Japan and Iran lead Asian Youth Para Games

Young Japanese Para athletes are leading the way at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), which reached its half-way point on 12 December.

Japan holds 23 gold medals, ahead of Iran with 17. The medal tally takes into account two sessions of Para swimming and one Para athletics and powerlifting competitions.

Japan and Iran are the two largest teams at the Games with 89 and 116 athletes respectively. Japan have shown strong performances particularly in swimming, where the country owns 14 gold medals. Iran have shown their strength however in athletics and powerlifting.

Finals in boccia, goalball, table tennis and badminton are also contested.

Host UAE have captured four medals (two golds, one silver, one bronze).

These are the third Asian Youth Para Games and have had the largest number of athletes (800) from 30 countries taking part in the largest number of sports with seven.

Outside of sport competition, the young Para athletes have been given the chance to take part in Proud Paralympian workshops. These have been delivered via a grant by the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). Anti-doping education has also been given through a collaboration between the Japanese Anti-doping Agency and the Asian Paralympic Committee.

More information can be found on the Asian Paralympic Committee’s website.