Japan’s Nagoya city has officially opened the 2026 Asian Para Games, welcoming athletes from across Asia for one of the continent’s biggest multi-sport events for para-athletes. The opening ceremony took place on October 18 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, marking the formal start of the fifth edition of the Games.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open, while members of the Japanese Imperial Family and representatives from participating delegations attended the ceremony. The event celebrated sporting excellence, inclusion and the coming together of athletes from different countries and cultures.
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Athletes from 45 Countries and Regions
Around 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions are scheduled to participate in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. Japan has entered a delegation of approximately 280 athletes to compete on home ground.
The Games run until October 24, with competitions taking place across Aichi Prefecture and neighbouring Shizuoka Prefecture. A total of 18 para sports feature on the programme, offering athletes opportunities to compete at the highest level in their respective disciplines.
A Ceremony Celebrating Inclusion and Unity
The opening ceremony highlighted the values of individuality, inclusion and shared achievement. The event’s creative concept, “WABI — We Are Beautiful Individuals,” reflects the idea that differences in ability, nationality and culture can bring people together and create new possibilities.
Japanese para alpine skier Momoka Muraoka and fellow torchbearers took part in the final torch relay, while Japanese wheelchair tennis player Tokito Oda and others led the athletes’ oath.
Japan Hosts the Asian Para Games for the First Time
The 2026 edition marks the first time Japan has hosted the Asian Para Games. Nagoya and the wider Aichi region are welcoming athletes, officials and visitors for a week of competition and cultural exchange.
The event also continues a tradition that began with the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled, first held in Oita, Japan, in 1975. The first Asian Para Games were held in 2010, and the 2026 event is the fifth edition.
Japan Aims for a Record Medal Haul
As host nation, Japan is aiming to surpass its previous record of 198 medals, achieved at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta. Its athletes will compete across the 18 sports featured at the Nagoya Games.
The competition provides an opportunity for athletes to showcase years of training and preparation while raising the profile of para sports across Asia.
The opening of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya marks an important moment for para sports in Japan and across Asia. With athletes from 45 countries and regions competing until October 24, the Games bring together sporting ambition, cultural exchange and a shared commitment to inclusion.
As competition continues, the event will provide a platform for para-athletes to demonstrate their skill, determination and achievements on the continental stage.
