Asian Para Games: Blind football captain seeks payback against China

From Kyodo

October 13 2026

TOKYO – Japan captain Ryo Kawamura has vowed to win men’s blind football gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games and avenge a loss to China in April’s Asian Championship final that denied his team an automatic berth at the Los Angeles Paralympics.

The 37-year-old Kawamura created several chances with his dribbling in the final in Osaka but failed to score in the 1-0 defeat. The veteran said he felt his “lack of ability.”

Having grappled with his feelings of disappointment, he turned his focus to the Asian Para Games.

Blind football is a five-a-side sport in which outfield players are visually impaired and wear eyeshades, while goalkeepers are sighted. Players rely on the sound of the ball, footsteps and instructions from guides to navigate the pitch.

Kawamura began playing during his university days after an illness in childhood impaired his vision. He has served as Japan’s captain for more than a decade.

“The environment has changed dramatically over the past 10 years,” Kawamura said.

A dedicated ground was established in Tokyo, spurred by the city’s hosting of the Paralympics in 2021, helping strengthen the team, which rose to third in the world rankings.

Japan will again target a place at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics at an international qualifying tournament next year, with the Asian Para Games serving as the first step.

Kawamura hopes large crowds will come out to support the host nation. “I want people to enjoy it as entertainment and create an extraordinary space,” he said.