Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games competitions start ahead of opening ceremony

From Kyodo

October 16 2026

NAGOYA – Sporting action began at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games on Friday, two days before the opening ceremony, as Japan hosts the event for the first time.

Japan were beaten 1-0 by China in blind football, while in men’s wheelchair basketball, the host nation defeated China 76-38.

Table tennis and badminton also got underway in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan.

In table tennis, the oldest member of Japan’s delegation, 78-year-old Kimie Bessho, lost her opening match 0-3 to a Chinese opponent in the women’s class 4-5, for athletes with fair or normal sitting balance and fully functional arms and hands.

Around 3,000 athletes from over 40 countries and regions are set to participate in the fifth edition of the Asian Para Games, with Japan sending around 280 athletes across all 18 sports.

The opening ceremony will be held at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Sunday, with the closing ceremony set for Oct. 24.