The Asian Para Games, also known as Para Asiad, is a multi-sport event regulated by the Asian Paralympic Committee that's held every four years after every Asian Games for athletes with physical disabilities. Both events had adopted the strategy used by the Olympic and Paralympic Games of having both games in the same city. However, the exclusion of Asian Para Games from Asian Games host city contract meant that both events ran independently of each other. The Games are recognized by the International Paralympic Committee and are described as the second largest multi-sport event after the Paralympic Games.
In its history, three nations have hosted the Asian Para Games and forty-four nations have participated in the Games.
The most recent Games was held in Hangzhou, China between 22 and 28 October 2023. The next Games are scheduled to be held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan from 18 to 24 October 2026.
History The FESPIC Games existed previous to the Asian Para Games and was contested by athletes from the Asia Pacific region. The FESPIC Games was first held in 1975 in Oita, Japan with 18 participating nations. Eight more FESPIC Games were held until 2006.
The Asian Para Games superseded the FESPIC Games, which was dissolved alongside the FESPIC Federation, the governing body of the games and merged with the Asian Paralympic Council which was renamed as the Asian Paralympic Committee at the closing of the final FESPIC edition held in November 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The first Asian multi-sports event for athletes with a disability, the inaugural Asian Para Games was held in 2010 in Guangzhou, China.
Although there is the idea of holding the Asian and the Asian Para Games in the same city as happening on the Olympics and the Paralympics, to this day there is no mention of the Para Asian Games in the contract for the host city of the Asian Games, which means that the events could be held completely separately and without any connection. Both events ran independently of each other and could be organized by different Organising Committees in different cities.
Editions
EditionYearHostGames dates / Opened byNationsCompetitorsSportsEvents12010 Guangzhou 12 - 19 DecemberVice Premier Li Keqiang412,4051934122014 Incheon 18 - 24 OctoberPrime Minister Chung Hong-won412,4972344332018 Jakarta 6 - 13 OctoberPresident Joko Widodo432,7571850642022 Hangzhou 22 - 28 October 2023Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang443,1002250152026 Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya 18 - 24 OctoberFuture event18492Future event62030 DohaFuture event72034 RiyadhFuture event Notes:
Ranking
YearRanking by Medals1232010 2014 2018 2022
Sports
27 Sports were presented in Asian Para Games history, including 2010 Asian Para Games to 2022 Asian Para Games.
Number Event 2010 2014 2018 2022 2026 Core Sports1Para Archery at the Asian Para Games 2Para Athletics at the Asian Para Games 3Para Cycling at the Asian Para Games 4Para Shooting at the Asian Para Games 5Para Swimming at the Asian Para Games Boat Sports6Para Canoeing at the Asian Para Games 7Para Rowing at the Asian Para Games 8Para Sailing at the Asian Para Games Combat Sports9Fencing at the Asian Para Games 10Judo at the Asian Para Games 11Taekwondo at the Asian Para Games Team Sports12Wheelchair Basketball at the Asian Para Games 13Blind Football at the Asian Para Games 14CP Football at the Asian Para Games 15Goalball at the Asian Para Games 16Wheelchair Rugby at the Asian Para Games 17Sitting volleyball at the Asian Para Games Racket Sports18Para Badminton at the Asian Para Games 19Wheelchair Tennis at the Asian Para Games 20Table Tennis at the Asian Para Games Bowl Sports21Boccia at the Asian Para Games 22Bowling at the Asian Para Games 23Lawn Bowls at the Asian Para Games Adversary Sports24Chess at the Asian Para Games 25Go at the Asian Para Games 26Powerlifting at the Asian Para Games 27Wheelchair Dance Sport at the Asian Para Games
Para Archery (2010–2022)
Para Athletics (2010–2022) Source:Results Hangzhou
Para Cycling (2010–2022)
Source:Results Hangzhou Results Hangzhou Results Hangzhou
Para Shooting Sporting (2010–2022) Source (NPC Profile):Results Hangzhou Results Hangzhou
Para Swimming (2010–2022) Source (NPC Profile):Results Hangzhou Results Hangzhou Results Hangzhou
Para Canoeing (2022)
Para Rowing (2010–2022) Source:Results Hangzhou Results Hangzhou
Para Sailing (2014)
Wheelchair Fencing (2010–2022) Source:Results Hangzhou
Blind Judo (2010–2022)
Para Taekwondo (2022)
Wheelchair Basketball (2010–2022)
Blind Football (2010–2022)
CP Football (2010–2014)
Goalball (2010–2022)
Wheelchair Rugby (2014)
Sitting Volleyball (2010–2022)
Para Badminton (2010–2022)
Wheelchair Tennis (2010–2022)
Para Table Tennis (2010–2022)
Boccia (2010–2022) Source:
Ten Pin Para Bowling (2010–2018)
Para Lawn Bowls (2014–2022) Source (NPC Profile):Results Hangzhou Results Hangzhou
Blind Chess (2018–2022) Source:Results Hangzhou
Powerlifting (2010–2022)
Wheelchair Dance Sport (2014)
Mascots
The Asian Para Games mascots are fictional characters, usually an animal native to the area or human figures, who represent the cultural heritage of the place where the Asian Para Games are taking place. The mascots are often used to help market the Asian Para Games to a younger audience. Every Asian Para Games has its own mascot. Fun Fun, the mascot for the 2010 Asian Para Games was the first mascot.
Games City Mascot Character Significance2010 Asian Para GamesGuangzhouFun FunCharacter inspired by kapokA flower which is native to Guangzhou, represents strength, joy and vitality of the athletes and the Asian Para movement.2014 Asian Para GamesIncheonJeonopi and DnopiBlack-faced spoonbillChosen by organizers to highlight the games organiser commitment in environmental conservation. Jeonopi represents friendship with people in Asia and the world and the clean natural environment of host city Incheon, while Dnopi represents courage of the participating athletes and hope.2018 Asian Para GamesJakartaMomoBrahminy kite The Brahminy kite is locally known as Bondol eagle. The name Momo is short for motivation and mobility. The mascot wears a Betawinese Belt with Sarong and Represents Jakarta city and strength.2022 Asian Para GamesHangzhouFei FeiCharacter inspired by 'Divine Bird' The mascot represents Hangzhou's heritage and its drive for technological innovation. According to a legend in the Liangzhu culture, the 'Divine Bird' brings bliss.2026 Asian Para GamesNagoyaUzuminShachihokoUzumin reflects the hope that the athletes' passion will converge like a "whirlwind" in Aichi-Nagoya, and that the emotion born there will emerge like a spring and spread throughout Asia.
Medal table
Of the 45 National Paralympic Committees participating throughout the history of the Games, 39 nations have won at least a single medal in the competition, leaving 6 nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Maldives and Tajikistan yet to win a single medal. 32 nations have won at least one gold medal and China became the only nation in history to emerge as overall champions.
Asian Youth Para Games
The Asian Youth Para Games is a multi-sport event held every four years for youth athletes with physical disabilities. The first Games was held in 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The Asian Youth Para Games superseded the FESPIC Youth Games which last held in 2003. List of Youth Games
EditionYearHost cityHost nationNationsCompetitorsSportsEvents12009Tokyo 24466521922013Kuala Lumpur 26 October 30 October297231423532017Dubai 30800725242021Manama 30750922452025Dubai 351,3121149662029Phnom Penh Future event
Ranking YearRanking by Medals1232009 2013 2017 2021 2025
Youth Games Sports
Archery (2013, 2025) Arm wrestling (2025) Athletics (Since 2009) Badminton (since 2009) Boccia (since 2009) Bowling (2013) Chess (2013) Cycling Goalball (since 2013) Judo (2013) Paracanoe Powerlifting (since 2013, 2025) Rowing Swimming (since 2009) Table tennis (since 2009) Taekwondo (since 2021) Sitting volleyball (2013) Wheelchair tennis (2013) Wheelchair basketball (2013, 2021, 2025)
All-time Youth Games medal table (2009–2025)
See also Asian Games Paralympic Games African Para Games European Para Championships Parapan American Games
References
External links Asian Paralympic Committee