HANGZHOU, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) — As hearts met and goals shone over the previous seven days, the 4th Asian Para Games closed right here on Saturday night time.
3,021 athletes from 44 international locations and areas took half within the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, which marked the second time that China has hosted the continental para multi-sports occasion following its inaugural version in 2010. 468 athletes clinched not less than one medal, setting 21 new world information, 72 new Asian information and 283 Games information throughout 22 sports activities.
Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) president Majid Rashed and chairman of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation Cheng Kai attended the closing ceremony on the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium on Saturday night time.
“Through the tireless efforts of all parties, we have delivered on our promise to stage ‘two Games of equal splendor’. We will never forget the many fantastic moments where para athletes from 44 countries and regions in Asia chase their dreams and push their limits,” mentioned Cheng, who can be president of the Asian Para Games Hangzhou Organizing Committee (HAPGOC).
“They have shown tenacity and the sportsmanship of unity, friendship, fair play and competition, and set one record after another. Their brilliant scoreboard testified to the value and meaning of life, and touched our hearts and our souls,” he added.
Rashed declared the 4th Asian Para Games closed, and praised the Games as “surpassing expectation.”
“I said that I thought this would be the biggest and best Asian Para Games ever, but it has surpassed my expectations,” Rashed mentioned in his speech.
“To the Chinese government and HAPGOC, thank you for your leadership and your commitment to making these Games such a success. Everything that has been done with such dedication, such care and such diligence,” the APC president famous. “These truly have been two Games of equal splendor.”
Rashed expressed his gratitude to the athletes for the inspirations they’ve introduced, including “you have shown the world that there are no limits to what can be achieved with determination and courage. All of this shows that the Paralympic Movement in Asia is getting stronger.”
Led by Afghanistan, the flags of the taking part international locations and areas entered the stadium adopted by parade of athlete representatives, with spectators paying tribute with applause and chants.
Swimmer Jiang Yuyan, who received a document seven gold medals and one bronze medal in Hangzhou, served because the flagbearer for the Chinese delegation on the closing ceremony.
After reducing the APC flag and enjoying the APC anthem, Hangzhou mayor Yao Gaoyuan handed over the flag to Rashed, who entrusted it to Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Aichi prefecture and Hideo Nakata, deputy mayor of Nagoya, the host metropolis of the 2026 Asian Para Games.
The closing ceremony reached its pinnacle when an 8,000-year-old canoe dubbed as “first canoe of China” appeared on the middle stage.
Two hearing-impaired youngsters together with a non-disabled little one rode the canoe in the direction of the cauldron, implying that youngsters with goals will finally notice their goals, accompanied and supported by love.
Echoing with the opening ceremony, a digital “Divine Bird” from the native Liangzhu Culture hovered across the stadium and waved its wings gently, bidding farewell to the Asian Para Games cauldron with affection. The chook then changed into the mascot of the Hangzhou Asian Para Games “Fei Fei” and blew out the cauldron.
China was represented by 439 athletes in 390 occasions of twenty-two sports activities. They set 12 new world information and 36 Asian information. After profitable 214 golds, 167 silvers and 140 bronzes, China secured its finest document at an Asian Para Games and completed atop the medal tally for the fourth consecutive version.
Iran and Japan sit second and third within the tally with 44-46-41 and 42-49-52 respectively. 33 international locations and areas claimed not less than one medal, equaling the document in 2018, whereas Yemen, Nepal and Kyrgyzstan received their first ever medal on the Asian Para Games.
Canoe and taekwondo made their debut on the Asian Para Games, whereas Chinese athletes took half in garden bowls, chess and Go for the primary time in Hangzhou.