Asian Para Games close with smiles as flag passes from Japan to Doha

Photo: collected

The closing ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games began on Saturday with a dance performance led by the event mascot, Uzumin, followed by the parade of athletes from participating countries and regions.

Japan's team entered last, led by flag bearer Akito Minai, who won three gold medals in the S10 class of para swimming for athletes with physical impairments. The crowd cheered as the athletes entered, and they responded with smiles.

The ceremony also featured the handover of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) flag to Doha, host of the next Asian Para Games in 2030. Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura, head of the Aichi-Nagoya Games organising committee, handed the flag to a representative of the Doha Games, and Qatar's national flag was raised.

The ceremony concluded with a performance inspired by wabi, a Japanese tea ceremony concept emphasising simplicity and transience. Water was boiled over the sacred flame, followed by a dance depicting fire and water. The flame was then extinguished to the sound of rain.

The performance symbolised how the flame, even after being extinguished, could become hot water for chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony, warming people and providing energy for the future.

Fans congratulate athletes

Throughout the Games, events celebrating medal winners and other para athletes were held daily in central Nagoya. The events proved popular, prompting organisers to hold an additional gathering on Saturday despite it not being on the schedule.

Athletes from para athletics, para swimming and wheelchair basketball took part as fans congratulated them with the Japanese word "omedeto", meaning congratulations.

"We'd like to work together as a team toward the Los Angeles [Paralympic Games]," Kotaro Ogiwara, captain of Japan's national para swimming team, said at the event.

Source: Japan News (YS)