On the closing day of the Asian Para Games, Japanese athletes excelled on the track, while Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea demonstrated their prowess in table tennis.

In an intense battle during the women’s doubles-Class WD22 table tennis event, Hong Kong’s Wong Ting-ting and Ng Mui-wui triumphed over the Japanese team with a 3-2 victory. Despite Hong Kong’s initial lead in the first match (11-5), the Japanese team mounted a comeback, winning the next two matches with scores of 12-10, 12-10. However, the resilience and strong strategy of Mui Wui and Ting Ting secured the final two matches with scores of 13-11 and 11-7. Chinese Taipei’s Li Jing-Shiuan and Li Lydia Yi-ya, along with Hong Kong’s Wong Ka Man and Wong Pui Kei, claimed the bronze medals.

In the Men’s Doubles MD22, the Republic of Korea’s Kim Gi Tae and Kim Chang Gi demonstrated their strength by defeating their Japanese opponents, Takeshi Takemori and Kato Koya, with a decisive 3-0 win.

Kim Gi Tae expressed his satisfaction with the victory, stating,

“Because I put in a lot of effort in training before the match, I achieved great results today. I have no regrets about today’s game.”

Despite missing the gold in singles at APG, Kim Gi Tae is determined to replicate his performance at Andalusia 2022 during Paris 2024 and secure all three gold medals.

In the T20 1500m events, Japanese runners dominated both the men’s and women’s podiums. In the women’s category, Japan’s Yamamoto Moeko clinched the gold with a time of 4:56.60, followed by her compatriot, Ari Misaki (5:24.57).

India’s Pooja, making her debut at the para games, secured her first medal, a bronze (5:38.81), adding to the medal haul of India.

https://twitter.com/Media_SAI/status/1718110032661717155

In the men’s race, OKAWACHI Kenta and NAKAGAWA Daisuke, representing Japan, engaged in a fierce competition, with Okawachi narrowly claiming the title by a mere 0:01.23 seconds. Muhamad Nurdin BIN Ibrahim from Malaysia secured the third place.

The remarkable accomplishments of these Asian athletes serve as a testament to their unwavering dedication and relentless hard work. Virtus congratulates and extends heartfelt gratitude to these exceptional individuals for setting new standards and inspiring athletes worldwide.

The second day of the Asian Para Games 2022 witnessed a fascinating turn of events, marked by India and Saudi Arabia clinching their inaugural medals in events tailored for athletes with intellectual impairments. Additionally, the day was punctuated by the shattering of more records.

Swimming

100m Backstroke was underway at the pool today for the S14 class at the HOC Aquatic Sports Arena.

In the thrilling Men’s showdown, Japanese sensation Naohide Yamaguchi, Lee Inkook from South Korea, and Bin Muhammad Redzuan representing Malaysia engaged in an exhilarating neck-and-neck battle. In the end, Naohide clinched the gold with a new APG record (1:00.61), leaving Lee Inkook with the silver (1:01.41) and Bin Muhammad Redzuan securing the bronze (1:02.98).

“I think it is a great pleasure to be a part of such a international event. With such event, people can use sports to break the walls between nations”, Naohide told APG on participating at APG2022.

The Women’s event witnessed a fierce rivalry between Yui Lam Chan (HKG) and Aira Kinoshita (JPN). Yui Lam surged ahead, snatching the gold by a mere 0.91 seconds, while Thailand’s Khajhonmatha Nattharinee (1:13.04) secured the last spot on the podium.

The day concluded with a spectacular display of team spirit in the mixed 4×100 Freestyle Relay. Team Japan, featuring Aira Kinoshita, Naohide Yamaguchi, Inoue Mami, and Keichi Nakajima, demonstrated flawless teamwork, emerging as champions by defeating strong competitors from Hong Kong and the Republic of Korea. Japan also set new records, smashing both Asian and APG records with an impressive 3:53.63 seconds

Athletics

Team India celebrated a historic day on the track, with Jeevanji Deepthi securing the nation’s first APG medal in the T20 category. She stunned the crowd and her competitors by smashing both Asian and APG records with a remarkable time of 56.69 seconds in the T20 Women’s 400m. Kaising Orawan from Thailand gave a stellar performance, achieving her personal best time of 59.00 seconds and claiming the silver medal, while Kanno Niina from Japan settled for the bronze.

In the Men’s Long Jump event, Paralympic Champion Abdul Latif Romly from Malaysia dominated the scoreboard from his very first attempt. However, he solidified his lead in the fourth attempt, covering a remarkable distance of 7.18m and securing the gold. Saudi Arabia celebrated its first APG medal in the T20/F20 event as Dawshi Hassan Nasser clinched the silver with a jump of 6.80m. Bin Abdullah Zulkifly from Malaysia completed the podium by winning the bronze.

Malaysian throwers showcased their prowess in the F20 Men’s Shot-Put, with Bin Zolkefli Mihammad Ziyad emerging as the undisputed champion, recording a winning distance of 16.65m. Bin Mohamad Awi Mohamad Aliff, also from Malaysia, faced a tough challenge from Sanepoot Boonkong from Thailand in the battle for the silver medal. Mohamad Aliff displayed his strength and precision, defeating Sanepoot by a mere 0.08m to secure second place on the podium.

Table Tennis

The Class11 athletes battled fiercely in the Quarterfinal matches at the GSP Gymnasium.

Women’s Quarterfinals:

In Match 1, Wada Natsuki (JPN) triumphed over Seo YangHee (KOR) with a score of 3-0.

Match 2 witnessed ITO Maki (JPN) facing a formidable opponent in NG Mui Wui (HKG), who secured victory with a score of 3-0.

Furukawa Kanami (JPN) dominated Match 3, defeating Li Jing Shiuan (TPE) with a perfect score of 3-0.

In Match 4, Li Lydia Yi-Ya (TPE) encountered an impressive Wong Ting Ting (HKG), who secured a convincing 3-0 victory.

Men’s Quaterfinals:

Match 1 featured a remarkable performance by Chen Po Yen (TPE), who maintained an undefeated record by defeating Techo Master Narawit (THA) with a score of 3-0.

Match 2 witnessed Kato Koya (JPN) facing a tough challenge from Kim Chang Gi (KOR), who secured victory with a score of 3-0.

Match 3 delivered an intense battle between Japan’s Takeshi Takemori and Malaysia’s Ahmad Jennah Jennahtul Fahmi. Both athletes won two sets of games, leading to a deciding match. Takeshi emerged victorious with a score of 3-2.

Match 4 saw Asano Takashi competing against South Korea’s Kim Gi Tae, with Kim securing a 3-1 victory.

Schedule and live results can be accessed from Hangzhou 2022 website.

In a momentous stride towards celebrating diversity and providing equal opportunities, the Australian Open 2023 orchestrated its groundbreaking All Abilities Day on January 24th earlier this year, heralding an era of inclusivity.

After the resounding success of its debut, Tennis Australia proudly presents the Australian Open 2024 PWII Championships, heralding a significant comeback to Melbourne Park for the world’s elite competitors.

Tennis Australia warmly invites athletes of the II1 competition class to join the ranks of the Australian Open 2024, reaffirming their unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse sporting landscape.

The All Abilities Day stands as a testament to our commitment to recognizing the myriad inclusive facets of tennis. It beckons individuals with varying abilities, encompassing vision, hearing, mobility, sensory, and intellectual disabilities, to revel in the grandeur of the Australian Open within a secure and all-encompassing environment.

In the first edition, over 40 players with intellectual impairment from across 14 countries competed at the event, with Virtus elites Anna Mcbride, Hanne Laveryson, Kelly Wren, Fabrice Higgins, Mitchel James and Archie Graham making an appearance. Virtus hopes to see some new names and more entries in this edition.

“The Australian Open Championships for players with an Intellectual Impairment  provides a fantastic opportunity for our Virtus players to get high quality competition alongside the World’s top players who are competing in the Australian Open Grand Slam event”, says Lelsey Whitehead, Virtus Tennis director.

Sharing the same hallowed courts with tennis luminaries like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and many more is a profound morale-boost for athletes with intellectual impairments.

Scheduled from January 26th to 28th, 2024, these championships promise an unparalleled experience. With limited slots available, we urge all aspiring athletes to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and complete the online entry form by October 22, 2023.

Contact Tennis Australia at ‘[email protected]‘ for further details about tournament of visa related queries.

Key notes from Tennis Australia:

• Completing the online entry form DOES NOT guarantee a spot into the event
• Draw Sizes: 8 Men & 8 Women (top 6 based on VIRTUS singles rankings + 2 wildcards)
• Acceptance lists will be communicated via email to all who entered
• Detailed Fact Sheet will be shared with accepted players soon after the deadline

As part of a thrilling global celebration of the Paralympic Day, the International Paralympic Committee made an exciting announcement. Stoke Mandeville, the historic birthplace of Paralympic sport, will play a vital role in all future Paralympic Torch Relays, commencing with the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

This innovative concept, developed in collaboration between the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), ParalympicsGB, and WheelPower, aims to elevate global awareness of the historical significance of Stoke Mandeville and the invaluable contributions made by Sir Ludwig Guttmann to the genesis and progression of the Paralympic Movement.

Stoke Mandeville, recently celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games, played a significant role in commencing the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay. Since the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, this historic birthplace of the Paralympic Movement has been the venue for Heritage Flame Lighting events at each Paralympic Games edition. The Heritage Flame kindled here has contributed to the creation of the Paralympic Flame in the host country.

In a tradition reminiscent of the Olympic Flame’s origin in Olympia, Greece, the plan now entails Stoke Mandeville as the birthplace of the Paralympic Flame, signifying the commencement of the Paralympic Torch Relay.

Stoke Mandeville initiates an exciting weekend of countdown celebrations for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. On October 8th, Paris hosted Paralympic Day at the Place de la République, featuring performances in 14 Para sports and the presence of numerous esteemed Paralympians. The Paralympic Day served as a prelude to the launch of Paralympic Games ticket sales, starting on October 9th, with 2.8 million tickets available without a ballot on the tickets.paris2024.org platform.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, emphasized the significance of this moment, stating,

“It is fitting that 75 years on from those historic first Stoke Mandeville Games and on the eve of ticket sales for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we are announcing that Stoke Mandeville will play an even greater role in all future editions of the Paralympic Games.”

He continued, “The Paralympic Movement owes Stoke Mandeville and Sir Ludwig Guttmann a tremendous debt of gratitude. What began as a small-scale sport event in 1948 at the back of a rehabilitation hospital for 16 injured war veterans has now evolved into the world’s third-largest sporting event. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, 4,350 exceptional athletes from 180 countries will compete in 22 sports, with a cumulative global audience of 4.1 billion watching on TV.”

“Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s pioneering techniques revolutionized the world of sports, a value that remains at the core of the IPC today. With this innovative approach to flame lighting, we aim to pay tribute to the rich history of the Paralympic Movement while underscoring the remarkable evolution of the Paralympic Games since its inception in Rome, Italy, in 1960.

“Today, the Paralympic Games have grown into a spectacular sporting event, serving as the premier global platform that places individuals with disabilities at the forefront. The transformative legacies left by these Games, both in the host country and on a global scale, are genuinely impressive and play a pivotal role in advancing a more inclusive world for all.”

Athletes with Intellectual Impairment at Paralympic Games

Following the standard Paralympic Games in Madrid, Spain, the inaugural Paralympic Games for individuals with mental disabilities were conducted from September 15th to September 22nd. Athletes from over 70 countries competed at the games. Later, a demonstration programme for athletes with an intellectual impairment was included at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games.

Today, more than 150 athletes with an intellectual impairment compete in the Paralympic Games. In Tokyo 2020, new World and Paralympic records were established in eight of the eleven para-swimming events within the S14 class and in four out of the eight para-athletics events in the T20/F20 class.

About Stoke Mandeville and the Paralympic Movement

In 1944, responding to a request from the British Government, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann established a spinal injuries center at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain. Over time, what began as rehabilitation sport transformed into recreational and then competitive sport.

On July 29, 1948, coinciding with the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Dr. Guttmann organized the inaugural competition for wheelchair athletes, known as the Stoke Mandeville Games. This historic event involved 16 injured servicemen and women participating in archery.

The Stoke Mandeville Games later evolved into the Paralympic Games, which made its debut in Rome, Italy, in 1960, featuring 319 athletes from 21 countries. Subsequently, these Games have been held every four years.

Guttmann’s legacy lives on through the Paralympic Movement, demonstrating his belief that individuals with disabilities can attain elite levels in sports while leveraging sports and physical activity to enhance their health and well-being.