Historic Medals and New Records Take Center Stage On Day Two of APG 2022

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.