Held in Hangzhou, China, with over 3,000 para athletes from 44 countries competing in 502 medal events, the curtain came down with a spectacular closing ceremony and organisers claiming delight at what had been a hugely successful occasion.
During the week-long tournament a total of 20 world records, 71 Asian records and 279 Asian Games record were broken as athletes from all competing nations shone.
Thai athletes won 27 gold medals, 26 silver and 55 bronze to finish 7th overall in the medal table. Hosts China finished top of the table with 214 gold, 167 silver and 140 bronze; Iran finished in second place with 44 gold, 46 silver and 41 bronze, while Japan was third with 42 gold, 49 silver and 59 bronze.
Boccia was the sport where Thai athletes particularly shone to demonstrate the country’s dominance in the sport. Witsanu Huadpradit won the men’s individual BC1 finals against Kim Dohyun from the Republic of Korea, while Akkadej Choochuenklin triumphed in the men’s individual BC3 gold and Pornchok Larpyen won the men’s individual BC4 gold.
Elsewhere, in the taekwondo K44-47-kilogram competition, Thailand’s Khwansuda Phuangkitcha excelled to overcome world number-one-ranked Isakova Ziyodakhov from Uzbekistan to claim the gold medal.
Thai athletes dominated in the men’s wheelchair racing, with gold medals going to: Chaiwat Rattana in the T34 100 metres; Prawat Wahoram in the T54 5,000m and T54 1,500m; Athiwat Phaengnuea in the T54 100m and T54 400m; and Phongsakorn Paeyo in the T53 800m and T53 400m.
Sasirawan Inthachot won gold in the women’s T47 200m running event, while Jakkarin Dammunee won a gold in both the men’s T13 100m and 400m running events.
Anuson Chaichamnan claimed gold in the mixed 50m prone air rifle SH2 and Atidet Intanon won gold in the men’s 10m air rifle in the reclining position SH1.
The Thai team of Pipat Thongjapo, Chitiphat Charoenta, Yuenyong Khanthithao and Boonsiri won gold medals in the men’s sabre team wheelchair fencing, while Thai legend Saysunee Jana claimed gold in the women’s epee individual, category B wheelchair fencing.
Methini Wongchomphu won gold in the women’s B1 lawn bowls competition, while Anek Banjerdkitkul and Samorn Sombatdee did likewise in the mixed pairs B8 lawn bowls.
In curling, Somwang Chamnanpana won the women’s B6 category and compatriot Choochat Sukjarern won the men’s B7 contest.
Thai athletes also impressed in table tennis, with Wanchai Chaiwut claiming gold in the men’s Class 4, Rungroj Thainiyom winning the men’s Class 6 competition, Wanchai Chaiwut and Yuttajak Glinbancheun winning the men’s doubles Class MD8, Rungroj Thainiyom and Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri taking gold in the men’s doubles Class MD14, and Rungroj Thainiyom and Kalaya Chaiwut winning gold in the mixed doubles XD14 class.
A series of stirring performances closed out the tournament at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center on Saturday, as traditional dance displays were accompanied by traditional Chinese music.
President of the Asian Paralympic Committee Majid Rashed stated that the Games had surpassed expectations and had elevated the Asian Paralympic Movement to an altogether different level.
“Athletes, you have inspired us all with your performances and you have shown the world that there are no limits to what can be achieved with determination and courage,” said Mr Rashed.
“All of this shows that the Paralympic Movement in Asia is getting stronger. And as I’ve always said, ‘we are stronger together,’” he added.
Mr Rshed had particular praise for three countries who won their first ever medals at the Para Games, Yemen (bronze), Nepal (bronze) and Kyrgyzstan (one gold, two silver and one bronze).
The torch which had been lit throughout the duration of the Games was then exstinguished to mark the end of the tournament before the official flag for the Asian Para Games was handed by Hangzhou mayor Yao Gaoyuan over to Hideaki Ohmura, governor of Aichi prefecture and Hideo Nakata, deputy mayor of Nagoya, where the next edition of the Games will be hosted between Oct 14 and 22, 2026.