Asian Para Games 2026: Malaysia's contingent chases six golds in Nagoya as Games enter first week
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games run 18-24 October. Malaysia target six golds across 10 sports, with Anwar Ibrahim backing the team.
Malaysia's athletes are competing at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, which opened on Sunday 18 October and run until Saturday 24 October. The team's target is six gold medals, according to Bernama.
China led the table after the first full day of medals on Monday 19 October. No Malaysian result was confirmed at the time of writing. Japan is one hour ahead of Malaysia, so evening sessions in Nagoya end late at night here.
The Malaysian target
Chef de mission Tan Chee Keong set the goals at a press conference at Bukit Jalil. Malaysia aims for six golds and ten silvers, along with a larger number of bronzes. Reports differ on the exact bronze figure, so it is not given here.
Bernama reported that the gold hopes lie in athletics, badminton and boccia. Malaysia is entered in 10 of the 18 sports: boccia, archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, powerlifting, shooting, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair tennis.
Anwar sends a message
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wished the contingent well in a Facebook post on 16 October. He asked the athletes to show fighting spirit, courage and determination, and said Malaysians stood firmly behind them.
Opening ceremony
T37 long jumper Muhammad Nazmi Nasri carried the Jalur Gemilang at the opening ceremony, held at the main athletics stadium in Nagoya. The Games feature 508 medal events across 18 sports, with 45 national committees expected.
Day one around the Games
China won 14 of the 23 golds in swimming on day one. It led the overall table with 26 golds, ahead of Japan with eight and Uzbekistan with six. Japan's first gold came from judoka Shizuka Hangai, 38, in the women's J1 -52kg class. India's Mona Agarwal won the R2 women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, beating Avani Lekhara.
Looking ahead to 2027
Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari visited Aichi and Nagoya officials on the sidelines. Malaysia wants to learn how Japan involves disabled people in testing facilities before the Games, ahead of the 14th ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur from 17 to 23 October 2027. The SEA Games are in Malaysia from 18 to 29 September 2027.
Key takeaways
- The Asian Para Games run from 18 to 24 October in Aichi-Nagoya.
- Malaysia targets six golds across athletics, badminton and boccia, among other sports.
- China led the table after the first full day of medals.
- Malaysia is studying Japan's accessibility approach before hosting the 2027 ASEAN Para Games.
FAQ
Q: When do the Asian Para Games end?
The closing ceremony is on 24 October 2026.
Q: How many golds does Malaysia want?
The target is six golds and ten silvers, plus a number of bronzes.
Q: Who carried the Malaysian flag?
T37 long jumper Muhammad Nazmi Nasri.
Sources: Bernama, Media Selangor, International Paralympic Committee, Wikipedia, Sukanz