By Hishan Welmilla
With the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games approaching, the official torch relay is set to reach a major milestone with the Flame Gathering Ceremony scheduled for October 15 at Tsurumai Park Concert Hall. The ceremony will mark the culmination of a journey that has taken the Games’ flame through 31 municipalities across Aichi Prefecture.
The torch relay commenced on October 10 at the Welfare Village in Okazaki City, launching a symbolic journey celebrating unity, resilience and the determination of para athletes to overcome challenges. Yoshimi Kaji, a para canoeist who represented Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, was selected as the first torchbearer, giving the relay a memorable start.
The celebrations will continue with the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games on October 18 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Under the theme “WABI – We Are Beautiful Individuals / Different, Together,” the ceremony is expected to highlight individuality, inclusion and the strength of diversity.
The event will also showcase the cultural heritage of Aichi Prefecture. Its artistic programme will feature a specially crafted torch made using clay from three renowned pottery-producing areas—Seto, Tokoname and Sanshu. Traditional Japanese cultural elements, including oni (demon) figures associated with the Toyohashi Oni Festival, Takiyamaji Oni Festival and Shimoawashiro Hana Festival, will also form part of the presentation.
The 5th Asian Para Games will take place from October 18 to 24, bringing together approximately 3,000 athletes from more than 40 countries and regions. Competitors will participate in 18 para sports, including blind football, sitting volleyball and wheelchair rugby.
Beyond the sporting competition, the Games are expected to provide a significant platform for promoting inclusion, challenging perceptions of disability and celebrating the achievements of para athletes across Asia. The torch relay and its concluding ceremony represent the spirit of the event, bringing communities together ahead of a week of competition and inspiring performances.
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