While the Asian Games 2018 were grand and spectacular, all the hype has apparently overshadowed another Olympic-style event that is not any less thrilling. The Asian Para Games 2018 have just started, and it has been an epic journey so far. From a grand firework show to epic details about each medal, the Games are bound to be an extraordinary event worth remembering this year. For this, reason, we have gathered a list of five major things you may have missed out so far about the event.
What is it?
Photo: Courtesy of INAPGOC
For those who are not so familiar with this type of event, the Asian Para Games 2018 are the first major multi-sport event open for Asian athletes with a range of disabilities, and they are held in and around Jakarta. They are an opportunity for some of the most renowned Asian paralympic athletes to shine and show the world what they’re missing. There are 18 sports in the event, including archery, boccia, para swimming, wheelchair fencing, and many others.
Grand opening ceremony
Photo: Courtesy of INAPGOC
If you think the Asian Games 2018 opening ceremony couldn’t get any better, then Asian Para Games 2018 opening ceremony wasn’t far behind. With a spectacular blazing red firework show and scenic traditional dance performances to marching athletes from different countries, the opening ceremony screamed out loud how promising the Games would be.
Asian records shattered
Photo: Courtesy of INAPGOC
Even though the event has just started, a new record that shattered the Asian record in para swimming has just been set. Clocking in at 4 minutes and 9.23 seconds, Uzbekistan gold-winning swimmer Dmitriy Horlin outclassed his compatriot Islamic Aslanov, who earned silver, and Genki Saito from Japan who received bronze.
Indonesian athletes
Photo: Courtesy of INAPGOC
With these para games, Indonesia is confident that it will win even more gold medals in addition to its tally in the Asian Games 2018. While the first gold medal for Indonesia has been snatched by shot put athlete Suparniyati, other athletes have looked promising as well. Senior athletes such as Abdul Halim Dalimunte and Setiyo Budihartonto are expected to score medals in the para athletics, as well as in other tournaments with leading athletes such as David Jacobs, Agus Susanto, and Suryo Nugroho.
Beyond the medals
Photo: Courtesy of INAPGOC
From afar, a medal is a medal—a symbol of pride and victory. But in the case of the Asian Para Games, they are more than that. Each is embossed in braille letters that can help vision-impaired athletes to easily recognise the type of medal they are getting and all medals contain beads that produce sound when they are shaken—and each medal has different number of beads inside. Gold medals have 26, silver have 20, while bronze medals have 16. How awesome is that?
See also: 7 Facts About Hangzhou As Host Of Asian Games 2022
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