Winning start for team China

With just two minutes remaining, Zhang Jiabin broke through Japan's defense to score the decisive goal in China's 1-0 victory over the hosts on Friday, giving the Chinese blind soccer team a strong start at the fifth Asian Para Games.

The dramatic finish set the tone for the competition that celebrates not only athletic achievement, but also resilience, teamwork and the determination to push beyond perceived limits.

As the Games officially opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, thousands of para athletes from across the continent gathered to compete for medals while challenging stereotypes about disability and demonstrating how sports can bring people together.

"We compete fiercely. We compete fairly. That is the beauty of sport," said Majid Rashed, president of the Asian Paralympic Committee, at the opening ceremony.

"Every athlete can give a young person watching from the stands or from home the courage to dream differently," he said.

The ceremony's theme, "WABI — We Are Beautiful Individuals", celebrated the unique strengths and differences of individuals, bringing people together across disability, nationality and culture, according to the organizers.

Apart from medal standings, the Games emphasize the potential to change perceptions about disability, break down barriers and advance a society in which everyone has equal opportunities and is respected and valued, Rashed said.

Li Yujie, one of the flagbearers for the Chinese delegation at the opening ceremony, will compete in the women's taekwondo event and fight for the gold medal. "What I want to demonstrate is the strength of para athletes who are unafraid of difficulties and willing to challenge themselves," Li said.

She also expressed hope that her experience will encourage more people with disabilities to take part in sports and discover their own potential. "I hope more people can see that sport has no boundaries. Whatever our physical conditions, we can gain confidence through sport and find something we truly love," she said.

For China, the Games are an opportunity to measure the progress of its para sports programs while preparing a new generation of athletes to take on greater responsibilities. The Chinese delegation has fielded a combination of experienced competitors and newcomers, with several teams working to ensure a smooth transition between generations, it said.

Zhang Bian, a veteran para table tennis player who defeated Thailand's Panwas Sringam 3-0 in the women's singles Class 4-5 Group C competition on Saturday, said her role has moved beyond winning matches. "My work in passing the baton to the next generation is not finished, so I cannot step aside just yet," she said.

"What I would rather see is more young players coming through, so I can support them from behind rather than always having to lead the way."

That sense of responsibility is also evident in China's wheelchair basketball team, which is using the tournament to gain experience for younger players despite a difficult start against Japan on Friday.

Huang Xunan, the team's captain and one of its older players, said the focus was on long-term development rather than immediate results.

"The process is more important than the result. We have a lot of new players who have just started. We are using this experience to improve our skills and level of performance," Huang said, adding that he hoped the younger players can improve for the future.

For 23-year-old wheelchair fencer Wang Jicheng, this will be his first time competing at the Asian Para Games and he saw it as a chance to test himself against some of the continent's best athletes.

Wang said senior teammates regularly shared technical advice and helped him refine his movements and skills, giving him a clearer idea of what it takes to compete at the highest level. "Seeing their abilities has also strengthened my ambitions," he said.

Wang expressed a determination to improve with every competition and eventually reach the Paralympic Games, setting himself a goal that went beyond his debut in Nagoya.

The Games will continue through Saturday, with more than 300 athletes from the Chinese delegation expected to compete in 335 events across 17 sports.