The 2026 Asian Para Games opened in Aichi-Nagoya on October 18 with the theme “WABI – We Are Beautiful Individuals”.
Tuoi Tre reported that the ceremony combined Japanese traditional arts, music and movement with a message celebrating individuality and inclusion.
Local culture in the ceremony
The programme drew on the idea of beauty in simple, natural and different forms.
The cauldron incorporated clay from the Seto, Tokoname and Sanshu pottery regions. The flame brought together contributions from 31 Aichi localities.
The source gives an approximate participation figure of 3,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories, competing in 18 sports across 502 medal events.
Those ceremony details marked the start of the Games rather than a sporting result.
Vietnam's competition continues
Vietnam's delegation has 36 members, including 21 athletes entered in athletics, swimming, powerlifting, table tennis and badminton.
Some competitions had already begun before the ceremony. The report lists early defeats for table tennis players Pham Minh Tuan and Nguyen Thi Hoa Phuong.
In badminton, Van Anh Tuan lost to South Korea's Kim Gi Yeon 21-18, 21-8.
Powerlifter Le Van Cong and swimmer Le Tien Dat are among the athletes mentioned as medal hopes. Their previous Games achievements provide context for expectations, not medals already won in 2026.
The event is scheduled to continue until October 24. Following the opening ceremony, attention turns to the remaining competition programme and Vietnam's performances across the five entered sports.