Guizhou athletes shine at 4th Asian Para Games

The Chinese delegation shows up at the opening ceremony of the 4th Asian Para Games. [Photo/ddcpc website]

The 4th Asian Para Games opened in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Oct 22.

Southwest China's Guizhou province had a total of 14 athletes selected for the Chinese delegation, who will participate in badminton, swimming, and shooting.

Five members from Guizhou appeared during the athlete's entrance at the opening ceremony.

The 4th Asian Para Games is the largest ever, with a total of 22 sports and 564 events. More than 3,000 athletes from over 40 countries and regions in Asia will take part.

The Chinese delegation for this Asian Para Games consists of 723 members, including 439 athletes who will participate in 397 events across all 22 sports.

Among them are eight swimmers, three badminton players, and three shooters from Guizhou. This is the most Guizhou athletes to ever participate in the Asian Para Games.

The events at the 4th Asian Para Games are related to the Paris Paralympic Games. Twelve of the 22 sports are qualification or point races for the Paris Paralympic Games.

The Chinese delegation has already secured qualification for 10 teams in nine events for the Paris Paralympic Games.

Since the first competition on Oct 19, five events, including badminton, have begun, and the remaining events will begin simultaneously on Oct 23.

Zhang Xianming, a Guizhou-born coach of the Chinese badminton team, said in an interview before the competition that training can help athletes enhance their muscle strength, improve flexibility and balance, and boost their self-confidence.

"Everyone is focused and serious during training, looking forward to the upcoming competitions," Zhang said.