Iran has potential to compete at 16 sports at 2026 Asian Para Games

TEHRAN – Iran has the potential to participate in 16 of the 18 sports featured at the 2026 Asian Para Games, officials confirmed during the first expert meeting of the fifth edition of the Games.

The session was held on Tuesday morning, 265 days ahead of the Nagoya Games, with the participation of officials and experts from the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the National Paralympic Committee. During the meeting, the committee’s policies and programs were reviewed, and assessments were made regarding Iran’s projected ranking, the number of quotas expected to be secured, and preparation camps for the Games.

The fifth Asian Para Games will be held from October 18 to 25, 2026, hosted by Japan in Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya.

Around 4,000 athletes from 45 countries are expected to compete in 18 sports, making the event the largest sporting festival for athletes with disabilities in Asia.

Iran, who finished runner-up at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games with 44 gold, 46 silver, and 41 bronze medals, are expected to face a tougher challenge in Nagoya. The removal of medal-winning sports such as rowing, canoeing, and chess by the host nation, along with increased investment and progress by countries such as Uzbekistan and India, has created a more competitive landscape.

The previous Games featured 3,780 athletes, but following the removal of five sports—kho kho, bowls, rowing, canoeing, and chess—the number of competitors in Nagoya has been reduced to 2,700. Notably, para canoeing and chess, which contributed six gold medals to Iran’s total at Hangzhou 2022, have been excluded from the upcoming Games.

In response, the National Paralympic Committee plans to send Iran’s delegation to Nagoya with a strategy focused on supporting athletes and teams with strong medal potential.

The sports included in the 2026 Asian Para Games are:

Para Taekwondo, Goalball, Para Cycling, Para Judo, Para Swimming, Para Powerlifting, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, Para Table Tennis, Para Athletics, Para Archery, Para Badminton, Blind Football, Boccia, and Para Shooting.

According to expert estimates by the National Paralympic Committee, Iran has a realistic chance of competing in 16 of these 18 sports. However, final decisions have not yet been made regarding wheelchair fencing, para cycling, para tennis, and para badminton, as participation depends on athletes reaching the required performance standards. There is also a possibility that Boccia may receive a wild card quota.

With eight months and 20 days remaining until the Games, 132 preparation camps have been held across various disciplines. Iranian athletes have already secured qualification in seven sports: blind football, para taekwondo, para archery, wheelchair basketball, goalball, sitting volleyball, and para table tennis.

Overall, the National Paralympic Committee has set a target of finishing among the top three nations at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya. While this goal may be adjusted as preparations continue, para athletics and para swimming, as in previous editions, are expected to play a decisive role in determining the final standings.