Current Affairs

Successful Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Games
24-9-09

The Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games finished last weekend after three days of intense athletic performances in Japan’s capital.

Being the largest Games for youth athletes with a disability in the Asian region, a total of 466 athletes and 339 staff from 29 different countries and territories participated in the events. Highlighting the competitions, new world records were set by Meng Genjimisu of China in Athletics (Women’s F40 Discus) and Yip Xiu Pin of Singapore in Swimming (Women’s Backstroke S3 50m). Pin had set the previous World record and won the gold medal in the event at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Pin said that she hope to continue her Swimming career at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and once again set a new World record.

In the Table Tennis competition, Japan took the gold medal in the Men’s team event (class 7-8) with athletes Masachika Inoue and Takumi Shukunobe, against Wan Chung Law from Hong Kong, China, and Hossein Golmirzaei from Iran. In the Women’s team event (class 3-5), Iran took the gold medal with athletes Maryam Gilanilarimi, Marzieh Akhavan Hariri and Maryam Alizadehmehdimahaleh.

In the Goalball team competition, Iran took the gold medal, while Thailand took the silver and both Japan and Korea took the bronze.

President of Asian Paralympic Committee, Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin said that "It was an exceptional event from 11th to 13th September 2009 with exceptional people full of amusing and touching human and sporting stories. He added that the event had sporting excellence and competition combined with competitive harmony, good humour, innovation and inspiration. He also added that APC had created a platform for these youth athletes to take part in international events and APC will continue in its pursuit to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the APC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality"

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven was also in Japan attending the event. The Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games took place from 11-13 September, with a total of six different Paralympic sports played including Athletics, Boccia, Goalball, Swimming, Table Tennis and Wheelchair Tennis. Each sport had a competition everyday during the event.

The Opening Ceremony was officially graced by Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan.

Organized by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) and the Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games Organizing Committee (TAYPOC), the age range of the athletes was between 14-19 years old. Venues used included the Kasumigaoka National Stadium, Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Centre and the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. The competition venues had also been used in various international sporting events in the past.

The Tokyo 2009 Asian Youth Para Games is an international sports event that will have the participation of young people with a disability from all over Asia. The athletes will also have their sights on the London 2012 Paralympic Games, as they use this event as a preparation.

For more information, please contact APC Media at info@paralympic.org.my

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