33 of Team Singapore's athletes and officials attended the closing ceremony on Saturday (Oct 24) evening. Photo: SpexSG/ Dejbordin Limsupanark
As the curtains closed on the 5th Asian Para Games and the Games torch was handed over to 2030 hosts Qatar, Singapore’s 20-strong contingent can look back on a meaningful campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
The athletes rewrote nine national records across para swimming and shooting para sport and brought home a haul of six silvers and five bronzes, surpassing its eight-medal tally from the previous edition in Hangzhou.
Toh Wei Soong, already the most bemedalled Singaporean athlete at the Games after Hangzhou, clinched two silvers and three bronzes in Japan.
Chef de Mission Low See Lien and flagbearer James Ethan Ang represented Team Singapore at the flag procession at Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Saturday (Oct 24) night.
“Every athlete comes into a major Games with their own goals and expectations. Looking back, there are things we can be proud of and areas where we know we can do better,” said the 25-year-old.
“What matters is that we gave our best and made the most of the opportunity to compete against some of Asia’s finest athletes. I’m proud to have represented Singapore, and I’ll take the lessons from this experience with me as I continue to improve.”
A highlight reel of the Games, which featured 18 sports and 45 delegations, was screened as athletes and spectators relived the iconic moments and outstanding performances throughout the week-long competition.
Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) president Majid Rashed declared the Games closed as he handed over the APC flag to a representative from Qatar.
Team Singapore’s boccia athletes were some of the standout performers for the contingent, raking in four medals: three silvers and a bronze.
The previous Games medal in the sport came in 2018 when the trio of Nurulasyiqah Mohamad Taha, Toh Sze Ning and Faye Lim won silver.
The Games also provided a valuable platform for athletes to gain competitive exposure in a new class or sport and test themselves against Asia’s best.
Having been reclassified to the S11 class earlier this year, swimmer Sophie Soon said: “Wearing blackout goggles is definitely not an easy task, but it's just something that, in this new class, I just have to learn to manage.”
Returning to the Games after missing the last due to her event being omitted from the programme, she added: “Every racing opportunity is so valuable, and you know, there's no one experience like the other… I'm so glad that I managed to make it (here).”
For former Paralympic swimmer Theresa Goh, her Games debut in the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 saw her come away with valuable lessons.
“I feel like I could have done better, but I really think it's also down to experience. This is my fifth competition. I try to set realistic standards for myself. I have so much to learn from every competition.”
“This just adds on to my experiences. I always learn a little bit more about myself in the sport whenever I go for competitions… It's just about building experiences and all the learnings that I can pick up,” the ASEAN Para Games gold medallist said.
For others, Aichi-Nagoya gave them renewed belief.
Swimmer Wong Zhi Wei enjoyed a fruitful campaign in Japan, meeting the Minimum Qualification Standard (MQS) of 4:38.97 for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics in the men’s 400m freestyle S13 and set a stunning nine-second PB in the men's 200m individual medley SM13.
Despite a gruelling seven-race programme, Wong also set three national records in the pool (200m individual medley SM13, 50m freestyle S13, 400m freestyle S13).
“It gave me confidence through competence by proving to myself that I am at this standard where I can make it a tough fight for everyone, so I am truly grateful for this experience. These are my third Asian Para Games, and I'm pleasantly surprised and shocked that I'm still learning more about myself, and I think that I became mentally stronger and spiritually more at peace as an athlete because of this.”
Winning bronze in the women’s B time trial on her debut was also a confidence-booster for Tan Cheng Jui and her pilot Sarah Tan.
“It is truly special and meaningful. It represents all the hard work, sacrifices and challenges along the journey. I’m grateful to my coach, pilot Sarah and everyone who believed in me. This medal reminds me that anything is possible when we keep believing and never give up.
Adding to her bronze medal from the Asia Para Cycling Road Championships, Cheng Jui’s latest achievement has helped her to believe in her capabilities.
“More importantly, it taught me to trust my training, my pilot and myself. It gave me the belief and motivation to keep pushing towards greater achievements.”
As Team Singapore departs Aichi-Nagoya, the contingent leaves with more than medals and records. The experiences gained in Japan have given athletes fresh motivation and will serve as an important stepping stone for them as they continue building towards the future.
The 5th Asian Para Games are held in Japan from 18 to 24 October 2026. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.