The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) Athletes’ Committee has elected Yoomin Won of the Republic of Korea as its Chairperson and Japan’s Mari Amimoto as Vice-Chairperson for the 2026–2030 term during its first online meeting on Thursday (5 November).
The leadership election follows the successful APC Athletes’ Committee elections held during the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, marking another important step in strengthening athlete representation, transparency, and good governance within the Asian Paralympic Movement.
Won, a former wheelchair rugby and Nordic skiing athlete, was elected Chairperson while Amimoto, a wheelchair basketball Paralympian, was elected Vice-Chairperson.
The five newly elected Committee members are:
1. Ms. Asila Mirzayorova – NPC Uzbekistan
2. Ms. Mari Amimoto – NPC Japan
3. Mr. Yoomin Won – NPC Republic of Korea
4. Mr. Shuai Zhao – NPC China
5. Ms. Chui Yee Yu – NPC Hong Kong, China
The elections took place from 18 to 23 October during the fifth edition of the Asian Para Games, with 10 candidates contesting the five positions. For the first time, voting was conducted through an online platform, allowing accredited athletes to cast their votes using QR codes displayed at designated venues.
During the inaugural meeting, APC representatives welcomed the new members and highlighted the Committee’s role as an important bridge between athletes and APC leadership, ensuring that athletes’ experiences, concerns and aspirations are reflected in the organisation’s decision-making.
Former APC Athletes’ Committee Chairperson Hiroyuki Misaka also addressed the members, sharing his experiences since 2023 and encouraging them to build on the Committee’s work, listen to athletes across Asia and create opportunities for future generations.
APC President H.E. Majid Rashed congratulated the newly elected leadership and members, reaffirming APC’s commitment to strengthening athletes’ voices within its governance structure.
“Athletes are at the heart of the Paralympic Movement, and their voices are essential to the decisions that shape their future.
“The successful Athletes’ Committee elections during the Asian Para Games, followed by the democratic election of its Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, reflect our continued commitment to good governance, transparency and meaningful athlete representation.
“I congratulate Yoomin Won and Mari Amimoto on their election and look forward to working closely with the entire Committee. We want our athletes to play an active role in shaping policies, creating opportunities, and building a stronger and more inclusive Paralympic Movement across Asia,” said Rashed.
Asian Athletes Forum
Following his election, Won identified the proposed the Asian Athletes Forum in the Republic of Korea as one of his priorities, aiming to create a platform for athletes from across the region to share experiences, discuss challenges and strengthen their collective voice. The first APC Athletes’ Forum was held virtually in December 2020.
“It is a great honour to be elected Chairperson of the APC Athletes’ Committee, and I sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and confidence.
“Our priority will be to engage with athletes across Asia, understand their challenges and aspirations, and ensure their voices are heard in the decisions that affect them. I am particularly excited about the opportunity to bring athletes together through the Asian Athletes Forum in the Republic of Korea, creating a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and new ideas,” said Won.
Newly elected Vice-Chairperson Amimoto also emphasised the importance of collaboration and ensuring athletes from different backgrounds and regions have opportunities to contribute to the development of Para sport.
“I am honoured to take on the role of Vice-Chairperson and grateful for the opportunity to represent athletes across Asia.
“Asia is home to athletes from diverse backgrounds, cultures and sporting experiences, and every voice must be valued. I look forward to working with our Chairperson and fellow members to strengthen communication, support athlete welfare and create more opportunities for athletes to contribute to the future of Para sport,” said Amimoto.
Athlete representation and governance
The meeting also outlined APC’s commitment to strengthening athlete representation within its governance structure, including plans to introduce a motion at the next APC General Assembly to enable the Athletes’ Committee Vice-Chairperson to serve on the APC Executive Board.
Over the next four years, the Committee will work closely with APC to advance athlete welfare, safeguarding, inclusion, and fair play, while establishing regular communication channels to engage with athletes and National Paralympic Committees across Asia.
APC also aims to encourage balanced athlete representation across Asia’s five subregions, reflecting the diversity of the Paralympic Movement and ensuring that athletes from different sporting backgrounds have opportunities to contribute.
The APC extended its appreciation to all candidates who contested the elections, recognising their commitment to athlete representation and their willingness to contribute to the development of the Paralympic Movement.
The newly elected Committee will now work towards establishing its meeting schedule and priorities for the 2026-2030 term, building on the progress made by the previous Committee and ensuring athletes continue to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Para sport across Asia.
