With a day to go before the Asian Youth Para Games comes to a conclusion, Japan surged ahead and remained on top of the overall medal tally after four days of competition in the Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG) Malaysia 2013 here.
As of today, the Japanese contingent hauled 32 gold medals, with their swimmers contributing majority of it — 11 of the 32 gold medals accumulated thus far in the Games.
It was evident that the Japanese are taking the Games seriously, as they prepare to groom its pool of young athletes who are set to carry their hopes in two major Games – the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and the 2020 Paralympic Games.
After four days of competition in athletics, Japan came out tops with a haul of 18 gold medals followed by China who managed 12 gold.
While competition for 8 sports have been completed, another six sports – competitions for goalball, swimming, tenpin bowling, table tennis, volleyball-sitting and wheelchair basketball will not be completed until the final day tomorrow.
Japan, among the biggest contingents with participation of 90 athletes and officials, are making great strides and impact in AYPG 2013, which is part of their long term build up and preparation towards RIO 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Paralympic Games.
Iran, another Asian para sports powerhouse, is now lying on second spot with 23 gold medals followed by China 21 gold.
Host Malaysia, who had the biggest number of athletes competing in the Games, are trailing behind Japan, Iran and China, filling up the overall fourth spot with 18 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze medals.
Meanwhile, it was a day of joy for Brunei who clinched their first gold through Tenpin Bowling at Sunway Mega Lanes. Kamarul Ariffin Abdul Ghaffar contributed Brunei’s first gold after amassing 929 pins in the mixed singles B2 to win the gold.
In archery, Iraq stamped their mark by clinching 3 gold medals at the end of the competition at National Archery Centre in Keramat.
