Li, Yan named China's flagbearers for 2026 Asian Para Games opening ceremony

NAGOYA, Japan, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) - Para taekwondo athlete Li Yujie and para powerlifter Yan Panpan will bear the flag for China at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan on Sunday, the Chinese delegation announced Saturday.

China's swimmers for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games pose for a photo in Beijing, China, October 10, 2026. (Photo: VCG)

Li, a student at Beijing Sport University, won bronze in the women's K44-58kg category at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, China's first-ever Paralympic medal in taekwondo, and gold in the K44-57kg category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the country's first Paralympic gold in the sport. She was also named 2025 World Para Taekwondo Female Athlete of the Year, becoming the first Team China athlete to receive the honor.

Yan, who graduated from Beijing Sport University earlier this year, took gold in the men's 97kg category at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, followed by gold in the 88kg category at the Paris Paralympics three years later. In 2025, he claimed the 88kg title at the World Para Powerlifting Championships in Cairo.

Competitions at the 5th Asian Para Games kicked off on Friday, two days before the opening ceremony. China beat hosts Japan 1-0 in the men's blind football, while wheelchair basketball, para table tennis and para badminton also got underway.

More than 300 Chinese athletes will compete in 335 events across 17 sports at the Games, which will run through October 24.