Uzbekistan takes third place in the Asian Para Games medal standings in Nagoya for the first time

A historic result in Nagoya

The Uzbekistan national team achieved a historic result at the 5th Asian Para Games with 145 medals (45 gold, 49 silver and 51 bronze), the country's para-athletes took third place in the overall medal standings for the first time, trailing only China (435 medals) and Japan (186). Uzbekistan was represented by 149 athletes competing in 11 of the 18 sports on the Games program; half of the gold medals were won by female athletes.

Performance dynamics

The result significantly exceeds the team's previous achievements: four years ago at the Para Games in Hangzhou, Uzbekistan took 8th place with 79 medals (25 gold, 24 silver and 30 bronze), and eight years ago in Incheon — 5th place with 31 medals (22, 5, 4). On Sunday the delegation returned to Tashkent, where it was ceremonially greeted at the airport by officials, including the Senate Chairman and heads of the sports sector, as well as coaches and the athletes' families.

Presidential congratulations

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in his congratulatory message to the team: “Our brave young men and women, showing true perseverance, have written another bright page into the history of our national sport, once again demonstrating the boundless capabilities of Uzbek para-sport.” The head of state expressed confidence that the high results and the experience gained “will serve as a solid foundation for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.”

Records and multiple champions

Para-powerlifter Ruza Kuziyeva set a world record. Asian records were recorded by Madina Mukhtorova and Karomat Omonova (shot put), Shahina Yigitaliyeva (javelin throw), Navruza Akhmadova (discus throw), Khurshid Kodirov (100 m run), Yegor Bolotov (100 m backstroke and 200 m individual medley) and 16-year-old Lolakhon Kodirova (50 m freestyle). 16 Uzbek representatives in para-cycling, para-powerlifting and para-athletics set Asian Para Games records.

Individual achievements

Many athletes were not winning at the Para Games for the first time: Dmitry Khorlin — for the fourth time, Bobirjon Omonov, Khusniddin Norbekov, Kudratillokhon Marufkhuzhayev and Fakhriddin Khamroyev — for the third, Asila Mirzayorova, Shahina Yigitaliyeva, Guljonoy Naimova and Ruza Kuziyeva — for the second. Madina Mukhtorova, Navruza Akhmadova and Mubinabonu Khalilova became two-time gold medalists, and Khurshid Kadyrov a three-time champion. Games debutant Yegor Bolotov won 4 gold and 1 silver medal in para-swimming. The delegation's flag bearer Marjona Pardaboyeva became a two-time Asian champion, and 15-year-old Boburbek Toshtemirov brought the country its first gold in track para-cycling at the Para Games and went down in history as the youngest champion.

Closing ceremony

The Games were held under the motto “Imagine One Heart.” The closing ceremony at the Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya began with the appearance of the mascot Uzumin, who invited athletes and spectators to dance. Asian Paralympic Committee President Majid Rashed declared the Games closed; the committee's flag was handed over to Doha — the host city of the next Games in 2030, after which the Games flame was extinguished. Photos from the ceremony were provided to Gazeta by Khusniddin Ato and Maria Malinovskaya.