India’s campaign at the Asian Youth Para Games 2025 got off to a grand start after swimmer Abdul Quadir Indori clinched two gold medals, winning the 50m Butterfly and 50m Backstroke events in Dubai.
The Paralympic Committee of India applauded his achievement on social media, posting, “Golden glory for India! A remarkable achievement that reflects his dedication, discipline, and the rising strength of India’s young para-athletes. Congratulations, Abdul!”
Wednesday also saw a vibrant opening ceremony in Dubai, showcasing cultural performances and welcoming young para-athletes from across Asia. The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) confirmed that Iran, the dominant force from Bahrain 2021 with 51 golds, has assembled the event’s largest contingent with 195 athletes, reiterating its focus on youth and high-performance Para sport.
Uzbekistan (124), Thailand (122) and India (122) form the next biggest delegations, underlining their growing investment in the development of young para-athletes. The UAE, hosting the Games for the second time after 2017, will be represented by 55 athletes, reflecting the nation’s expanding Para-sport ecosystem and the support of organisations such as the APC and the Dubai Club for People of Determination.
The 2025 edition will also feature several top emerging stars, including Zahra Rahimi of Iran, the Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medallist in women’s -52kg Para Taekwondo, and Chen Po-Yen of Chinese Taipei, the ITTF World No.1 and Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medallist in Class 11 table tennis.