Asian Para Games: China off to flying start as powerlifter Guo breaks world record

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games got into full swing on Monday as Chinese athletes produced a dominant opening day.

In para powerlifting, Cui Zhe opened China's gold medal account by winning the women's 41kg title, extending her streak to five consecutive Asian Para Games. "I'm so happy to win the first gold for China today. I'm grateful to my country!" she said.

Guo Lingling claimed the women's 45kg crown in spectacular fashion, setting a world record with a 126kg lift. Guo, who had previously lifted more than 125kg in training, said she came to Nagoya with the goal of breaking the world record and felt calm during the competition.

"I'm very confident about competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics if my body and form allow," she added.

Earlier on Monday, Chen Liuxun secured China's first medal of the Games, taking bronze in the men's 49kg para powerlifting with a best lift of 161kg.

China's swimmers capped the day with an impressive haul of 14 golds, 12 silvers and six bronzes, breaking several Games records and sweeping the podium in multiple events.

"We always give it our all in the pool. We really want to see three Chinese national flags raised together," said Zheng Tingting, winner of the women's 400m freestyle S8, referring to training alongside silver medalist Zhu Hui and bronze medalist Lu Weiyuan.

Chinese athletes also dominated para fencing, taking all four gold medals on offer, and added two golds in para athletics.

He Shanshan won the women's 1,500m T11 in a Games-record 4:41.19, while veteran Mi Na, who has competed since Beijing 2008 and focused more on coaching in recent years, captured gold in the women's discus F37/F38.

"This Games was another chance to challenge myself," Mi said, pledging to keep pushing her limits.

Chinese athletes also shone in other sports, winning two gold medals apiece in para cycling and para judo.

In team events, China's women's wheelchair basketball team routed Laos 109-20, while the women's sitting volleyball team swept Iran 3-0. In goalball, the Chinese women's team edged host Japan 1-0 and the men's team defeated South Korea 9-4.