TEHRAN – Iran finished in the first place in the 4
th Asian Youth Para Games in Manama, Bahrain.
High octave encounters to flurry of emotions and historic first ever medals, the Games lived up to its expectations where most participating nations ended up winning at least a medal with Iran leading from the front on top of the medals table with 122 medals including 44 gold.
When the Bahrain 2021 Games came to a close, 25 countries out of the 30 participating nations had won medals (550 medals in total), and Thailand and Japan, the Dubai 2017 table topper, finished behind Iran with 33 and 30 gold, respectively. Hosts Bahrain ended with three gold – two in Para Athletics and one in Para Taekwondo.
On the final day of competition, it was Iran’s Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team who emerged the winners with a thumping 117- 18 win over Iraq, while Thailand claimed bronze defeating Saudi Arabia 84-18.
Iran’s men were also victorious in Goalball after defeating Thailand in a tight match 4-3 while South Korea claimed the bronze medal after a convincing win over Iraq 10-0, Paralympic.org reported.
"We are pleased that our athletes turned will and effort into success. The athletes with their will proved that they are able to make the impossible possible, shine and embrace peaks of success that lead to topping the medal tally among 30 NPCs.
"I hope that taking part in 2021 AYPG could pave the way for our young athlete’s further success in their future sports career," said Mohammad Tabe, Chef de Mission NPC Iran.
In the women’s events, Thailand avenged the men’s side defeat with a narrow 7-6 win over Iran 7-6 in the gold medal match.
In Para Powerlifting events, the late legend Siamand Rahman’s legacy continued as Iranian powerlifters won the highest number of gold - six in total - with their power-packed performances.
Finishing second was Uzbekistan with four gold.
Uzbekistan's Tashkent was earlier announced as the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games.