Japanese athletes appear with smiles; Hatate Nakagawa ``I feel tense'' - Asian Para Games

Entrance procession of each country/region at the opening ceremony. When the Japanese team appeared in the 45th and final spot, the audience cheered particularly loudly. The players wore red jerseys and black pants. They marched with relaxed expressions, smiling and waving their hands and flags.

Asian Para Games begin with 18 sports held in Aichi and Nagoya

Moe Nakagawa (Graduate School of the University of Tokyo), a female track and field student who led the Japanese athletes as the standard-bearer, said, ``I feel relieved that I was able to fulfill my responsibility.I am so excited that the race is finally starting.'' Her heart danced as she watched the big stage. Wheelchair rugby player Katsuya Hashimoto (Amova Asset Management), who was appointed flag bearer along with Nakagawa, commented on behalf of the team, saying, ``I got goosebumps being surrounded by so many spectators.I want to bring courage and excitement to many people through the competition.''

Students who belong to the dance club of their local school in Aichi prefecture performed a dance. Pictograms of the competitions were projected on the stage, and the 18 sports that will be held at this tournament were introduced.

Oda, the men's wheelchair tennis player who won the last Hangzhou Games and is expected to win the gold medal again this year, and Kaede Maekawa (SCSK), the women's track and field team, were sworn in as athletes. ``I will participate in the Asian Para Games with true sportsmanship and respect for the competition rules,'' he vowed.