The curtain came down on the 11th Incheon Para Asian Games on October 24 at the Incheon Munhak Stadium in Nam-gu (District), Incheon. The games lasted for 7 days, starting on October 18, with the slogan of, “A Wave of Passion, Now Begins!”

The closing ceremony was attended by athletes, coaches and staff from 41 participating countries as well as local sports fans. Among the participants, there were Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism Kim Jongdeok, President of the Korea Paralympic Committee Kim Sung-il and Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City Yoo Jeong-bok. All attendees at the ceremony, including people with disabilities, became of one mind to enjoy the festivities.

The closing ceremony was held with the theme of, “Anytime, Anywhere.” Performers sent the message that people are ready to take on another challenge, whatever it may be. Before the official ceremony, highlights of the games were screened on the screens around the stadium. The pre-ceremony events featured a traditional Korean folk game, chajeon nori, and the bangochum, a drum dance with the performers clad in traditional Korean attire. The theme was , “Memories of meeting and challenge.”


After the performances, athletes from participating countries and volunteers entered the stadium. The audience gave a standing applause and loud cheers to all the athletes.



The official closing ceremony followed, with a flag transfer ceremony. The president of the Korea Paralympic Committee, Kim Sung-il, said, “The Incheon Para Asian Games were successfully hosted with the passion of all the athletes and with the help of the citizens of Incheon, Korea’s city of the future. The athletes who competed with fairness are all the true winners.”

The president of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin, said, “Now is the time to say goodbye to Incheon.” He said the past seven days were amazing and marvelous, and he hoped to meet everyone again in Indonesia in four years' time.

The APC president expressed his gratitude to Incheon citizens and to the people of Korea, while officially announcing the closing of the games. After his announcement, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok handed over the official flag of the games to the representative from Indonesia.





Performances were held after the flag transfer ceremony, too, with the message of, “Sound of Incheon, Brighten the future.” Performers clad in Hanbok showcased the Six Drums Dance, or the Yukgomu. Nearly 220 soldiers from the 61st Division performed a large-scale drum performance. Finally, singer Kim Young-Im played some gugak, Korea’s traditional style of music, as fireworks decorated Incheon's night sky.

A total of 24 world records and 121 Asian records were made in five sports -- swimming, cycling, weightlifting, shooting and athletics -- at the Incheon Para Asian Games. In weightlifting alone, 10 world records and 27 Asian records were made.

North Korea participated in the games for the first time with a 33-member strong delegation, including 9 athletes. Swimmer Sim Sung-hyok became the first North Korean athlete to ever win a bronze medal in the men’s 100 meter breaststroke.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Incheon Asian Para Games Organizing Committee
arete@korea.kr