Sprinter Jang Minho on Oct. 20 poses for a photo next to a scoreboard showing his Asian record time of 10.48 seconds after winning the men's 100 m (T13) at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.

By Margareth Theresia
Photos = Korea Paralympic Committee

Korea on Oct. 20 won nine gold medals on the second day of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan, highlighted by sprinter Jang Minho's Asian record and the table tennis team.

Jang set an Asian record of 10.48 seconds to win the men's 100-m (T13).

He is the first Korean athlete to compete in both the Asiad and the Asian Para Games, winning the gold at his first global competition for disabled competitors. Last month, he competed in the mixed and men's 1,600-m relays at the Asiad.

Previously competing as an able-bodied athlete, Jang experienced a rapid decline in his vision last year and was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary eye condition. He was reclassified as a visually impaired athlete and ran in the T13 event, which is for runners with visual impairments who can run on a track without a guide.

Gold medalist Kim Gitae (second from left) and bronze winner Kim Bogyeom (third from left) on Oct. 20 pose for a photo at the medal ceremony for men's singles Class 11 table tennis at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan at Sky Hall Toyota in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture.

In table tennis, Korea scored six gold, three silver and four bronze that day.

Yoon Jiyu successfully defended her title in women's singles Class 3, while Kim Gitae won the men's singles Class 11 crown for his sixth career gold at the tournament. In the men's singles Class 2 final, Park Jincheol defeated compatriot Kim Kyung-hyun.

Seo Suyeon (women's singles Class 2), Kim Hyeonuk (men's singles Class 1) and Kim Eun Hee (women's singles Class 1) also struck gold.

Korea also added golds in shooting and cycling.

As of Oct. 20, the national team was fourth overall with 12 gold, nine silver and 13 bronze, up from sixth the previous day. China led the standings with 70 gold, followed by Uzbekistan (17) and Japan (16).

margareth@korea.kr