A montage of the action at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai. SUPPLIED

Dubai has cemented its place in Para sports history after successfully hosting the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, widely hailed as one of the most inspiring and memorable editions of the event. Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the Games brought together 1,500 young Para athletes from 35 nations, celebrating resilience, talent, and inclusion. The Games concluded on Saturday (December 13), capping a landmark edition that saw 25 records shattered, including nine world records and 16 Asian records—a strong indicator of the rapid rise in standards across youth Para sports in Asia. Dubai 2025 also made history as the first Asian Youth Para Games to integrate AI-powered robots into Games operations. The robots featured during the opening ceremony and medal presentations, adding an innovative and human-centred layer that enhanced accessibility and athlete engagement.

UAE delivers strong home performance

The host nation delivered an impressive showing, finishing the Games with 23 medals — six gold, eight silver, and nine bronze. Competing in the discus throw, Humaid Alblooshi, 15, won the first gold medal for the UAE in front of his home crowd. The strong medal haul highlighted the UAE’s sustained investment in youth Para sports development and its commitment to nurturing young athletes on the continental stage. Officials said the results reflect years of structured programmes and increasing grassroots participation across multiple sports.

Uzbekistan tops medal tally

Uzbekistan emerged as the overall medals leader, amassing a staggering 197 medals, including 99 golds. Rukhshona Uktamova, 18, captured gold and broke a world record in the Para Powerlifting event. Competing in the junior 67 kg class, she lifted an astonishing 120 kg. The Uzbek athlete lost her leg when she was just 8 months old. Three more superstars, Bahriddin Kholbutaev (up to 54kg), Elbek Farkhodov (Up to 80 kg) and Oyshajon Rajabboeva (Up to 86 kg) also set new world records in the Rookie category after they lifted 121kg, 170kg and 65kg respectively. Their commanding performance underlined the country’s depth of talent and long-term investment in Para sport pathways. Close behind were the Islamic Republic of Iran, which claimed 216 medals with 62 gold, and Japan, which secured 40 gold medals, further demonstrating the growing competitiveness of Para sport across Asia.

Philippines' historic top-nine finish

The Philippines finished ninth overall, powered by an impressive 26-medal haul of 11 gold, 10 silver, and five bronze. Filipino Para swimmers led the charge, accounting for the majority of Team Philippines’ medals. Standout performers included Ric Daniel Pasadilla, Mary Hannah Diesto, Raemond Adefuin, Zach Lucas Obsioma, and Bladimir Sebastian Gonzales. Pasadilla, 13, emerged as the most bemedalled Filipino Para athlete of this edition, winning three golds, one silver, and one bronze. Competing without his right limb due to an accident and using a prosthetic arm, Pasadilla topped the boys’ 12–16 200m individual medley, 100m backstroke, and 100m butterfly. He also claimed silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 100m breaststroke. “I didn’t expect I will reach this far in the competition, so I am very happy,” Pasadilla said in Filipino. Asked if he regretted not winning gold in all his events, he remained grounded. “It’s okay to lose and be grateful for what you have,” he said. In Dubai, he recently met visiting boxing icon Manny Pacquiao who congratulated him on his medal haul. A proud product of the Palarong Pambansa and the Philippine National Para Games, the young swimmer already has his eyes set on the future and wants to be a Paralympian.

India: Top-seven finish

India placed seventh overall, winning 16 gold, 14 silver, and 16 bronze medals. In Para archery, Sweta Bhaskar Kove delivered a composed performance in the compound women’s final, opening with a perfect 30 and holding her lead to defeat China’s Yong Hui 143–139. “When I was coming to Dubai, I promised myself that I would return with at least one medal,” Kove said. “I wanted to make my mother and my country proud.” India also dominated Para badminton, securing eight gold medals and a total of 17 medals in the sport alone. Jatin Azad emerged as a key figure, winning double gold in the SU5 category, first in men’s singles and then in men’s doubles with Shivam Yadav. “I want to play in all championships, gain more experience and exposure,” Azad said. “With more exposure, I will achieve more—and I know I will be selected for the LA28 Paralympics.”

Bangladesh and Maldives: Historic first medals

Several nations celebrated milestone achievements in Dubai. Bangladesh and Maldives won their first-ever medals at the Asian Youth Para Games, with Bangladesh making a particularly strong debut by capturing three gold medals. Officials hailed these breakthroughs as signs of expanding Para sport development across South and Southeast Asia.

Emotional closing and handover to Cambodia

The closing ceremony featured a colourful parade of nations and an official handover of the Games flag to Cambodia, host of the 6th Asian Youth Para Games. The flag was received by Borus Samheng, Minister Attaché to the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, expressed deep gratitude to Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, stressing that his patronage was key to the Games’ success. He described Dubai 2025 as “more than a sporting event — it was a journey of inspiration, unity, and dreams fulfilled,” and praised volunteers as the “unsung heroes” of the Games. Majid Rashed, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee, hailed Dubai 2025 as one of the finest editions ever delivered, commending the UAE’s leadership, the Dubai Sports Council, and all partners involved. CAM/Expat Media
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