Indonesia Targets Top 10 Finish at 2026 Asian Para Games

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s national contingent is optimistic about finishing among the top 10 in the medal standings at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, despite the absence of para chess. Several athletes have shown positive progress during a series of trial events ahead of the Games, which will take place from October 18 to 24, 2026.

A total of 101 Indonesian athletes from 12 sports have secured their places at the 2026 Asian Para Games. Several sports have recorded strong results in international competitions, including boccia, para cycling, para badminton, and para archery.

NPC Indonesia Deputy Secretary General, Rima Ferdianto, said the results of the trial events provide important momentum for Indonesia to achieve its target. Indonesia is currently aiming to win eight to nine gold medals, which is expected to be enough to secure a top-10 finish.

“Our medal target is currently set at eight to nine golds, but in terms of overall ranking, we believe a top-10 finish is still achievable,” Rima said on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Boccia is among the sports expected to contribute medals after Indonesia emerged as overall champion in three world-level competitions this year, including the 2026 World Boccia Championships. Meanwhile, the para cycling team won three gold, four silver, and three bronze medals at the 2026 Malaysia Para Road Race. Indonesia’s para badminton team also secured four gold, one silver, and two bronze medals at the 2026 China Para Badminton International, followed by four gold and one bronze at the 2026 Japan Para Badminton International.

The para archery team has also shown promising progress, with Kholidin and his teammates winning two silver and two bronze medals at the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series in India. Indonesia hopes these sports can become new sources of medals to make up for the absence of para chess, which contributed 10 of Indonesia’s 29 gold medals at the previous Asian Para Games in China.

“We are hoping for some surprises from sports that have continued to improve during the trial period, such as boccia and para archery. Para athletics has also shown significant progress. Hopefully, these sports can help make up for the absence of para chess,” Rima said.

Indonesia will finalize its contingent after all sports complete their trial events. The athletes will then enter a maintenance phase at the end of September before departing for Nagoya in mid-October.