On September 10, the taekwondo competition of China's 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympics Games opened at the Huizhou Gymnasium. The four-day competition features 32 events, drawing 23 teams and 261 athletes from across China.
The taekwondo competition stands out with three remarkable "firsts." It has attracted 261 athletes from 23 provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions, and special administrative regions—an increase of three teams and 42 athletes compared to the previous edition, and for the first time, a delegation from Hong Kong. The competition also features the most diverse range of events. Notably, it is the most inclusive to date, with competitors spanning a wide age range, from 12 to 52 years old.
Eleven athletes with disabilities from Huizhou participated in these Games, competing in seven events including cycling, wheelchair basketball, bocce ball, deaf tennis, table tennis, blind football, and deaf basketball. Earlier, at the cycling event in Shenzhen, Chen Zhiyi, a visually impaired athlete from Boluo County in Huizhou, brought home one gold and one silver medal.
Since June, Huizhou has successfully staged several test events—including taekwondo and rope-skipping competitions—to fine-tune organization, safety, medical support, and volunteer services. The Huizhou Gymnasium has undergone major accessibility upgrades to ensure a high standard of facilities for athletes, including renovated competition areas, athlete passageways, and restrooms.
Beyond sports, Huizhou is also showcasing its cultural heritage. The opening and intermission programs will feature provincial and municipal intangible cultural heritage performances, blended with modern stage technology—highlighting both the spirit of competition and the legacy of tradition in this thousand-year-old city.
Reporter & Photo: Zhang Guowei
Editor: Wei Shen, James Campion, Shen He
