Gu Xiaofei (upper, left), Qian Wangwei (upper, right), Zhang Haidong (lower, left), and Sheng Yuhong (lower, right). [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Four representatives from Nantong — two athletes and two coaches — have been named in China's delegation for the fifth Asian Para Games, to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from Oct 18 to 24.

The Chinese delegation, announced in Beijing, includes 500 members, comprising 312 athletes (146 men and 166 women) who are set to compete in 17 sports.

Para powerlifter Gu Xiaofei, 37, is set for his fifth Asian Para Games. He has won four Asian Para Games titles, World Championship and World Cup golds, as well as four Paralympic silver medals.

Para cyclist Qian Wangwei, 32, is set to make her second Asian Para Games appearance. In the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, she won three golds on her debut, becoming the first Nantong athlete to achieve the feat at a single Asian Para Games. She has set world records, won multiple world titles and earned one silver and one bronze at two Paralympics.

The coaches are Zhang Haidong, of China's para powerlifting team, and Sheng Yuhong, of the women's sitting volleyball team. Zhang, a four-time Paralympic champion, is set to guide five athletes, including Gu. Sheng, a key member of China's first Paralympic women's sitting volleyball gold-winning team, led the side to gold at the last Asian Para Games.

Nantong is known as a "hometown of sports" and a "cradle of world champions". Its athletes have won gold at four consecutive Asian Para Games since Guangzhou 2010. The four representatives will look to add to that proud legacy in Aichi-Nagoya.