By Graham Thomas
Indonesia’s emergence as a world boccia powerhouse will face a rapid major test when Asia’s leading players gather in Japan for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
Fresh from topping the medal table at the Seoul 2026 World Boccia Championships, Indonesia arrive among the leading contenders for a competition expected to feature 92 athletes from 23 nations battling for 11 gold medals.
The World Boccia Challenger event will take place at Nagoya City General Gymnasium from October 18-24, with host nation Japan, Thailand, South Korea and China among the countries expected to challenge Indonesia’s growing influence on the international stage.
Thailand will surely be a major threat, with reigning Paralympic BC2 champion Worawut Saengampa spearheading a squad boasting considerable experience across the classifications.
But Indonesia’s performances in Seoul have made them the team others have to attempt to match, underlining how the balance of power in boccia is shifting.
Handayani Handayani (pictured above), who won the women’s BC1 world title in Seoul after beating Japan’s Hiromi Endo 8-2 in the final, believes careful preparation and mental strength have been central to her country’s progress.
“After the World Championships, we returned to Indonesia feeling very happy with our success and grateful for everyone who has supported us,” says Handayani.
“I think the key to our success in Seoul was our very planned and prepared strategies and the fact we all have strong mentality at the big tournaments.
“When you have success, it also provides motivation to prepare well and work hard for the next tournament. That is exactly what we have done for the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya.”
Handayani will be one of Indonesia’s leading medal hopes as the team attempts to carry its world championship form into a Challenger competition more high profile than most.
Her victory in Seoul was part of an outstanding Indonesian campaign, which produced three gold medals and a silver. The country won the men’s and women’s BC1 individual titles before completing its golden treble in the BC1-BC2 team event.
The results confirmed the progress of a national programme that has developed rapidly in recent years, supported by regular training, improved facilities and investment in elite performance.
But 16 nations reached the podium across the 11 medal events in Seoul, demonstrating the increasing depth of competition and the growing number of countries capable of challenging for major honours.
So, although Indonesia are setting the pace, they have others snapping at their heels.
Thailand remain among the most formidable opponents. Saengampa reinforced his status as one of the sport’s outstanding competitors by winning the men’s BC2 world title in Seoul, while Ladamanee Kla-Han claimed women’s BC3 gold.
Pornchok Larpyen and Witsanu Huadpradit also bring substantial experience and previous major titles, giving Thailand the depth to contend across several classifications.
South Korea will look to four-time Paralympic champion Jeong Ho-won and world number one Choi Ye-jin to lead its challenge. Jeong is the reigning Paralympic champion in men’s BC3, while Choi has previously won Paralympic gold in the women’s event.
China, meanwhile, will be aiming to build on its success at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, where it won three boccia gold medals, the same number as Thailand.
Lin Ximei, who became China’s first Paralympic boccia gold medallist at Paris 2024, is among the leading contenders in the individual BC4 competition. She and Zheng Yuansen will also be looking to defend their mixed-team title from Hangzhou.
Hong Kong could prove a significant obstacle to that ambition. Seven-time Paralympic medallist Leung Yuk Wing and Paris 2024 silver medallist Cheung Yuen are expected to provide a strong challenge in the BC4 pairs event.
For Japan, competing on home soil offers an opportunity to make a major impression in front of local supporters. Endo will be particularly keen to respond after losing the BC1 world final to Handayani, while the host nation will draw confidence from its established international pedigree.
The tournament follows a World Championships that demonstrated how difficult it has become to predict the outcome of elite boccia competition.
Indonesia’s success was the headline story in Seoul, but Hong Kong recorded the highest overall medal count with five, while Thailand collected four medals. Singapore also strengthened its reputation as an emerging force by winning BC3 pairs gold.
With established champions, rising nations and home advantage all in the equation, the Asian Para Games promises a compelling contest.
For Indonesia, the challenge is to show that its breakthrough in Seoul was not an isolated achievement. As Handayani’s comments underline, the team believes its preparation and mentality can deliver further success.
In Nagoya, there will be clues as to where the sport is heading next.
