Iraq’s Najlah Imad captures table tennis gold at Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games

Iraqi champion Najlah Imad in Paris 2024 Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraqi para-table tennis star Najlah Imad captured the gold medal on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan, defeating China’s Liu Xiaowu 3–1 in the women’s Class 6 singles final. According to a formal statement issued by the Iraqi Paralympic Committee, Imad dominated the tournament bracket, dropping only a single set throughout her entire campaign in Nagoya—the sole concession occurring during the championship duel against her Chinese opponent. The victory secures another continental accolade for Iraqi para-athletics and extends Imad’s record of international podium finishes. Luay Al-Saray, President of the Iraqi Para Table Tennis Federation, commended the historic gold, attributing the success to deliberate institutional planning, rigorous preparatory training camps, and close alignment between the federation and the technical staff. Al-Saray specifically highlighted the contributions of head coach Haider Salim in preparing Imad tactically and mentally, noting that the triumph underscores the capacity of Iraqi para-athletes to overcome world-class competitors on the international stage.