Choi Ye-jin Begins Final Asian Para Games Campaign
The veteran boccia athlete and her longtime assistant start their farewell tournament in Aichi-Nagoya.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Tennis
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Boccia athlete Choi Ye-jin and her assistant Moon Woo-young have opened their final Asian Para Games together. The duo began their competition with a dominant 8-0 victory over Anjali Devi in the women's individual BC3 event.
Why it matters
This tournament marks the conclusion of an 18-year partnership that has seen the pair navigate elite competition, including recovery from surgery for calcific tendinitis. The transition highlights the unique collaborative nature of the BC3 boccia discipline as Moon prepares to step down from her role due to age.
Choi Ye-jin and Moon Woo-young have maintained their athletic partnership for 18 years. In the opening match of the individual BC3 event, Choi defeated Anjali Devi by a score of 8-0.
The players
Choi Ye-jin
She is a highly decorated boccia athlete who has won two gold medals and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games.
Moon Woo-young
She is the longtime assistant who has supported Choi Ye-jin in her boccia career for nearly two decades.
Seo Hoon-tae
He is a competitor at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games who won gold in the R4 mixed 10-meter air rifle standing event.
The details
In the BC3 event, assistants like Moon provide vital support by adjusting ramp angles and directions based on athlete instructions while remaining silent during play. Choi, who intends to keep competing until she reaches age 50, previously secured a silver medal at the Seoul 2026 World Boccia Championship despite recovering from surgery for calcific tendinitis.
Timeline
Choi Ye-jin began her boccia career in 2008.
The Seoul 2026 World Boccia Championship took place from August to September 2026.
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games officially opened on October 18, 2026.
Choi Ye-jin secured her opening victory on October 19, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The Asian Para Games follow the competitive momentum established at the Seoul 2026 World Boccia Championship. This tournament serves as a critical capstone for the pairing before Moon Woo-young transitions out of her role, influencing the future support structure for Choi.
Choi Ye-jin is competing in the individual BC3 event, where players must rely on precisely calibrated ramps to maneuver balls onto the court. The 8-0 victory sets a strong baseline for her standing as she moves further into the tournament bracket.
The takeaway
The successful partnership of Choi and Moon highlights the essential, disciplined cooperation required in Paralympic sport. Fans can monitor the tournament brackets to see if the pair can secure a final victory together before Moon ends her tenure.
Further reading
For more on international competition, visit our Tennis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Koreajoongangdaily.
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