The National Stadium took on the appearance of an airport on Tuesday night for the Paralympic Games opening ceremony, whose theme, "We have wings," was meant to reflect the ability of para athletes to use headwinds to their advantage.
The ceremony began with a video of para athletes creating "wind" with their dynamic movements. Dressed in sky-blue costumes, about 100 dancers including some with disabilities performed at the stadium, before a huge fireworks display illuminated the night sky over central Tokyo.
Three large red, blue, and green balloons appeared to be blown by gusts of wind as they moved into position in the center of the stadium to form the Three Agitos Paralympic logo.
During the parade, the Paralympians wore masks and the teams walked apart as part of COVID-19 measures.
The three final torchbearers included wheelchair tennis player Yui Kamiji, 27, who is aiming to win gold in Tokyo.
She secured bronze in women's singles wheelchair tennis at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, becoming the first Japanese athlete to win a medal in the event.
On Tuesday night, Kamiji was joined by Boccia player Shunsuke Uchida, 19, and para-powerlifter Karin Morisaki, 18.
As the petal-like enclosure of the cauldron unfurled, all three raised their torches in unison and lit the Paralympic flame.
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