NAGOYA, JAPAN – Vietnamese para powerlifter Lê Văn Công has achieved what most athletes can only dream of.
He won gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, setting a Paralympic record with a 183kg lift in the men’s 49kg category.
He later claimed bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and silver at the 5th Asian Para Games in Japan 2026, securing Vietnam’s first medal at the Games.
But for the 42-year-old, powerlifting has given him more than a place on the podium; it has allowed him to travel, meet athletes from different countries, and experience cultures beyond his own.
“It has given me a new environment and helped me become more confident and open-minded,” he said.
Công was among seven Global Team Toyota Athletes selected to represent their countries at the recent 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where athletes competed across six disciplines: powerlifting, cycling, athletics, swimming, gymnastics and badminton.
Through the initiative, Toyota aims to support athletes not only in their sporting careers, but by helping them use their story to inspire others beyond the sporting arena.
Công is currently collaborating with Toyota Motor Asia on a project supporting children and young people with disabilities, leveraging sport and his own life story to encourage them to pursue their ambitions and participate more fully in society.
“I am a person with a disability myself,” Công shared. “I hope to reach out to younger generations who have experienced accidents that left them with physical disabilities. I know the challenges they face every day. Thanks to Toyota, I have the opportunity to help them make a much greater impact.”
Toyota’s “Dual Hero” approach to ‘Mobility for All’
The Global Team Toyota Athletes initiative reflects Toyota’s wider philosophy toward athlete partnerships, which extends beyond competitive performance.
Toyota Motor Asia (Singapore) Vice-President Preston Tan described this as the company’s “Dual Hero” approach, where an athlete’s involvement creates value for both themselves and the broader community.
Toyota seeks out athletes who are dedicated to personal excellence, he said, while remaining eager to make a difference in others’ lives. The approach is part of Toyota’s evolution towards its new vision: “Mobility for All”, recognising that limitations on physical movement can also restrict broader participation in society.
“As Toyota transforms from an automotive company into a mobility company, we are looking at how we can help people move and participate in society,” Tan said. “Movement brings opportunity, opportunity brings success into each community.”
Fueling next-gen excellence: Muhammad Ammar
That spirit of opportunity and growth resonates strongly with the team’s younger competitors, including Malaysian para athlete Muhammad Ammar Aiman Nor Azmi.
Ammar has established himself as one of Malaysia’s leading track stars, winning silver in the men’s T20 400m at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games with a time of 48.34 seconds.
He previously captured gold at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, setting both an Asian Para Games record of 49.32s and an Asian continental record of 47.80s, and later went on to represent Malaysia at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
For the young runner, managing the intense pressure of elite competition relies heavily on self-talk and family support.
“Some athletes listen to music before competing, while I prefer to step aside at the stadium and talk to myself, giving myself words of encouragement,” Ammar explained.
He added that knowing his parents and family are backing him keeps him centered: “When I step into the arena, I feel that I can give my best for my family and for Toyota.”
Having Toyota’s sponsorship provides an extra layer of drive as he sets his sights on the 2027 World Para Athletics Championships in Uzbekistan.
“It motivates us to work harder, achieve our goals and bring pride to our country and our families,” Ammar said.
Building sustainable support for para sports
Whether through veteran athletes like Công or young record-breakers like Ammar, Toyota’s support helps athletes pay it forward and create more opportunities for people with disabilities.
For Công, expanding systemic support for para athletes remains his main mission, helping them thrive in both sport and everyday life.
While noting that para sports in Vietnam has gained increased attention from the sports sector and the public, he hopes that this greater visibility will translate into progress through targeted policies and resources.
“We need specialised equipment for each sport, as well as emotional and moral support,” Cong said. “Continued backing from the wider community will help us train, compete, and integrate into society with even greater confidence.”