Madura motif featured in Indonesian contingent's parade uniform for 2026 Asian Para Games opening

Fashion designer Ivan Gunawan has said that a Madurese motif features in the parade uniform design for the Indonesian contingent at the opening of the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 18 October.

According to Gunawan, the design theme to be used is ‘Sekar Jagad Vijaya’.

‘I am working to repopularise the sekar jagad batik motif from Madura, to which I have added vijaya. This motif is highly relevant to our friends who will be competing in Japan,’ Gunawan said in Jakarta on Monday.

Vijaya, he continued, means and symbolises victory.

He therefore hopes that Sekar Jagad Vijaya can motivate Indonesian athletes to win as many medals as possible at the 2026 Asian Para Games.

Gunawan said he deliberately travelled to the Indonesian Asian Para Games training centre in Surakarta, Central Java, because he wanted to communicate directly with the athletes.

He expressed admiration for the ability of athletes with disabilities to achieve world-class results despite their limitations.

‘I can only offer encouragement and support. For me, becoming an athlete in their condition is already extraordinary,’ said the 44-year-old.

Gunawan expressed pride at being involved in the largest disability sports event in Asia.

This is because it is the first time he has been involved in designing clothing for a professional sporting event.

He said he was grateful that his design was selected among other outstanding designers.

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games will be held from 18 to 24 October. Athletes from 45 countries will compete for hundreds of gold medals across 18 sports.