KUALA LUMPUR: The 9th Asean Para Games officially ended on a spectacular note at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight.
After one week of competition, hosts Malaysia ended their campaign, themed 'Rising Together', in second place with an overall haul of 258 medals (90 gold, 85 silver and 83 bronze).
Indonesia were crowned overall champions on 126 gold while Thailand came in third on 68 gold.
Earlier, the afternoon heat did not deter thousands of Malaysians from attending the closing ceremony.
The crowd, both able-bodied and disabled, were seen making their way to the stadium as early as 4pm.
The closing ceremony started with the welcoming of guests, including Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The 'NegaraKu' was then sung, followed by the march in of contingents from the 11 nations, and the Asean Para Sports Federation (ASPF) flag.
The crowds were thrilled when Rimau, the Games' mascot, made its way into the stadium followed by the para athletes.
Following speeches by Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM) president SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin and ASPF president, Major General Osoth Bhavilai, Zahid officially declared the ninth Asean Para Games closed.
SM Nasarudin said the 9th edition of the Asean Para Games was a successful one, hosted for the third time in Kuala Lumpur, which also staged the first Games in 2001.
“The past week we have shared some precious moments together. 1,421 athletes from 11 Asean nations competed in 368 sporting events, and new friendships were forged, in true Asean spirit.
"This spirit of togetherness and sportsmanship reflected the theme of the KL2017 Games ‘Rising Together’,” he said.
He added that the Games was extra special this time around because for the first time, 16 sports were contested, para cycling made its debut, and the Games got its first para mascot – the ever popular Para Rimau.
He congratulated overall champions Indonesia, and paid tribute to Team Malaysia for inspiring and bringing excitement to the country with their sporting excellence.
"Athletes, you have shown us that nothing is impossible. Life is about rising above yourself, and not how others perceive of you," he said.
The spectators at the stadium later shifted their focus to the Games torch which was then put out — signifying the end of the event.
SM Nasaruddin then handed over the Games flag to Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin who in turn handed it over to Bhavilai.
Bhavilai then handed over the flag to Michael Barredo, president of the Philippines Paralympic Committee who will host the 10th edition in Manila in 2019.
The national anthem of the country was then played followed by the raising of flag.
International artiste Yuna later took to the stage to entertain the crowd with six of her songs, Falling, Best Love, Lights & Camera, Terukir di Bintang, Crush and Rescue.
The curtain came down on the ninth Asean Para Games with a brilliant show of fireworks around the National Stadium, marking the end of a memorable event after the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games last month.