About
What is Abilympics?
The world's skills competition for persons with disabilities — judged on profession, not on disability.
Ability Olympics Abilympics
The Olympics of Abilities
Skills that deserve a world stage
Abilympics brings together competitors with disabilities from around the world to demonstrate vocational skills — from carpentry and welding to web design, embroidery and cooking.
The name says it plainly: ability + Olympics = Abilympics — the Olympics of Abilities. It is a celebration of what people can do, measured against international standards of professional skill.
Explore the skills- Who participates?
- Skilled professionals with disabilities, selected through national programmes.
- What skills?
- Trades, crafts, technology, culinary, office and service professions.
- Where is it held?
- At the International Abilympics, every four years in a host nation.
- How is it judged?
- By professional standards — precision, technique and craftsmanship.
Every four years
The International Abilympics, 1981 → 2027
The first International Abilympics in Tokyo coincided with the UN International Year of Disabled Persons. The International Abilympic Federation was established in connection with the third competition in Hong Kong in 1991. Malaysia made its debut in Perth in 1995.
| Edition | Year | Host | Malaysia |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1981 | Tokyo, Japan | Did not participate |
| 2nd | 1985 | Colombia | Did not participate |
| 3rd | 1991 | Hong Kong | Did not participate |
| 4th | 1995 | Perth, Australia | Debut — medals won |
| 5th | 2000 | Prague, Czech Republic | Did not participate |
| 6th | 2003 | Delhi, India | Medals won |
| 7th | 2007 | Shizuoka, Japan | Medals won |
| 8th | 2011 | Seoul, South Korea | First Gold |
| 9th | 2016 | Bordeaux, France | Medals won |
| 10th | 2023 | Metz, France | Medals won |
| 11th | 2027 | Helsinki, Finland | Road to Helsinki |
Historical editions compiled from archived official records; cross-checked against International Abilympic Federation history where available. Full results by cycle are on the Champions page.
Two stages, one pathway
National and international programmes
National Abilympics
Malaysia's national skills competition. Since 1985 it has identified and celebrated skilled competitors across the country — the pathway to national and international representation.
Our history since 1985International Abilympics
The world event held every four years. Malaysia selects a delegation of national winners to compete against the world's best — the journey this site exists to fund.
Road to Helsinki 2027Why it matters
Because talent is talent — and every Malaysian with a skill deserves a chance to show the world what they can do.