Chinese swimmer Wang Xiaofu made a comeback Monday night by winning a gold in the men's 100m freestyle S8, after a disappointing debut on the first day of competition at the Beijing Paralympics.
Wang's gold was the only medal China won in swimming yesterday but it was a day of redemption for Wang, who didn't make the podium on Sunday at the Water Cube.
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China's Wang Xiaofu celebrates his gold medal in the men's 100m freestyle S8 at the Water Cube yesterday. [China Daily]
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"I felt relieved after I secured this gold, which makes me more confident for the following events," said the 20-year-old, who carried the national flag for the Chinese Paralympic Delegation at the Opening Ceremony.
Born into a farming family in Yunnan province, Wang enjoyed a normal childhood until an accident, wehn he was struck by high voltage electricity. The muscle on one of his legs was badly damaged, and his right arm was so severely burnt it had to be amputated.
Despite the unexpected adversity, Wang's outstanding ability drew the attention of swimming coach Zhang Honghu, and Wang was admitted to the swimming team for people with disabilities at the age of 13.
"He has a talent for swimming, as physically, he has big hands and feet," said Zhang.
Wang never forgets the words his mother told him when he first left home for training in 2001: "Losing an arm doesn't mean you are inferior to other people. You can do more than those with two (arms)."
With his mother's encouragement, Wang has never given up on the sport, even when the training gets tough, swimming for seven hours and over 10,000 m a day.
He has had many successes since 2002, including five gold at the Argentina World Swimming Championships, three gold at the Athens Paralympics and five gold at the 2006 South African World Swimming Championships.
On the eve of the Beijing Paralympics, some media dubbed Wang the "Chinese Michael Phelps" on the Paralympic stage, but his response was modest: "I cannot be compared with Phelps as his achievements are far more than mine.
"But I do want to pocket more gold medals like him," he said, adding he has eyes set on seven upcoming events.