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September 21, 2021

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Discus thrower wins Paralympic gold, beats her own world record

Minhang athlete Zhang Liangmin has come under the spotlight again after winning gold in the Women’s Discus Throw F11 at the recent Tokyo Paralympics.

The 36-year-old won her third Paralympic gold with a throw of 40.83 meters, beating the world record that she set a decade ago. “I’m happy to win a medal and break my own world record,” she said. “It’s dream come true for me here in Tokyo.”

The Zhuanqiao Town resident studied in special schools for children with visual impairment. She was recruited into the Shanghai Sports Training Center for Disabled People in 2001.

Zhang has competed in the Paralympics four times. She said before departure for Tokyo that she was well prepared mentally and physically. She attributes her success to coaches Sun Peng and Sun Baoquan, who helped her through difficult periods.

She also paid tribute to former coach Wang Xingzhang, with whom she trained with for 12 years before he died earlier this year.

“We had a dream together to go for Paralympic gold three times in a row,” Zhang said. “Though he is not here with me today, I share the dream with him.”

Zhang’s parents were thrilled to watch their daughter perform on live broadcasts of the Games.

“I was a bit afraid to read any news related to the competition because I know our daughter went onto the field with some injuries,” said her mother Ju Fangying. “She lost 10 kilograms in training prior to the Games.”

Her parents’ support has been important in Zhang’s athletic successes.“She is already 36 this year, but she told us she would participate in the next Games if her condition permits,” Ju said.




 

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