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Mike Chan

China’s Jiang Yuyan said she had to overcome a bout of stage fright to retain her 50 metres freestyle S6 crown and claim her country’s first swimming gold at the Paris Paralympics.
Jiang revealed she was “more nervous” in the French capital than when she took gold at the last Games in Tokyo, but she managed to find some composure in time to win in 32.59 seconds on Thursday (local time).
“When you’ve trained to a certain level and you know you’re capable of being among the world’s best, it makes you want the medals even more,” Jiang said.
“Three days ago, I was still feeling like I wasn’t in the competition mindset yet. I know that I have what it takes to get onto the podium, but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get myself there mentally.

“I told myself I would swim every race like a final, I wanted to find my competition momentum. How I did in the heats this morning gave me confidence for the final.”
Jiang broke the Paralympic record in her heat with 32.70 to qualify fastest. And her time in the final lowered it again, as the six-time world champion won ahead of Ellie Marks of the United States, who clocked 32.90, and Anna Hontar of Ukraine, in 33.01.
“I probably give myself too much of a burden,” said Jiang. “I must work harder on shedding that.
“The greatest pressure comes from myself, not my family or my coach. But for me, I feel that if I’m here, I should do my best to win more medals for my country.”
Less than 30 minutes after Jiang’s victory at the Paris La Defense Arena, compatriot Chen Yi added another gold to China’s medal table with a stunning swim to triumph in the women’s 50m freestyle S10 final.
The swimmers doubled China’s gold medal haul from the two won earlier in the day by track cyclists Li Zhangyu and Wang Xiaomei, and got the country’s quest to top the Paralympic medals table for the sixth straight time off to a strong start.
Fellow cyclist Liang Weicong also won a silver.
“I didn’t expect this at all,” said Chen. “I didn’t think I would win gold.”
In her final, 23-year-old Chen stormed to the finish line in a world-record time of 27.10 seconds. US swimmer Christie Raleigh-Crossley came in second in 27.38 while Aurelie Rivard of Canada was third in 27.62.

It was the first individual Paralympic gold for Chen, who won a silver and a bronze in Rio de Janeiro back in 2016.
“To break the world record, of course, I’m happy about that, but I’m also not thinking more [than that]. My performance in the heats [27.73, Asian record] was already my best, so I thought I’d just go for it in the final, try to get on the podium.”
Chen added that she and Jiang were good friends and she “felt happier for her to win gold than winning gold myself”.


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Paris Paralympics: Jiang Yuyan beats ‘greatest pressure’ for China’s first swimming gold

China’s Jiang Yuyan won gold in the 50m freestyle S6, breaking the Paralympic record twice in one day. Photo: AFP

Jiang Yuyan said she was more nervous than in Tokyo, where she also won the 50m freestyle S6. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Chen Yi wins the 50m freestyle S10 in a world record time. Photo: Xinhua

Paris Paralympics: China’s Li Zhangyu says cycling gold makes up for Tokyo ‘regret’

Li Zhangyu’s win in the C1 3000m individual pursuit was China’s first of four gold medals on day one of the Games. Photo: AP

Gold medallist Wang Xiaomei set a world record in the women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit. Photo: AFP

Paris Paralympics: Hong Kong’s John Lee praises ‘extraordinary’ Chan Yui-lam after silver

Chan Yui-lam is overcome with joy as she clinches a silver medal in the women’s 100 metres butterfly S14 at the Paris Paralympics. Photo: Reuters

Chan Yui-lam shows her joy at winning silver after missing out on the podium three years ago. Photo: Reuters

Paris Paralympics: Zakia Khudadadi dedicates first refugee medal to ‘women of Afghanistan’

Zakia Khudadadi from the Paralympic Refugee Team is carried by her French coach Haby Niare after she won the bronze medal. Photo: AP

Zakia Khudadadi, who was granted asylum in France, was cheered on like a local throughout the day. Photo: Reuters

Sport

China

Other Sport

Jiang’s triumph followed by another for Chen Yi after cyclists Li Zhangyu and Wang Xiaomei opened China’s gold medal account


Jiang’s triumph followed by another for Chen Yi after cyclists Li Zhangyu and Wang Xiaomei opened China’s gold medal account.


Swimming