Nantong athletes, coaches to participate in Paris Paralympic Games

Weightlifter Gu Xiaofei from Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

China formed a 516-member Paralympic delegation in Beijing on Aug 16, including two athletes and two coaches from Nantong, Jiangsu province.

Gu Xiaofei, aged 35, currently represents both the Chinese and Jiangsu province para weightlifting teams. Throughout the past decade, Gu has amassed an impressive collection of 30 gold medals and 10 silver medals from top-tier international and national competitions, setting multiple world records along the way.

This marks Gu Xiaofei's fourth appearance at the Paralympic Games, with dreams of ascending to the top of the podium at the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games.

Qian Wangwei, aged 30, is a member of the Chinese para cycling team. She is working to overcome congenital cerebral palsy and physical limb deformities with unwavering determination.

Qian has shattered world records and clinched numerous world championships. This will be her second participation in the Paralympic Games, where she will compete across four different events.

Zhang Haidong is serving as the coach of the Chinese para weightlifting team. A former para weightlifting athlete, Zhang clinched four gold medals at the Paralympic Games throughout his sporting career. This year is his second time serving as coach, and he is guiding a team of four talented individuals in their pursuit of gold medals.

Coach Sheng Yuhong presides over the Chinese women's sitting volleyball team. Initially excelling as an able-bodied volleyball player and representing the national youth team in 1990, Sheng transitioned to sitting volleyball following a serious injury.

Under her guidance, the Chinese women's sitting volleyball team has triumphed at three consecutive editions of the Paralympic Games over the past two decades.