Asian Teams

Champ sets eyes on London Paralympics

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-14 09:54

GUANGZHOU - When three-year-old Takuro Yamada was thrown into the water by his father, he was both thrilled and frightened. But now, the newly-crowned Asian Para Games swimming champ cannot tell where he feels better, in the water or on land.

Yamada made history on Monday as he finished first in the men's S9 400m freestyle final to claim the first-ever gold medal of the new-born Asian Para Games. But the 19-year-old was not quite satisfied, as he failed to break his personal best time.

In Yamada's mind, what matters is not just results, but that he also continues to improve.

Yamada was not a so-called born-to-swim talent. He was even afraid of water as a little child. Every time he took a shower, he would scream and cry.

"I was too young then to remember many things. I can't remember why I hated water, but what I can remember is that my father threw me into the water to help me conquer my fear," said Yamada.

His father succeeded. Yamada not only overcame his fear, but also began to enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by water. He started to learn swimming at the age of three.

At 13, Yamada had progressed so fast that he was summoned by the national team to compete for his country. But the amputee could not participate in the Olympic Games, as he did not have part of his left arm. In Athens, Yamada became Japan's youngest Paralympian.

In 2006, Yamada won a bronze medal at the 2006 FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 2008, the promising swimmer participated in six events during the Beijing Paralympics, but failed to make a dent.

Now, Yamada has finally won his first gold medal in a major multi-sports international games. And in the following four days of swimming competitions, he will also fight in 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle and 200m individual medley events.

Xinhua