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No loneliness for this distance athlete

By Tang Zhe (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-16 08:22

Liu Wenjun powers her way to the finish line in the 5,000m T54 event on Tuesday. [Photo by Yang Shizhong / China Daily]

Liu's solitary performance wowed the crowd at the Aoti Main Stadium

GUANGZHOU - Though Liu Wenjun was the only athlete running in the women's T54 5,000m, she was not lonely as the whole Aoti Main Stadium was behind her.

She received rousing cheers from the crowd and was accompanied throughout her run by a continuous Mexican wave.

"I didn't run alone as I felt all the audience was with me in the event," said the 25-year-old. "They were so passionate and gave me a lot of power and confidence."

According to Asian Para Games regulations, no medals will be presented if less than four athletes or two countries participate.

"It's not a pity for me to finish the event (5,000m) without a medal," said Liu, who won a silver in Wednesday's women's 100m T54. "I'm here to challenge myself and it's really good that I didn't disappoint all the people who supported me."

The athlete, who lost her right leg in an accident at the age of two, became an all-round star after years of practice. She broke the world record and claimed her first Paralympic gold in the women's 4x100m relay T53/54 at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. She also took part in 100m, 800m and marathon T54 races in Beijing.

Besides the 5,000m and 100m races, Liu will also compete in the 1,500m and the 4x100m relay at the games.

"Doing 15 circuits is just a warm-up for me in daily training," said Liu, who didn't look tired after the 5,000m race. "I have to practice five to six hours a day and my training is no less intense than normal athletes."

After graduating from secondary technical school in Wuhan, Liu decided to wear a prosthesis in order to find a job. Luckily, she met an official from the Wuhan Disabled Persons' Federation during her search for work and was asked to take up athletics in 2005.

"My family was not wealthy and our financial condition really improved a lot after I got involved in athletics," she said.

"The sport also helped improve my physical condition because I rarely did any sport and always stayed at home before I started practicing athletics," said Liu, who has taken up some more hobbies with her teammates. "We always play cards, badminton and basketball together and I am very happy to have them beside me."

After taking part in so many events, Liu has grown from an introverted girl to an Olympic champion and now seems as confident as her idol, champion Chinese 110m hurdler, Liu Xiang.

"I was really excited when I saw him win the gold medal at the Asian Games," said Liu. "He has suffered from injuries for so long and the race was really important for him."

China Daily