Full coverage: 2016 Rio Paralympic Games

With nine days to go until the Rio Paralympics, the China's women's wheelchair basketball team are completing their final preparations for the Games. The ladies earned their spot by winning the the Asia-Oceania Championships late last year, and hope for more success in Brazil.

The team is made up of 14 players, seven of whom have already competed at the Paralympics. Compared to traditional basketball, the wheelchair version of the sport can be more challenging as the athletes regularly collide with each other, resulting in players tumbling to the floor. Their hands are also occupied with both controlling the chair and the ball, which causes obvious difficulties.

China's women's team was established in 2005, and their current coach Xu Yuansheng led them to a fifth place finish at the 2012 London Paralympics, and gold at the 2014 Asian Para Games. And for some of the players, the sport provides them independence.

"Playing basketball helps me build confidence and be independent. I think I can have a career of my own, and it offers me a platform to connect with the world outside. It's a good opportunity for disabled people," said Long Yun, China captain.