Swimmer Du gifts China 1st gold at Beijing Paralympics

Source: Xinhua | 09-07-2008 19:09

BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's Du Jianping won the men's 100m freestyle at S3 class with a new world record here on Sunday to clinch the first gold for the hosts at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Du Jianping competes.[Xinhua Photo]

The 25-year-old Du, who set a new Paralympic record in the morning's heat at 1 minute and 42.95 seconds, took the winning time further down to 1:35.21 in the finals, shaving 5.87 seconds of the former world mark.

"I only won a silver last time, missing the gold, which I had wanted badly for three years. This time I competed on the home ground and it made me feel more excited and special," said the winner.

Du led the lane throughout the first lap but met strong challenge from Dmytro Vynohradets' comeback.