Chinese powerlifter Bian fulfills her dream at Beijing Paralympics

Source: Xinhua | 09-13-2008 19:10

BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Powerlifter Bian Jianxin's dream come true at the Beijing Paralympics as the Chinese lifted 135kg to claim the gold medal of the women's 60kg category and broke the world record here on Saturday.

"To win a gold medal in Beijing has always been my dream," said Bian, 34, gold medallist of the women's 48kg category in 2004 Athens Paralympics. "Now it comes true."

"I feel more excited this time, as a champion we should always challenge our limits and ourselves. Even though I lifted 4kg less than my expectation, I won the gold anyway," she said.

Though she failed in her first attempt of 134kg, Bian succeeded in her second to break the world record. She then renewed her record to 135kg in her third lift. Bian failed at 136kg in her fourth attempt.

"It was a mistake to choose such a heavy weight in the first attempt," she said. "I didn't feel good physically. Fortunately, I made it in the next try."

Amal Mahmoud Osman of Egypt took the silver in 117.5kg, while the bronze went to Pa Igbiti of Nigeria in 110kg.

Born on Jan. 3, 1974, Bian started powerlifting at the age of 19. "I used to be a masseur after high school," she said. "One day when I was giving massage to a man, he felt I had strong strength in hands, so he recommended me to powerlifting coach Li Weipu. Li was very famous in my home town, so I wanted to see him out of curiosity."