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Chinese Paralympic swimmer on his way to be "Phelps"
www.chinaview.cn 2004-09-20 05:57:54

(Photo: Xinhua)

    ATHENS, Sept. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Paralympic swimmer Wang Xiaofu has used to be a winner and he expects himself to be an all-time winner.

    "I won't accept a silver medal anytime at any competition," Wang, 15, said after winning the men's 100 meters butterfly S8 title at the 12th Paralympic Games here on Sunday.

    However, the beginning of his first Paralympic Games was not as propitious as he'd ever thought of.

    Ben Austin from Australia came up unexpectedly in the heat of the event Sunday morning, by setting a new world record of one minute 5.79 seconds.

    "I don't know much about him (Austin). Anyway, he did great," said Wang. "I thought the record he set was hard to break.

    "I felt pressure after the heat, because I am here to win. So I have to go ahead at full speed.

    "Fortunately, I found him even more nervous than I was before the final as he was afraid to look at me in my eyed. This helped me relax."

    Wang led slightly during the first 50 meters and threw off the strong squad of opponents for nearly two meters after the turn. He finished at a new world record of 1:05.20 and clinched the first gold medal for the 52-member Chinese swimming team.

    "It was surprising. I didn't think of breaking the record. I just want to win," said Wang.

    This is only the beginning of the young star's show in Athens.

    Winning five golds with two world records at the 2002 IPC world swimming championships, Wang has become the most promising young man in the Chinese team.

    As a all-around swimmer, he will compete in five more individual events and two relays here.

    "To be Phelps at the Paralympics? It would be great, but I haven't thought about it yet. Let's just wait and see," he added. Enditem 

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