Newcomers and Veteran Champions in Taiwan's Paralympic Squad
Taiwan's team for this year's Paralympics contains athletes competing in the Games for the first time as well as a veteran champion who's taking part in her sixth at the age of 42. Sandy Chi meets some of the squad heading to Paris.
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00:00Giving it all they've got and determined to thrive at the upcoming Paralympics in Paris
00:07this summer, Taiwan's para-athletes are ready to bring home glory.
00:13This year, a total of 13 athletes will be competing in seven sports under the name Chinese
00:18Taipei.
00:19The team is more confident this year, after having been allowed access to facilities at
00:24the National Sports Training Centre in southern Taiwan.
00:27It's the first time such resources have been dedicated to the Paralympic team.
00:31I feel that the athletes are full of confidence.
00:34They will be better than the last time, even better than the last time.
00:38They have a strong desire to win medals.
00:42At the last Paralympics in Tokyo, Taiwan claimed just one medal,
00:47with Tian Xiaowen bringing home a bronze in table tennis.
00:50She's hoping to go further this time round.
00:53I'm constantly improving my mental state, communicating with my teammates,
00:59and improving my technique.
01:03I hope I can be more delicate.
01:07In taekwondo, many eyes are on Xiao Xiaowen, who ranks fourth in the world in his division.
01:13I was pretty nervous during the preparation, but I was also pretty excited.
01:16I stepped on such a big stage, and I put a lot of effort into preparing for it.
01:20Now is the time to prepare for the competition,
01:23so I will try to improve my physical fitness,
01:26and improve my technique so that I can achieve better results.
01:30Paris will be Xiao's first Paralympics.
01:33But at the other end of the experience scale is powerlifter Lin Zhihui.
01:37Now 42 years old, she's going for her sixth Paralympics.
01:41Lin won gold in her events in 2004 and 2008.
01:46For her, the Games are about more than just glory for her country.
01:49They also contain a promise to herself and to the sport.
01:53I've found a lot of success and glory in building this sport.
01:59I'm very grateful to the Games for giving me all this.
02:03I will continue to do so because I don't want to let the Games down.
02:09They've given me all this glory.
02:12From young to old, new Paralympians and veteran champions,
02:16Taiwan's squad are ready to make their mark in Paris.
02:19Alex Chen and Tani Chi for Taiwan Plus.