Ningbo Paralympic champion lights Asian Para Games' cauldron

Paralympic champion Xu Jialing, hailing from Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, made history on the evening of Oct 22, when she lit the main torch of the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

This marks the first time a person from Ningbo has been entrusted with this honor at the Asian Para Games.

Xu Jialing's journey leading up to this momentous occasion has been defined by resilience and triumph. Despite tragically losing her left arm in a car accident at the age of five, she sought solace and purpose in the pool. Recognizing her natural affinity for water, Xu's parents enrolled her in a swimming team, setting her on a path that would shape her life. Through years of unwavering dedication and her innate talent, Xu began to shine in various competitions.

Her breakthrough moment came at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, where she shattered the Asian record and secured the gold medal in the women's S9 100m butterfly swimming event, with a time of 1:07.90. Solidifying her reputation further at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games, she clinched a total of seven gold medals. In April 2021, Xu Jialing was honored as an outstanding disabled athlete.

At the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, Xu is set to compete in a variety of swimming events, including the women's 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley, and 400m freestyle. Expectations are understandably high, considering her proven track record.

It is also worth highlighting that on Sept 23, Wang Shun, another native of Ningbo and an Olympic champion, had the privilege of igniting the main torch at the Hangzhou Asian Games.