Name: Mao Zhongwu
Age: 36
City: Dalian, China
Occupation: Chinese national athlete and gold medal winner of Cross-Country Skiing Men's Middle Distance (sitting group) in the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games.
Disability: High paraplegia
How did you get involved with sports?
Mao Zhongwu: In 2017, a random chance brought me to sports. At that time, my friend held a table tennis match with the local Disabled Persons' Federation, and it was precisely because of this table tennis match that I started my sports journey. Then I joined the Dalian Disabled Persons' Federation Wheelchair Racing Team. I had training there for a year. In 2018 I joined the Liaoning Province Cross-Country Skiing Team. In May 2019, I entered the national team to prepare for the Winter Paralympics. During the years of preparation from 2019 to 2022, I finally participated in the Winter Paralympics.
How has sports changed your life?
Mao Zhongwu: When I was at a low point in my life, I started sports, which completely changed me both physically and psychologically. I came out of the shadows, won back confidence and optimism, and resumed a promising life.
As a senior athlete, please share with us your current training experience.
Mao Zhongwu: My first Winter Paralympics has been completed. I think 4 years is a small cycle, and 8 years is a big cycle. In the Winter Paralympic cycle, my age is definitely not dominant, but I never forget my original intention. I continue to complete the training tasks with high quality every day. The results this year are good, but there will be many changes in the next 4 years, including my age, new players, etc., but I will definitely do my best, and the gold medal is my goal.
What are your expectations for the next Winter Paralympics?
Mao Zhongwu: I wish for our Chinese athletes to achieve good results again, let the world know more about China, and let our national flag rise up in the arena in Milan, Italy.
REHACARE.com; Source: REHACARE Shanghai
