Rong Jing

Rong Jing carries Chinese national flag at Rio Paralympics.[photo/china.org.cn]

Recommended by: Jiangsu Disabled Persons’ Federation

Reason for recommendation: Rong Jing, a member of the national and Jiangsu wheelchair fencing teams, is an athlete with a disability. Rong Jing acted as the Chinese delegation’s flag-bearer at the2016 Rio Paralympic Games, and won 3 gold medals for China.

Rong Jing wins a gold medal at Rio Paralympics.[photo/china.org.cn]

Rong Jing’s right leg was affected by polio when she was young, but she remained optimistic and independent as she grew up.

In 2004, Rong got the chance to join the Jiangsu Wheelchair Fencing Team where her specialty was dueling with sword and foil. With consistent hard training Rong has taken part in many international competitions and won one award after another.

Rong Jing(left) competes at fencing competition.[photo/china.org.cn]

In addition to her 3 gold medals at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, Rong won the Sportsmanship Award for Disabled Athletes at the 2016 Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

That ceremony was held at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing on January 15. Rong said that she was thrilled to win the award and wished that more people with disabilities would find happiness by taking part in sports.

Life as a fencer

Before she was 16, Rong was a total stranger to fencing. In 2004, she was chosen as an athlete by both Jiangsu’s fencing and archery teams. She decided to join the fencing team because she thought fencing was “cool and mysterious”.

With encouragement from her parents, Rong left school and went to Nanjing for training.

“When I first saw athletes in uniforms fighting for our country, I had an urge to join them and work hard for the honor of my country,” said Rong.

Training was difficult at the beginning. Rong barely had strength to carry a sword for a long time. But the encouragement and companionship of her coach and teammates supported her as she went through great difficulties.

Dreams and persistence

As an athlete, Rong always dreamt of winning a gold medal. She had experienced many ups and downs in international competitions before her spectacular Olympics success in Rio.

At the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Rong attacked her opponent before the official start of the contest, and was given a red card.

Before the group competition in London Rong’s waist was accidentally hurt, but she insisted on fighting with her teammates and went on to win a gold medal in the event, her first in any Paralympic Games.

At the 2013 World Championship in Hungary, Rong won two gold medals and one silver even though she was suffering from a shoulder injury. “The medals reminded me that the spirit of persistence was the key to success,” said Rong.

A national flag-bearer

Rong Jing was selected as the flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

“I am one of the many athletes with disabilities who are optimistic and hard-working, and I am very proud to be the flag-bearer for the Chinese delegation”, said Rong.

Rong’s parents sat by the TV at home to watch their daughter as the flag-bearer. “My parents have always been the biggest support to me. No matter what results I get in competitions, my parents are always there for me.” She stayed with her family for a month after the Paralympics.

Rong’s New Year’s resolution this year was to strengthen her fencing skills and teach younger teammates to help them progress.