'Basketball girl' proves herself in swimming pool

It took her some time to get used to the water, but once she did Qian found swimming was almost second nature.

In 2009, she won three gold medals in the provincial contests in Yunnan, as well as one gold medal and two silvers at national events.

In the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, she placed ninth in the 100m breaststroke.

"I like swimming. It changed my life and helped me see many wonderful things," she said in an interview.

Qian now works for the Luliang disabled people's federation. She said she wants to work to help other people with disabilities and assist them in facing life with courage.