Liu so proud to get China off mark

Prior to the Beijing Winter Paralympics, official biographical information on Liu Zixu was scant. His list of achievements, however, received a major update over the weekend.

Liu won the para biathlon men's sprint sitting event to grab China's first gold of the 2022 Winter Paralympics on Saturday. It was also the host's first ever Winter Paralympic gold on snow and in an individual event.

China's only previous Winter Paralympic gold medal was won in wheelchair curling four years ago in Pyeongchang.

Liu is making a habit of making history for his country. At the 2021 Nordic skiing Europe Cup in Vuokatti, Finland, he won China's first international title in para biathlon men's sprint sitting.

However, no one was expecting him to top the podium in Beijing, especially against tough rivals such as Ukrainian veteran Taras Rad and Team USA's Daniel Cnossen.

Liu wasn't even considered the top seed at national level. He finished second in the para biathlon sprint, middle and long sitting events at last year's Chinese Para Games.

"It's really a surprise. I was worried ahead of the race because I had been out of form in training over the last few days, especially in shooting," admitted Liu. "I was focused on today's race but I didn't expect much. I think that helped a lot."

Liu hit all 10 targets through two rounds to give him a 17.5-second advantage over second-placed Rad, who missed one shot.

Liu's left leg was amputated due to injuries sustained in a car crash, resetting the course of his life when he was 11 years old in 2008.

He was selected for archery training in 2013 by Shaanxi province para team, before switching to biathlon and cross-country skiing.

"The traffic accident left me without hope," Liu recalled. "But after being selected for the para archery team, I was determined to grab the opportunity, fulfill my potential, and embark on a sporting career."

Liu didn't quite make the grade in para archery, but excelled when he joined the national para biathlon and cross-country skiing team in October 2017.

"I am actually quite averse to cold weather, but frostbite is inevitable even when you're well insulated during training. I never thought of giving up despite the chilly weather making training so hard," he said.

"If you choose a certain direction, you need to keep going, hold on and stick to your dream. I am so proud to stand on the podium at the home Paralympics."

Liu will compete in three more events, and said: "I will try my best in those disciplines and hope I can have more good results."

Xinhua