Finding the champion within

With five Winter Paralympic medals in her collection and a heart-melting smile for the cameras, Zhang Mengqiu enjoys popularity that in the past was "unthinkable" for the Chinese star.

Now the 21-year-old para skier hopes her success on the slopes can inspire others — especially the younger generation — to bravely chase their dreams as she has done.

"I like the speed. I like the sound of the wind in my ears when I ski. It brings me excitement and joy," Zhang told China Daily online show On Your Marks at her team's training base in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province.

"Alpine skiing taught me that there are certain fights in our lives that cannot be avoided, and we need to keep pushing ourselves on the journeys we started. That's what I tell myself when I find it hard to keep going on, and that's what I want to share with everyone else."

Zhang made history at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics by pocketing five Alpine skiing medals, including two gold, at the National Alpine Ski Center in the capital's Yanqing district. Zhang admits even she was surprised by the stunning haul.

"The Winter Paralympics were truly unforgettable, especially the moment when I won my first gold medal, in the women's Super-G standing," she recalled.

"I had never ranked top-three in the sport's speed disciplines at any high-level international events, so I was truly surprised to be crowned champion. My heart never stopped pounding when I was standing on the podium."

All medalists at the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics were presented with a limited edition of the Games' mascot, Shuey Rhon Rhon. Dubbed "golden Rhon Rhon" by fans due to the mascot's golden garland, Zhang gave one of hers to coach, Xie Anhui, as a thank-you gift.

"She just showed up and gave me the golden Rhon Rhon. I was so happy and touched by this gesture because from the team's inception all the way to the highest podium at the Paralympics, it has been a very tough journey," said Xie.

"We didn't even have enough equipment for training when we started, so we needed to rent many things for our athletes. But now we have the best equipment and we made it to the top podium at the Paralympics. It was a journey full of hardships and challenges. So when she presented me with the golden Rhon Rhon, it was a rush of many emotions mixed together."

As well as her Super-G breakthrough, Zhang's eye-catching hairstyles and sweet smile proved a big hit with fans. Reflecting her effervescent personality, she sported a different hairstyle each time she stepped on the podium.

"I came up with that idea. My hairstylist was our translator, and my makeup artist was our team doctor. I said if I can make it to the podium at the Winter Paralympics in my home country, I want to make myself look special," she said.

Life-changing chance

Zhang was born with cerebral palsy, and for much of her life becoming a professional para athlete was unthinkable. However, a chance occurrence seven years ago changed everything.

"I was not good at school — actually I was pretty naughty. I had no clear plan for the future until Hebei's para skiing team reached out and asked me if I wanted to join a sports program. I said yes instantly as I was just thinking that it would mean less homework for me!" she explained.

Initially, Zhang could barely stay upright on skis and had plenty of bruises to show for her struggles. Due to her disability, finishing a 30-minute run was challenging enough, let alone speeding down a mountain.

"I still remember the first time I put on skis. It was on a small, flat slope for beginners," Zhang said. "I didn't know how to brake, and the skis were even taller than me. I fell down a lot, and I could not get up by myself because of the pain. Now I still have injuries on me caused by tumbling."

However, she refused to entertain the notion of giving up.

"When I was still a teenager, I always wanted to compete in the giant slalom. But usually my coach would object as it was too dangerous for me and I was too young," she said.

"I remember I was so happy when my coach signed me up for a giant slalom competition for the first time. I was thrilled and I had already prepared my skis. But right before the race started, I was again told that the coaching team had decided against it.

"It's a discipline that I love so much. I was so disappointed that I stormed off to the locker room and cried. I had that urge to win and compete. Whenever I failed to ski the fastest, I would ask myself if I could go faster and become the winner."

Coach Xie credits Zhang's steely resolve as a key element behind the young champion's success.

"The first time I met her was when she broke her ankle on a trampoline. It seemed to me like she was really easygoing and fun-loving, but later I saw how determined she was," said Xie.

"On the day of the giant slalom final at Beijing 2022, all of us were very nervous to watch her on the start line. I asked her after the final, 'What were you thinking before the race started?' She just told me she was sure that she had it."

From a young girl who struggled to stand upright on snow to becoming a Paralympic champion, Zhang has become a role model for the younger para athletes on her team. And she wants to pass on the same passion that fuels her relentless pursuit of speed to the young skiers.

"Alpine skiing made me fearless. When I first joined the team, I was a very shy and introverted girl. Gradually, I have changed," she said. "Now the young kids on our team are just like me years ago. I try to teach them skiing and give them advice. I hope to show them a path to success."