US swimmer Michael Phelps hogged the limelight in the Water Cube during the Olympics, but Chinese swimmer He Junquan is set to steal the show during the Paralympics.
The four-time Athens Paralympic gold medalist feels he in top shape to compete in his third Paralympics.
"My goal is another two gold medals in this Paralympics, but I will try my best to sweep all the four gold in the events I will participate," He said.
Four years ago at the Athens Games, his victories in the backstroke, butterfly, individual medley and freestyle relay helped China consolidate its leading position on the medal table.
"It will be hard to emulate that feat this time, as I feel I am not as strong as I was," the 30-year-old said.
To reach peak condition for this competition, He trained more intensely – practicing more than 4 hours and swimming at least 10km every day.
"I go all out in every training session and competition. I tell myself to achieve my goal by all means," said He, who lost both his arms at a young age.
As a result, He must swim at least one arm length faster than others to win.
Where most other swimmers press the touch pad with their hands to finish the lap, he must use his head to do so and stop the clock.
"The pain in my head lasts for about two weeks after each competition because of the force of the head hitting the touch pad," he said wryly.
"An accident at an early age deprived me of my arms, but my Paralympic dream gave me a pair of wings, which encouraged me to conquer all difficulties," he added.
The accident he refers to took place when he was just three years old. Electrocuted when climbing up a power pole, both his arms were badly burnt and had to be amputated to save his life.
But this didn't stop him from giving up swimming.
After practicing endlessly in a pond near his village, he learnt how to balance in water and swim without arms.
In 1995, He was recommended by the local disabled persons' federation to compete in a selection trial in central China's Hubei province.
Within a year, he won two silver and broke the 100m backstroke world records at a national disabled persons' games.
After strong form in a series of national competitions, He set out for his first Paralympic Games in Sydney in 2000, where he claimed gold in the men's 50m butterfly.
Four years later in Athens, the haul quadrupled to four gold medals and he set three new world records.
According to He, the Beijing Paralympics may be his last and he is relishing the opportunity of a triumphant farewell before a home crowd.
Spectators will no doubt agree with Deng Pufang, chairman of the China's Disabled Persons' Federation and BOCOG executive president, who once said: "Able-bodied racing can light up your passion for sports but watching He in action can touch your soul."
(China Daily September 7, 2008)