2020 Tokyo Paralympics: Zheng Tao, China’s Armless Swimmer, Stuns in the Pool with Four Gold Medals
Follow Us
Zheng Tao, Tokyo Paralympics
The Tokyo Paralympics are the grandest stage where para athletes from all over the world come together to not only celebrate sports but also show off their talents and skills. Paralympians never fail to impress, with their incredible grit and perseverance to achieve things considered impossible.
One such individual is China’s swimmer Zheng Tao, who took home four gold medals at his third Paralympic Games. The 30-year-old’s victories are quite impressive to say the least, considering Tao lost both his arms in a childhood accident.
Competing in the men’s S5 category, Tao took the top spot in four races, the first of which was the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay. He then clinched gold medals in the men’s 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke as well as the 50m butterfly, asserting his dominance by winning a gold in every style of swimming.
Zhang Tao’s Incredible Journey to Win 4 gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics
Often nicknamed the armless swimmer, Tao lost his upper limbs when he was a child due to an electric shock. Taking up the sport in 2004, Zheng made his International debut in 20010 at the World Championships in Netherlands. He represented the country at the 2012 London Paralympics and won a gold in what would go on to be his most noteworthy event, the 50m backtroke. He also took home 2 silver medals at the Games.
The 2016 Rio Paralympics saw Tao defend his title in the backstroke event, while picking up a silver in the men’s 50m Butterly. The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics saw only gold medals for the Tao, with the swimmer finishing his events with 4 gold, defending his backstroke title and bettering his butterfly record.
Tao’s gold medal in the 50m backstroke race was a special one, as he set a new world record with a time of 31.42s. The win was widely celebrated on social media as it also marked China’s 500th Paralympic gold since the country first competed at the 1984 New York Paralympics. Zheng is truly an inspiration to everyone all over the world, showing that nothing is impossible.
Stay Updated!
Saivee Phatak
(1164 Articles Published)