So Wa-wai of Hong Kong, China, who hoped to win the gold, finally won the bronze in the Men's 100m - T36 on Tuesday.
"I am not very satisfied with my performance today. I stood at lane 9, which I was not used to, which affected the pace of my steps. So I am a little bit depressed. But I am looking forward to winning my best event, the T36 200m race, on September 15."
The 26-year-old athlete, a gold medalist in three Paralympic Games, is also the world record holder of Men's T36 100m and 200m. In 1996, So won his first gold medal in the 4x100m Relay race in Atlanta. Since then, he has collected four gold, two sliver and two bronze medals, as well as setting three world records in subsequent consecutive Paralympic Games.
He was born with jaundice, which harmed his listening and the balance of his limbs, but the boy was keen on running from childhood. When he was 10 years old, his enthusiasm for running was discovered by coach Poon Kin-lui, thus So began his formal training under intensive coaching. Five years later, their hard work was rewarded for the first time with a gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.
He almost missed this Paralympic Games, for his father, the bread-earner of the family, was injured at work, and he was forced to work to support the family. It was Andy Liu, a famous Hong Kong celebrity, who gave him a full-time job with the freedom to train at any time. Thanks to Liu, he was finally able to continue his training and his preparation for this Paralympic Games. Facing the realities of life and pursuing his athletic dreams have greatly helped him in nurturing good characteristics and broadening his mind. The support from society also motivates his sense of responsibility to help and encourage disabled people.
(BOCOG September 9, 2008)