'Cyclone' hits Paris, goes the distance for China's first gold

The cycling track at the Paris Paralympics, an oval-shaped 250-meter circuit with a steep 45-degree incline, challenges even the most skilled athletes. Those competing in the C1 category, who contend with significant physical impairments, might struggle to stay steady on flat terrain.

Yet, on this demanding track, they deliver electrifying performances of speed and determination.

Among them is the "Cyclone Kid", Li Zhangyu, a cyclist who has ascended to the top of the podium in four consecutive Paralympic Games. On the Paris track, it takes him just over three and a half minutes to cover 3,000 meters.

In the men's C1 3,000m individual pursuit final at the National Velodrome in Paris on Thursday, he shattered the world record in the preliminaries and went on to claim the gold medal — the first for China's Paralympic team in Paris. Just two days later, he added another gold to his tally in the men's C1-3 1,000m time trial.

After securing his first gold medal, Li celebrated with unadulterated joy, raising his arms in triumph and laughing out loud. During the awards ceremony, as the crowd erupted in cheers, he couldn't stop smiling.

When asked how it felt to win Paralympic gold in Paris, Li responded: "It made up for the disappointment in Tokyo." At the Tokyo Paralympics, Li had earned a bronze in the same event. Despite also taking home a gold and a silver, he wasn't satisfied. Determined to push himself further, the then 33-year-old chose to give it one more try.

To make his return to the Paralympic stage, Li committed to an intense training regimen. From strength conditioning to speed drills, often training up to seven hours a day. With multiple events to prepare for, ranging from short to long distances, Li's training load was the heaviest on the team.

Li Peng, who has coached the Chinese wheelchair cycling team since 2010, shares a deep understanding with Li Zhangyu. "We don't need to speak — just a glance at his eyes, and I can tell how he's feeling, whether his confidence is high or low," Li Peng said.

"He competes in a category with the most severe disabilities. Racing on a track with a 45-degree incline means he's constantly battling against himself," Li Peng added. "Overcoming yourself sounds simple, but in reality, what he's endured is far more challenging."

As a child, Li Zhangyu was diagnosed with congenital cerebral palsy. By the time he was one or two years old, he still couldn't walk, talk or even sit upright without support. But, the moment he got on a bicycle, everything changed — his hands and feet suddenly filled with strength. Despite his poor coordination and frequent falls, Li Zhangyu was determined. He always got back up and kept riding.

From then on, the bicycle became his most trusted companion. At 20, he became a competitive cyclist, discovering new purpose and direction through the discipline of training and competition. "Winning championships isn't what matters most to me," he said. "I hope to use cycling and competition to inspire others with my spirit and perseverance."

Over more than a decade of international competition, Li has amassed dozens of medals at the Paralympics, World Championships, and Asian Para Games.

After securing China's first gold medal at the Paris Paralympics, Li Zhangyu expressed his wish was to share his triumph with his family, who are thousands of miles away.

The rigorous demands of high-intensity training and competition have kept him apart from his family for much of the past few years. Following the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, he had mentioned his intention to return home to spend time with his loved ones, specifically aiming to teach his 8-year-old son how to ride a bicycle.

Reflecting on this, he chuckled and said, "I've started teaching him, but he hasn't quite mastered it yet. I'll continue when I get back. With a champion for a father, how could he not learn?"

"It's been five or six months since I last saw my family, and I miss my son dearly. Daddy has won a gold medal for you — wait for me, I'll be home soon."