On the 28th, the fifth day of the Tokyo Paralympics, a swimmer who was once involved in the family's heart and lost both parents and legs challenged the Paralympics for the first time.
Get caught up in the family
18-year-old American Shepherd player.
Born in Vietnam, Shepherd was 1 year and 4 months old, and in 2004, he was held by his parents who had a bomb wrapped around his body and was involved in the whole family.
Her parents died in the incident, but Shepherd miraculously survived with amputations below her knees.
Shepherd recalls, "I am very grateful that I was saved because I just lost both legs where I might have lost my life."
After that, he was adopted by an American couple and began to devote himself to swimming because he didn't have to wear a heavy prosthesis and could feel free.
In this tournament, which was her first appearance in the Paralympics, Shepherd passed the qualifying round in the women's 200-meter individual medley motor dysfunction class held on the 28th and entered the final.
"I want to show my own personality in Tokyo and have fun." In the
introduction of the players before the final, I entered with a smile while
raising
both hands.
In the race, he fought for 3rd place in the first half of the butterfly stroke and backstroke, and although he dropped in the second half, he showed a strong swim to the end, set a personal best with a time of 3: 3: 59, and achieved the 5th place prize. ..
After the race, Shepherd spelled out his gratitude to the people who supported him on SNS, saying "Thank you very much, everyone."
Shepherd, who arrived at the Paralympics after a spectacular life, said, "We are all imperfect, but everyone can work on what they want to do and I love the opportunity in front of me." I am talking positively.