China News Service, Beijing, September 5th Title: Dialogue | Wang Jiachao: From losing his left arm to the first person in China's Paralympic Triathlon
Author Bian Liqun Li Xiang
After a lapse of 9 years, he once again stood on the stage of the Paralympic Games and won the fourth place in the triathlon event.
Wang Jiachao has played gold, silver and bronze medals in the Paralympic swimming events, but he said that this "iron medal" is more meaningful and has a deeper impression.
Wang Jiachao finally stepped onto the stage of the Tokyo Paralympics.
Picture source: IC photo
In this Paralympic Games, Wang Jiachao is the only triathlete in the Chinese delegation and the first Chinese participant in this event.
After 6 years, from scratch, Wang Jiachao finally realized his dream on the stage of the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
More importantly, sports has been fully integrated into Wang Jiachao's life, allowing him to find the meaning and happiness of life, and he has to pass this meaning and happiness to more people.
After returning to China for isolation, Wang Jiachao started a dialogue with Sino-Singapore Sports, telling his Olympic story and mental journey.
Getting connected with sports
Sino-Singapore Sports: How did you get involved in swimming and embarked on the road of sports?
Wang Jiachao:
I think I was selected by the swimming team. I lost my left arm in an accident when I was 5 years old. When I was 10 years old, I was selected by my hometown's Disabled Persons' Federation and joined the swimming team.
In fact, before that, I had learned to swim in the creek. At that time, I was more naughty. Even if I lost my left arm, I could climb trees and swim. I was a more "wild" person and liked to challenge.
It is also because the country vigorously develops sports for persons with disabilities, that I can step out of the mountains from a rural child, step out of the country, and stand on the world stage.
Sino-Singapore Sports: How did you weigh to go this way at the time?
Wang Jiachao:
I was young, but I didn’t really know how to make trade-offs. I just think it’s fun. My parents think it’s a good way. I can get out of the house, I can go to competitions, get medals, and the bonuses I get can also subsidize my family. .
In this way, I slowly opened up the road, my parents are also very proud, and will never worry about my life again.
Wang Jiachao in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Image source: Osports All Sports Photo Agency.
Paralympic memory
Sino-Singapore Sports: You are the first person in China to participate in the triathlon of the Paralympic Games. This is the first time that you will participate in the Paralympic Games again after 9 years. Talk about your feelings about participating in the Paralympic Games?
Wang Jiachao:
Actually, I have a lot of feelings this time. In two words, it means “not easy”. This Paralympic Games is very special. It is not easy for everyone. We have experienced too much pressure and stress caused by the epidemic. challenge.
Although it is a bit regretful to win fourth place this time, being able to participate in the competition also achieved the dream set for me at that time.
After all, this project was created from scratch. I can get the country’s recognition and become the only triathlete in the Chinese delegation. This process is difficult, but I have come through.
China-Singapore Sports: After the game, you cried in an interview. Why did you have such emotions at the time? Was it difficult to think of all these years?
Wang Jiachao: Yes, I was very cruel to myself in training. I was exposed to the sun to peel off, rode for more than 100 kilometers, punctured halfway, and got up at 4 in the morning. It was so cold that I didn’t want to get up, but still Force yourself up.
There is no coach by your side and no one to call you, just supervise yourself and overcome difficulties...
Thinking about those experiences and scenes, I really felt a bit bitter and difficult, so suddenly I couldn't help crying.
Including family members who said they felt sorry for me, these touched the softest part of my heart.
Sino-Singapore Sports: You once won gold in the swimming event at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. Recall the scene at that time?
Wang Jiachao: At that time I was very calm, because compared to the triathlon I am currently engaged in, I have not experienced so many things, and there will not be so many complicated emotions. At that time, the relatively simple coaches took them forward and participated. For the National Games and Paralympics, I was lucky to have won the championship.
Maybe I felt that this was a recognition and reward for my hard work.
On the contrary, this Paralympic Games, even if you won the fourth place, there are many things that cannot be expressed in language, which will make you cry.
Wang Jiachao at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Photo courtesy of the interviewee
From swimming to triathlon
Sino-Singapore Sports: Swimming and triathlon. In terms of your feelings, what is the difference between the two?
Wang Jiachao:
Triathlon requires a lot of abilities, not only to swim fast, but also to run fast, but also to have the ability to ride a bicycle, psychological adjustment ability, and so on.
Swimming is relatively simple, just put the accumulation of usual training into play in the competition, and just try to rush.
It is impossible for triathlons to rush forward all the time. More strategies are needed. How to rush forward, rest, nutritional supply, track adaptation, equipment adjustment, etc., is more complicated.
In the past, swimming was simply an athlete. There was no need to think too much about it. There were coaches to make plans and the team leader to help us handle everything.
After becoming a triathlete, the things and problems that I encounter are solved and overcome by myself, which will be more tiring, but it has also improved my abilities, such as communication, life, problem solving, etc., which are completely new to me The growth, the ability becomes more comprehensive.
Zhongxin Sports: From swimming to triathlon, what was the reason for the decision?
Wang Jiachao:
Triathlon was the stage of the Paralympic Games in 2016. After I knew it at the time, I thought it was a good direction for development.
Because in swimming, my height is not very advantageous. For others to swim, I may need two strokes. Others pay for an hour, and I need 1.5 hours. At that time, I felt that I couldn’t beat those who were taller than me in the swimming team. Athletes of China, then I will change the track. Anyway, no one in China participates in this event. I may become the first person if I participate.
In addition, I still have a challenge gene in my bones. I think I have won the gold, silver and bronze medals in the Paralympic Games in swimming. At that time, I wanted to go back to school to study. I have good knowledge of culture and English. After improving, I also have more confidence to try triathlon and face more difficulties and challenges.
In 2015, I actually wanted to try to participate in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, but unfortunately it was not set at our level, but I was not discouraged. The 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games will increase our level of official events. , Finally entered the competition as wished.
Wang Jiachao at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Sino-Singapore Sports: What is the most impressive experience along the way?
Wang Jiachao: The
most impressive thing is the experience of this Paralympic cycle.
From the beginning, I didn’t know where to sign up or how to train. All the way I asked: "Would you like to be my coach? Would you like to be my dietitian? Would you like to sponsor me?"
The Tokyo Paralympics was postponed for one year due to the epidemic. When I saw some news about the cancellation of the Paralympics, I felt very negative. I wanted to give up. I was thinking whether or not to go to the next stage of life sooner. Ready.
At that time, I searched for information about the Paralympic Games every day, and "Parallel Games" was always the first word in my search box.
In fact, I just need to train well, but I want to pay attention to it subconsciously and see if it can be held. From the bottom of my heart, I still hope that it can be held.
At the end of 2019, I accidentally crashed while training in Thailand. After that injury, I couldn’t lift my arms. At that time, I was living alone in Thailand and couldn’t take care of myself. I was trained there to help. I.
After that time, I also wanted to give up because swimming was a bit problematic. It dropped from 11 minutes and 10 seconds to 13 minutes, which was a particularly hard hit. But thinking of the coaches, and the support of my family and friends, it’s still I chose to continue and I have come to today.
Sino-Singapore Sports: This road is still quite difficult. What made you stick to it?
Wang Jiachao:
I think it is hope.
From scratch, never ranked to 15th in the world, and then to the third place at the end of 2019, I have always made progress. There have always been people willing to help me. The China Disabled Persons’ Federation has also seen my dedication. These hopes make I have the motivation to continue fighting.
In fact, I don’t know how long I will hold on, but it has become the norm in my life. I will make a plan to get up, train, take a bath, read a book, rest, and meditate the next day. Every day is very fulfilling and there is something to do , I enjoy it very much, even if one day I no longer participate in this project, I can still continue according to this normal state.
I have a particularly deep experience: if you can't control life, you will be controlled by life.
Wang Jiachao at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Sino-Singapore Sports: How will you adjust and motivate yourself when you encounter ups and downs?
Wang Jiachao:
I will do housework, run, go back to exercise, and secrete dopamine through exercise, which will make me happy again.
After enjoying the joy of exercise, the negative emotions generally disappear, and I can re-plan and start again.
Sino-Singapore Sports: What does sports bring to you, and what meaning does it mean to you?
Wang Jiachao:
Sports have allowed me to find the meaning of life, including my ability to use sports to influence others. This is also the meaning of my life and a mission.
I have been persuading everyone to get out of running and sweat more. I hope you can participate more in sports, spend less on medical expenses, and make more reserves for your physical and mental health.
Wang Jiachao in the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Sino-Singapore Sports: What are your plans in the future? Will you still participate in the Paris Paralympics?
Wang Jiachao:
I hope I can continue to try, but what will happen in the future may be because it is still in the stage of epidemic prevention and control. It will be very difficult to go abroad to compete. If I have the opportunity to go abroad, I am definitely willing to participate. Because I really love this project, it has brought me many things that I didn't expect and exceeded my expectations.
In the next step, I will not give up my love for this project. I will also introduce this project to more people so that they can experience the charm and value of triathlon. In addition, I will open my youth club to cultivate more young people. I hope that more people can experience the joy of sports and find the meaning of life.
(over)