Teenage Chinese swimmer Jiang Yuyan took her seventh gold of the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Saturday, breaking the Paralympic world record in the process, in the women’s 100m backstroke S6. The 19-year-old, who lost her right arm and leg in a car accident when she was four, relegated the defending champion Jessica Long from the USA to silver on the final day of competition in the pool.
Jiang’s victory capped an authoritative 30-minute period for China at the La Defense Arena, as three Chinese swimmers went on top of the podium. China made it a sweep of medals in the women’s 200m individual medley SM5 to confirm its position at the top of the swimming medals table for the fourth successive Paralympic Games.
It’s really incredible for me,” Jiang said. “I just focus on finishing each small goal, rest, and then start again. My next challenge is improving the world record. From now on, my competitor is myself.”.
Meanwhile, Jessica Long-a double leg amputee-added to her illustrious career an 18th Paralympic gold, her 31st in total since her debut at the Athens 2004 Games, cruising to victory in the 100m butterfly S8.
China’s dominance in the pool was a fitting finale to an unforgettable swimming competition at the Paris Paralympics.
