Cuiping Zhang claimed the first gold of the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the 10m rifle standing SH1 event, setting a world and Paralympic record in the process.
The 25-year-old from Handan City, Hebei province in China has been involved in the sport since 2003 after being selected by the Hebei para-shooting team during a recruitment drive.
Zhang, who contracted polio that affected the use of her legs at age three, became a Chinese team member in 2006 and opened her Paralympic medal account, pocketing two silvers at the Beijing Games.
At the 2010 IPC Shooting World Championships, Zhang won another two silver medals in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 and 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 events.
Her coach, Wang Ping, described Zhang as having a great mental strength and this innate ability helped her to two titles at the London 2012 Paralympics.
Post-London 2012 Zhang has no intention of giving up on the sport she loves.
“I have no thought to stop shooting as I love it,” she said. “As long as my performance continues well, I will continue to shoot.”
