Hong Kong’s Yu is Training for Paralympic Gold

06 Mar 2012 By IPC

“I think Paralympic Games is a very good platform for disabled people to show their abilities. I would like to show people that disabled athletes are confident and they can also serve society”

Hong Kong’s Alison Yu has been training hard to repeat her Beijing 2008 Wheelchair Fencing victory at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Yu trains for three to four hours every day, doing both technical and physical training.

“Our training is very hard of course. No pain, no gain,” she said with a wink, revealing a charming girlish energy.

“Although the training is very hard, I enjoy it a lot because I make many friends in the fencing hall,” said Yu, who is also a member of the IPC Athlete’s Council.

The 27-year-old has an unwavering determination and the ability to continue to motivate herself, even when she does not always win.

“My one piece of advice is never give up and you will always have the opportunity to show your abilities,” she said.

Yu’s leg was amputated due to cancer, but that never stopped her from aiming high.

“In the old days, people would say ‘Poor girl, because she lost her leg, her life is going to finish’ but my family support me and I never give up and I have now found my favourite sport and I can be the world champion,” she said with a broad smile.

Since first winning gold at the 2002 World Championships, Yu has continued to top the podium in the Foil and Epee events.

In Athens, she took gold in both events by comfortable winning margins.

At the Beijing 2008 Paralympics she added to her medal horde by winning gold in the Foil and silver in the Epee.

“I have already participated in two Paralympic Games. For London, I hope I can bring back some medals to Hong Kong and I hope the colour of them is gold.

Yu is a passionate advocate of Paralympic Sport and hopes the London Paralympics will also change perceptions of people with a disability.

“I think Paralympic Games is a very good platform for disabled people to show their abilities.

“I would like to show people that disabled athletes are confident and they can also serve society,” she said.