"I am as ordinary as you guys, although I can't walk or run," said Bian Jianxin, the women's powerlifting champion at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, and world record holder.

Born in 1974 in Baotou, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Bian was diagnosed with polio as early as seven months of age. She worked in a local factory after graduating from high school, and in 1993, was introduced to a coach and started training part-time with the local disabled powerlifting team.

"To be honest, it was really a challenge to me, physically and mentally," she told Beijing Review with a big smile, showing off her muscles. "I had to work in the day, and wouldn't leave the training hall until 10 p.m. My weight was only 40 kg at the time but my daily training load was 20,000 kg, which means that I had to lift a bag of rice weighing 50 kg, 400 times. Look, my arms are stronger than those of men."

A brand new life

Fortunately, her hard work paid off. 20-year-old Bian made a stunning debut at the 1994 World Weightlifting Championships in Melbourne, winning three gold medals in the 40 kg category and bettering the world record thrice. Subsequently she bagged several domestic and international titles, including the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled.

In 2000, women's powerlifting was listed as a medal sport in the Sydney Games for the first time in Paralympics history. Bian won in the 40 kg category with a third-attempt lift, setting a new world record weight of 102.5 kg.

"I'm clean. I win because I have the ability," she said after undergoing drug tests. "I am Chinese and I am proud that I'm the first woman to win a Paralympic gold medal for powerlifting."

Her association with the Olympics and the Paralympics has solidified since then. She was appointed China's image ambassador during the country's bid for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, thanks to her contribution to China's disabled sports. She then went on to win the women's 48 kg powerlifting gold medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and bettered her own world record of 117.5 kg, surpassing the existing mark by 7 kg.

"I believe that no one can really beat you except yourself," she said. "The more matches I play, the higher my confidence. I have to admit that I used to look down upon myself, partly because of my handicap. But what I experienced are valuable treasures. To a great extent, sports have changed my life."

More than gold medals

Powerlifting has given Bian more than 14 gold medals, nearly 40 world records, applause, countless honors and awards.

During her 14-year career, she underwent four surgical operations, which left nine scars on her body. Her heavy training load over the years has left her right elbow unable to stretch properly. She wishes she could spend more time taking care of her baby son.

"My success can be attributed to my athletic skills and psychological fortitude," she said. "I'm now preparing for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, which appears to be my last Paralympics.

"As the Olympics and Paralympics approach, I think every Chinese athlete, normal or disabled, is eager to win gold medals on home soil. Of course, there will be huge pressures, but I'll try my best and fight till the end."

She added that she learned a great deal from sports -- her confidence is higher, horizons broader; even her English is better.

"I was asked to present a poem in English at a press conference in 1994," she said. "It was too embarrassing, because I didn't speak a word at the time. So I made up my mind to learn English. I finished a diploma course, thanks to which I can now communicate with foreigners without any difficulty.

"By the way, my English name is Hilda, which means ‘battle woman'."

Bian plays several roles. She was elected delegate for the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and is currently the deputy director of the Baotou Welfare Center.

"I will put my heart and soul into welfare work for the disabled," she said firmly, referring to her post-retirement plans. "As you know, it is impossible for me to work as an ordinary office lady. I promise that my title at the Center is not merely a nominal one."

Bian is in charge of the rehabilitation center and the medicare office. Thanks to her efforts, milk, hot water heaters and air conditioners are now available to more than 200 orphans and childless elders at the Center.

"There are more than 80 million disabled people in China," she continues. "I am blessed to have this opportunity to raise proposals and speak for them at the 17th CPC National Congress.

"One of my proposals is related to the nationwide construction and promotion of disability friendly facilities. In my opinion, it is part of the people-oriented governing concept, which needs to be promoted in a broader way; it also can be regarded as a symbol of economic and social development. Some careless drivers, for instance, always park their vehicles in the spots reserved for the blind or handicapped. I know that governments at the central and local levels have done a lot, but there remains space for improvement."