Bian Jianxin waves to the audience after receiving the gold medal in women's 60kg category powerlifting at the Beijing Paralympic Games, September 13, 2008 (PHOTO BY WANG XIANG)

In the afternoon of September 13, spectators at the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium, the venue of Paralympic powerlifting events, could not believe what they saw on the screen board--three red lights--after Bian Jianxin of China failed her first attempt in the women's 60 kg category final.

The weight Bian tried was 134 kg, 0.5 kg higher than the current world record.

"I have to admit that I made a mistake. I did not pay much attention on the first attempt, because my best result in previous training sessions was 140 kg," Bian told Beijing Review after the match.

Shortly before her second attempt of the same weight, her coach Li Weipu pressed a bottle of ice water to her cheek to cool her down and pepped her up.

"Good lift," announced the jury. A new world record was created by the two-time Paralympian. On her third attempt, Bian managed to better the mark to 135 kg.

After the match, she held her coach tight with tears for joy.

A turning point

Born on January 3, 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 Li Weipu, her current coach who at that time served with the local disabled powerlifting team.

"The first time I saw her, a girl of not even 20-years old, I had a feeling that she would become a world champion one day because of her smartness," Li recalls.

Bian started training part-time with Li. She had to work in the day, and wouldn't leave the training hall until 10 p.m. Her bodyweight was only 40kg at the time but the daily training load was 20,000 kg.

In March 1994, Bian made a stunning debut at the World Weightlifting Championships in Melbourne, winning a gold medal in the 40kg category and bettering the world record three times over. Subsequently she bagged several domestic and international titles, including the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled.

"To be honest, I was in a dilemma. On the one hand, I wanted to seize every opportunity to compete; on the other hand, I was afraid of becoming a burden for my coach, who had to take care of me all the time," Bian told Beijing Review.

"My coach always encourages me so that I can focus on competitions. I am blessed to have him by my side," she said. "I've made up my mind to compete as best as I can to reward Li, who has changed my life."

Stay on course

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 40kg category with a third-attempt lift, setting a new world record weight of 102.5 kg and becoming the first woman in China to win a Paralympic gold medal for powerlifting.

"It was a really incredible experience, for I experienced so many ‘first times' at one Games. I could hardly find a proper word to describe my feelings on the podium," Bian recalls.

"I was totally absent-minded after the victory ceremony because the goal that I'd been pursuing for seven years was finally reached; I lost my direction," she continued.

Bian and her coach Li did not get on the shuttle back to the Paralympic village immediately. They kept silent on their way back as Bian was pushed in the wheelchair by Li.