Veteran athletes shine with multiple gold medals at China's National Paralympic Games

Veteran athletes demonstrated their enduring class by winning multiple gold medals in track and field in Guangzhou at China's National Paralympic Games on Wednesday.

In the women's javelin F44 final, Jiangsu's Yao Juan claimed her second title at this edition. The 41-year-old world record holder led from the start, throwing 32.00 meters on her first attempt and improving to a winning distance of 35.26 meters on her second toss, comfortably surpassing her younger rivals.

Earlier in the competition, Yao triumphed in the women's shot put F44. Despite the commanding performances, she emphasized that participation carries more significance than the medals.

"When I heard the radio saying 'we will see whether world record holder Yao Juan can break her own record today,' I felt excited and amused," she noted. "I think the record was set many years ago, so I am now older with some injuries, and my skills are declining. I was happy to come to this field, and I did not have too many requirements for improving my results. I just felt satisfied as long as I could participate."

Guangxi's Liu Cuiqing also came away with two gold medals. In the women's 200 meter T11 final, the Tokyo Paralympics champion and her guide Chen Shengming, crossed the line first in 25.12 seconds, adding to the title she won earlier in the women's 100 meter T11.

In the men's shot put F57 final, Guangxi's Wu Guoshan, the domestic record holder, dominated the competition. He clinched first place from the outset, with his opening throw of 13.32 meters locking up the top spot on the podium.