2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics: China to make debut in biathlon at Winter Games

World
Europe

As we mentioned, for the first-time ever China will have competitors entered in the biathlon at the Winter Paralympics. Chu Beibei is one of five entered in the discipline and is hoping to have a strong showing in South Korea.

Chu is the first biathlete from this country to earn a spot to the Paralympics. A ninth place finish in qualifying is made even more impressive, knowing that you can count the number of times she had actual shooting practice on two hands.

CHU BEIBEI CHINA BIATHLETE "I was so upset when I would miss a target at the beginning, that's because I did not have a lot of real shooting practice, but then I hit four out of five targets and qualified for the Paralympics."

ZHU DEWEN CHINA CROSS-COUNTRY COACH "She has been working very hard, and I think she can finish in the top eight. Sports is very unpredictable, I think if she can shoot well, she will surely have a good result in Pyeongchang."

The 30-year-old Chu began cross-country skiing in 2013. It was not long after that she became a champion, winning all the women's sitting competition gold medals at the National Championships in 2016. She would finish in eighth in both middle and long distance competitions of the IPC Cross-country skiing Championship in 2017. She is now hoping for a better result at the Paralympics.

CHU BEIBEI CHINA BIATHLETE "I'm eager to hear our national anthem at the Games, and I think if that happens, my coach will be excited and may even cry. I will try hard to win, not only for me, but also for our team and for my country."

The Winter Paralympics is a chance for Chinese competitors to look past their physical limitations and inspire other disabled athletes.