Competing for gold in next month’s World Para Swimming Championships at London’s Aquatic Centre will be a dream realized for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games hopeful Wang Lichao from China.
The 25-year-old made a big impression at a major international event in April when he smashed two world records on his World Series debut in Indianapolis, and now he has set his sights on more glory.
The World Para Swimming Championships, the largest para swimming championships outside of the Paralympic Games, will take place from Sept 9-15 at the venue that hosted the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games swimming competitions.
When the British capital hosted the Games in 2012, Wang was watching on television,wishing that he might one day compete at the iconic pool, under the bright lights and with the crowds cheering him on.
“I remember thinking at the time, ‘it would be great if I could stand-out and compete in front of a big crowd like that, in such a spectacular and eye-catching place’,” Wang said.
Wang, from Zhejiang province in Eastern China, made an encouraging Paralympic Games debut at Rio 2016, where he won a bronze medal in the men’s 50 meter butterfly S6 class.
He said he felt “very honored” to win a medal in Rio, having only taken up swimming at the age of 13, five years after an electrical accident which resulted in him losing both arms.
“It was the first time I had won a medal in such a big competition – I was happy at the time, but I knew clearly that I still had to work hard,” he said.
Wang went on to break the men’s 50 meter backstroke and 50 meter butterfly world records, both in the S5 class, at the World Series event in Indianapolis earlier this year.
“I was eight years old when I lost my arms due to an accident,” Wang said. “At the time, I never thought I might represent my country in such a big competition, and win honors.”
“I want to thank my country for always caring, and giving me the chance to participate and show what I have got in swimming.”
Having cemented himself as “one to watch” at this year’s World Championships, Wang is now targeting qualification for next year’s Games in Tokyo.
“My goal at the World Championships in London is to secure a qualification slot for the Paralympic Games. I hope I can break more world records in the competition too. I am looking forward to all the events I will compete in and to achieving new best times,” he added.
Despite his record-breaking wins, the 25-year-old swimmer vows to stay grounded.
“An athlete should never become arrogant, and the results of the competition will not change my attitude. I will stay humble.”
Wang admits he dreams of winning gold in Tokyo next summer, and believes that, with the Games taking place in Asia, it could be an advantage for the Chinese team.
“It will feel familiar, and I don’t have to tackle a (big) time difference, and don’t have to adapt to the climate,” he said. “It will allow me to adapt quickly and achieve my best.”
