Tan happy to bear the weight of responsibility in new role

Before each lift, Tan Yujiao sits quietly on the weightlifting platform, absorbing the moment, before unleashing a shout that reverberates through the arena. This ritual, she believes, helps her sync with the competition's rhythm, serving as both a release and a rallying cry.

"Every athlete on that stage faces not just their competitors, but also the challenge of surpassing themselves," she reflects.

At 33, Tan remains a formidable force, consistently pushing her own limits. Over 21 years, she has shattered the world record 21 times.

Most recently, at the Paris Paralympics, she lifted 142 kilograms in the women's 67 kg powerlifting final, beating her own personal best and clinching her third consecutive Paralympic title.

"The feeling of surpassing myself is incredible. I truly enjoyed this competition; it felt like a perfect match," Tan said.

She celebrated another achievement in Paris — being elected to the International Paralympic Committee Athletes' Council with 281 votes, making her the first Chinese athlete to assume the role.

"I look forward to representing athletes with disabilities on the International Paralympic Committee platform, and aim to serve as a bridge for effective communication between Chinese Paralympic athletes and the global Paralympic community," she said.

After more than a decade of international competition, Tan has not only consistently delivered outstanding performances, but also built lasting friendships with athletes from around the world.

With her sights set on the future, she is committed to embracing greater responsibilities and having a meaningful impact on the advancement of sports for athletes with disabilities.

At just seven years of age, Tan faced a life-changing ordeal when she developed osteomyelitis, which resulted in a disability in her right leg. For six years during elementary school, she was unable to participate in physical education classes.

In 2003, at the age of 13, after trying her hand at weightlifting, Tan's talent was evident and she was recommended for athlete selection by the Xiangtan Disabled Persons' Federation in Hunan province. Her coach, Peng Xiangrong, was immediately impressed when he witnessed her lifting weights well beyond what was typical for her age, leading him to invite her to join the team.

Within a month of training, Tan clinched her first championship at the Hunan provincial para games.

With unwavering support from her family, Tan embarked on her journey in competitive sports, expressing that becoming an athlete brought her immense joy and fulfillment.

By 2009, at 19, she had won her first national championship and earned a spot on the national team. That October, she made her international debut, swiftly claiming the title of world champion.

Since then, before every competition, Tan lets out a primal yell.

"It's a cry against my challenging fate, a shout for lifting the weight of my dreams," she explained.

Long-lasting friendship

At the awards ceremony of the Paris Paralympics, Tan took the stage in her prosthetics, bending down for a group photo and kissing the cheeks of silver medalist Fatma Elyan from Egypt and bronze medalist Maria de Fatima Costa de Castro from Brazil. The three athletes embraced warmly, with genuine smiles.

"We had competed together before, so we were quite familiar with one another. This time, we all achieved good results, and the friendly atmosphere really moved me," Tan said.

Following her gold medal win in Paris, Tan received an unexpected gift: a traditional Egyptian women's outfit from Fatma Omar, a 50-year-old powerlifting icon. Once rivals on the platform, Omar and Tan have since become close friends.

Their friendship began at the 2012 London Paralympics. "Omar has always been my idol. We hit it off immediately, and she had a great impression of me. During the London Games, she gifted me an Egyptian team uniform, and I was thrilled; I felt like she was an older sister," Tan recalled.

In the years that followed, Tan and Omar crossed paths at numerous competitions, greeting each other warmly and deepening their bond. When Omar moved to Tan's weight class, they became direct competitors.

During the women's 67 kg powerlifting final at the Tokyo Paralympics, Tan secured gold, while Omar claimed silver. After the event, Omar extended her heartfelt congratulations to Tan.

Last year, Omar announced her retirement from powerlifting, but their friendship remains steadfast. At the Paris Paralympics, she attended as an official with the Egyptian delegation. On the night of Tan's victory, the two reunited in the Paralympic Village, engaging in a long, joyful conversation.

"She cares deeply about my training and life, always encouraging me to keep going," Tan shared.

As the Games concluded, Tan prepared some special gifts for Omar: a box of West Lake Longjing tea and a handmade flower. "I hope our friendship blooms forever, just like this flower," Tan said.

Shared commitment

Before the finals at the Paralympics, Tan received an email from the International Paralympic Committee announcing her election to the IPC Athletes' Council.

From Aug 26-Sept 5, athletes at the Paris Paralympics cast their votes for over 20 candidates, representing exceptional athletes from various sports across four continents. Ultimately, in the voting, which involved 1,800 athletes, Tan secured one of top positions in the final tally.

Tan shared that she was nominated by the Chinese Paralympic Committee. During the Games, the IPC established a voting station in the Paralympic Village, showcasing candidates' photos and names. Each athlete could cast one vote, and candidates had the opportunity to introduce themselves in hopes of securing support.

Tan actively engaged with athletes from different countries and regions between events.

"This process tested my communication skills, and I feel I learned a lot," Tan said. "At first, I was hesitant when talking to foreign athletes, worried about being rejected. But, I quickly realized that reaching out often invites kindness in return, which helped me gain confidence."

Throughout her interactions, she also noticed the expanding influence of Chinese athletes with disabilities on the international stage.

"The phrase 'vote for Chinese athletes' proved effective when speaking with athletes from other countries. They might not know me personally, but they certainly recognize China. Many responded positively, saying, 'no problem', so their votes also reflect support for our country."

At the closing ceremony, Tan stood alongside five other newly elected IPC Athletes' Council members, embodying a shared commitment to advocate for athletes with disabilities.

Reflecting on her new role, Tan feels a profound and unwavering sense of responsibility.

"We need to make our voices heard and increase visibility; this is one of my future goals. If I can leverage my platform to draw attention to athletes with disabilities and promote the growth of disability sports, I see that as a success."