Blood, sweat and cheers

Brotherly bond

At 22, Qu Zimo is the team's lighthearted spirit, and despite his youth, he's already the most decorated Paralympic gold medalist in China's para badminton squad. At the Tokyo Paralympics, he secured gold in men's singles WH1 and, alongside teammate Mai Jianpeng, clinched gold in men's doubles WH1-WH2. In Paris, he successfully defended both titles. " I'm not one to make bold statements, so I didn't mention my goals in pre-event interviews," Qu said. "But now I can proudly tell the world-I was determined to win both golds again, a goal I set right after Tokyo."

Qu attributes much of his development to his 35-year-old teammate Mai, who has been with him every step of the way.

A decade ago, when Qu joined the team with no prior experience in badminton, he shared a dorm with Mai.

"Mai was the best in the wheelchair category when I first joined, and I set him as my benchmark," Qu recalls.

As Qu improved, the two became doubles partners. They frequently watched match replays together, analyzing both their own performances and that of their opponents, gradually building a seamless partnership.

"He's taught me so much — not just about badminton, but about life," Qu said. "Mai's calm demeanor balances my impulsive nature. During matches, he's always reminding me to stay grounded. Overexcitement can scatter your focus, and in competition, that's something you can't afford."

Beyond the support from his teammates, Qu highlighted the immense dedication of the coaching staff throughout this Paralympic cycle, crediting their detailed preparation and tailored training plans for the team's success.

"Our coaches handle multiple athletes, and while we might have just one match and can rest afterward, they're working tirelessly from 8 am to 10 pm every day," Qu said.

He also praised the coaches as "all-round experts", not only guiding athletes in training, but also addressing their personal challenges and helping them stay focused and emotionally balanced.