Jiang Yuyan, a young swimmer from Zhejiang, achieved a remarkable victory at the 2025 Paralympic World Swimming Championships held in Singapore on September 21. She secured the gold medal in the women”s 100 meters backstroke S6 category, finishing with a time of 1:20.13, which also established a new championship record for the event.
Jiang”s journey has been incredibly inspiring. After a car accident at the age of three resulted in the loss of her right arm and leg, she was nurtured by a supportive family and community that encouraged her to grow alongside able-bodied children. At the age of seven, she began her swimming lessons, where the guidance of her coaches and unwavering family support played crucial roles in her development.
Her athletic career has been marked by significant achievements, including breaking three records during the Tokyo Paralympic Games, setting six new records at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, and winning seven gold medals at the Paris Paralympics.
The documentary titled “Against the Tide,” produced by the International Communication Center of Zhejiang, chronicles Jiang”s extraordinary growth as an athlete. The film highlights the challenges she faced and the triumphs she achieved over the years. In April 2025, Jiang was honored with the Laureus Award for Best Disabled Sportsman of the Year, making her the first Chinese athlete with a disability to receive this prestigious accolade.
From the winners” podium, Jiang encouraged others, stating, “Chase your dreams, for we are capable of achieving much more than we imagine. Life has no limits. The only rule is to break them bravely and never let yourself be defined!”
For more visual insights, a video related to her achievements is available through the provided media link.
