Skip to main content
12221
Back to International Paralympic Committee homepage Go to
Contrast:
High Contrast
Normal Contrast
Enlargement:
Larger Font Size
Default Font Size
Smaller Font Size
    • Home
    • News
    • Athletes
    • Schedule/Results
    • Tickets
    • Countries
    • Samsung Bloggers
    • Fan Zone
    • Watch
    • Sports
    • About
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Instagram

    Li Liqing reflects on Rio 2016 gold medal

    02.11.2016

    China’s judoka won her maiden Paralympic title last September following a win over Germany’s defending champion Carmen Brussig.

    Judokas, Carmen Brussig and Li Liqing competing for the gold medal in Rio de Janeiro. Carmen Brussig GER (white) and Li Liqing CHN battle during the Women -48 kg Gold Medal bout at the Carioca Arena 3. Li Liqing CHN won the Gold Medal at these Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. © • Thomas Lovelock for OIS/IOC
    By Corey Dempsey
    Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker
    Related News
    Paralympic flag lands in Tokyo
    Five countries who won historic golds at Rio 2016
    IBSA Judo seeks hosts for 2017 events
    Lima 2019 unveils Parapan Ams logo

    Li Liqing’s first Paralympic experience at Rio 2016 could not have ended up better for her as she sealed the judo gold medal in the women’s up to 48kg after defeating Germany’s defending champion Carmen Brussig in the final.

    China’s 23-year-old had already proven to be a major threat for Brussig at the IBSA Judo World Championships in Colorado Springs, USA, two years ago, when she beat the German for the first time to take the title.

    “Winning gold in Rio made me feel fulfilled and happy because it meant that all my efforts during the last six years had paid off,” she said.

    “The final against Brussig was exhausting. I thought I could win and was confident, but the result was very close. I was surprised by that.”

    The first person Li thought of sharing this medal with was her coach Guifi Zhang, who she has been working with for seven years.

    “He is like a father to me and is very strict so that I can improve every movement,” she said.

    “Zhang has helped me reach my best form. We have practised all the movements hundreds or even thousands of times to improve as much as possible.

    “I want to thank him for his teachings, which have helped me fulfil my dream.”

    Li had to recover from a knee injury during her preparations for this year’s Paralympic Games, and even needed to adjust her original training plan with her coach to make sure she could arrive in Rio in her best possible shape.

    “Once back on the tatami, I noticed I was powerless so I needed to have a special plan,” she explained.

    Li’s interests go beyond judo and, for next year, she is planning to focus on her university studies.

    “I want to learn computer science without giving up on judo. I will try to balance both activities making a bigger effort in both fields,” she said.

    “Everyone has a dream. To fulfil it, you must struggle with some difficulties. But if you believe in yourself and you make the necessary corrections, you can surely achieve what you want.”

    • Tweet
      • print
      • send
    LATEST NEWS
    Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation 05.08.2019 Nadezhda Fedorova suspended for anti-doping violation
    Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude 05.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: USA top table as Junior Worlds conclude
    Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day 04.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Breathless third day
    Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way 03.08.2019 Nottwil 2019: Noah Malone makes his way
    Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month 02.08.2019 Vote for July’s Athlete of the Month
    More news...following the link
    Worldwide Paralympic Partners
    Go to Atos partner page
    Go to Bridgestone partner page
    Go to OttoBock partner page
    Go to Panasonic partner page
    Go to Samsung partner page
    Go to Toyota partner page
    Go to Visa partner page
    International Partners
    Go to Allianz partner page
    Go to BP partner page
    Go to Citi partner page
    • FAQ
    • Privacy
    • Imprint
    • Jobs
    Powered by Go to Atos. Worldwide IPC partner page
    The Paralympic Games
    Summer Games
    Winter Games
    Sochi 2014
    Rio 2016
    All the results & medallist since 1960
    Games video archive
    About the IPC
    Who we are
    Anti-Doping
    Medical
    Partners
    IPC Strategic Plan 2015-2018
    IPC Handbook
    Publications and Documents
    Media Centre
    News
    Features & Interviews
    The Paralympian
    Videos
    Athlete of the Month
    Media Office
    Sports
    Summer Sports
    Winter Sports
    Biographies
    NPCS
    Africa
    America
    Asia
    Europe
    Oceania
    Go to International Paralympic Committee homepage
    Official Website of the Paralympic Movement • IPC
    Homepage
    Paralympic Games
    The IPC
    Results, Ranking & Records
    Media Centre
    Videos
    Sports
    International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
    Adenauerallee 212-214, 53113 Bonn, Germany
    Telephone: +49-228-2097-200 • Fax: +49-228-2097-209 • E-mail: [email protected]
    22:21:57