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It's nearly impossible to believe that this vivacious young woman with the irresistible smile, bounding around the powerlifting venue, was once under the sheltered wing of her constantly watchful parents.
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Special Olympics China powerlifter Qing Ying Ying, a Shanghai resident, in her first Special Olympics World Games competition.
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In fact, a year ago, Qing Ying Ying's parents said, “no,” when she asked them if she could join Special Olympics China. Her school offered powerlifting as a sport; she tried it and loved it. Special Olympics powerlifting coach Gao Ling Ling spotted her right away and asked her to sign up with the organization. “It took weeks and weeks of constant coaxing to convince her parents to relent and let her join,” she said.
Yuan Ping and Qing Yun Liang, the young competitor's mother and father, said they didn't think she could take the pressure of competition. She'd have to face a sea of spectators, and they didn't think she was capable of handling the nervousness and stress.
Little did they know that Special Olympics training would help their only child blossom as a dynamo in both sports and personality. They soon discovered she also got healthier the more she trained. At first she was in the 56 kg. weight class. Training helped the 21 year old slim down to her World Games competition weight of 48 kg.
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Qing Ying Ying and her parents Yuan Ping and Qing Yun Liang hold up the banners that they brought to encourage her during competition. |
Her parents were in the audience watching her compete in the bench press and deadlift events at the 2007 World Summer Games. They are now ardent supporters of Special Olympics because it helped them realize that Qing Ying Ying was capable and could be more independent and self-composed than they ever dreamed.
It was easy to spot them in the crowd. They brought two huge banners that read, “Your home town is rooting for you,” and the other, an expression of their hopes and pride, “Go for the gold Qing Ying Ying!”
She didn't disappoint them either. Several hours later, they watched as their daughter's most cherished sports dream was rewarded with her very first gold medal. They cheered the loudest and longest too.
By Kathy Smallwood
Check out other 2007 World Games news. |
