Paris Paralympics: China’s Li Zhangyu says cycling gold makes up for Tokyo ‘regret’
Li broke his own world record in C1 3,000m individual pursuit before compatriot Wang Xiaomei followed suit in the women’s event
Cyclist Li Zhangyu said winning gold in the men’s C1 3,000 metres individual pursuit made up for his “regret” at only claiming silver in Tokyo three years ago.
His was the first of four golds for China on day one of the Games as they laid down a marker, while he also set a world record in his qualifier.
The 36-year-old had taken a silver in this event at London 2012, a gold at Rio 2016 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020.
Li beat compatriot Liang Weicong to first place with a time of three minutes, 31.338 seconds, extending his previous record by more than four seconds.
“The gold medal made up for my regret in Tokyo,” Li said. “I thought about breaking the world record, but I did not expect I could surpass it that much.”
He was unaware his was China’s first gold of the Games, and said: “I am very excited to hear that. It’s a huge honour for me.”