Bozun Yang

Started: He began Para swimming in 2005 in Tianjin, People's Republic of China. (tjtyj.gov.cn, 06 Sep 2016) Reason: At first he wanted to be a performer with an impaired artists troupe. However, he was noticed by a swimming coach while he was registering with the Tianjin Disability Federation in the People's Republic of China and was encouraged to try swimming. (tjtyj.gov.cn, 06 Sep 2016) Awards: He was chosen to carry the torch through the host city in the lead-up to the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. In 2017 he was chosen to carry the torch through Tianjin, People's Republic of China, ahead of the National Para Games. (sohu.com, 06 Sep 2008) He has received the May 4th Youth Medal and the May 1st Labour Medal in the People's Republic of China. He has also twice been named a national Outstanding Athlete and Advanced Individual in the Great Hall of the People. (china.com.cn, 23 May 2012) Additional Info: RETIREMENT AND RETURN He retired from Para swimming to become a teacher following the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. He decided to quit his job and resume his sporting career ahead of the 2015 National Para Games in Sichuan, People's Republic of China. He had previously retired from the sport after the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, before returning to the national team in 2010. (163.com, 15 Sep 2015; jmnews.com.cn, 17 Dec 2010) MUSICIAN He wrote a song called 'Voice of the Dragon' for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. (bendibao.com, 03 Sep 2012; qq.com, 16 Dec 2010) CHARITY WORK In 2006 he established a charity called the Bozun Education Foundation. He sold his first Paralympic gold medal to help five students with an impairment attend school and auctioned other gold medals to raise money for victims of the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. (sohu.com, 06 Sep 2008)