When the training ended, He had to leave the resort, but his heart was left there. He couldn't help missing the girl and knew he was in love. He regained his courage to call the girl who stole his heart and tell his feeling. "She said no and explained that her parents wouldn't allow her to marry a disabled man. But I didn't give up."

He continued to phone Zhao, wrote love letters and shared his childhood stories and his future plan with her. "I will bring you a gold medal from Sydney Paralympics and please wait for me," He promised to Zhao before his first Paralympics.

Returning with three medals of different colors, He proposed to Zhao and she said yes.

However, the lovers met opposition from Zhao's parents. When He made his first visit to Zhao's family, her parents summoned more than 40 relatives to show their opposition to the marriage. "He mother explained to me then, saying though you are a good man, you have no hands and arms. If you have child in the future, you couldn't even hug him. Please leave my daughter," Hre called.

He was hurt but still didn't give up. When he had free time, he would take train to Zhao's family, helping her parents do chores as much as he could. Finally, his true heart changed Zhao's parents' minds. On a Valentine's Day in 2004, He and Zhao got married. Five months later, their son was born.

He said though he couldn't hug his lovely son, he could carry him on his back. Though he couldn't embrace his wife, he had his own ways to express love.

"No one is perfect, neither are able-bodied people," said He. "I have no regret in my life. The most important thing is that how you look at yourself. If you are confident and strong-minded, you will be the strong man in your life," said He.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2008)

·China's Defending He Loses Gold, But Wins Respect