Carrying the Flame of Inspiration

Excited, proud, and even a little emotional, I experienced a rush of different feelings when I passed the flame of the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou,     1     capital city of Zhejiang province, on Saturday as one of the 600 torchbearers (火炬手).

Although from different backgrounds, we 600 torchbearers all have something in common: Our deep respect for the para sports movement and the spirit in     2     these sports are contested. The flame that I carried was passed on by the first torchbearer of the relay, powerlifting Paralympic and world champion Tan Yujiao. The Rio and Tokyo Paralympic gold medalist is     3     (particular) proud to attend the Asian Para Games at home, both as a torchbearer and an athlete.

“My heart is just like the flame right now. I used to be a kid with     4     (disability) who could not even attend our school’s PE classes, and now I’m a para athlete who is aiming at     5     (break) my own world record. Life presents me with the     6     (tough) tests, and I have lived my life in the most beautiful way,” said Tan.

When I was informed that I     7     (choose) for the honor, I asked myself one simple question: What will I actually pass through the flame? I think my fellow torchbearer Tan summed it     8     better than I could: “What I hope to pass on is the spirit of the para athletes that enables them     9     (fight) against all odds to win and chase excellence. I also want to pass on their positive energy, their     10     (confident) and strength.”