The 24-year-old veteran² swimmer sealed victory with a huge advantage, clocking a time of 37.19 seconds. Huang broke the world record of 36.84 seconds two months ago in Esbjerg, Denmark.

"I'm very excited to get the first gold as I've been thinking of rewarding my coach, my family, those kind people and the society," said Huang with a shining smile on her face.

"To win a gold at the Beijing Paralympics is my dream and it's the best way to thank those who helped me." Huang Min lost her left arm in an electric accident when she was at primary school. The adamant³ girl began swimming under the encouragement of her middle school teacher. Her strenuous⁴ efforts and amazing talent finally paid when she claimed two silvers and one bronze in the Athens Paralympics in 2004.

"Swimming has really changed her a lot," said Huang's coach Zhang Honghu.

"She was once quite and introverted, but now she talks more and knows how to get along with her teammates and other people."

"At the beginning she was scared of water and couldn't help shivering⁵. But after jumping into the pool, she became really different."

Zhang said the high altitude of Yunnan plateau, with an average of some 2,000 meters, becomes an advantage for Huang Min's training