Ping-pong athlete wins 3 golds in Special Olympics

Guo Guangrong, 39, from Hezhang county, Guizhou province, wins three gold medals in table tennis at the 11th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 8th National Special Olympics. [Photo by Wang Xing/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Guo Guangrong, a 39-year-old athlete from Hezhang county in Guizhou province, won three gold medals in table tennis last week at the 11th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 8th National Special Olympics in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.

He won in mixed doubles, men's doubles and men's singles from Tuesday to Thursday.

Guo has rheumatoid arthritis and was nearly paralyzed at age 15. He was able to walk normally after treatment but the disease left him physically diminished. Table tennis gives him a chance to prove himself and regain confidence and a positive outlook on life.