Xu Jingkun, 19-year-old crewmember of the three-person Sonar, lost his left forearm when he was a child, but he was a member of school football team from primary school to senior school.

"I have no left hand, but I feel no different than able-bodied people. I can be better than them sometimes," Xu said.

Besides learning from his coach to control the boat, Xu also studies dynamics and boat structure on his own.

"The Sonar keelboat is difficult to control. But we have been making progress in our sailing techniques," said skipper Li Ke.

Born without feet, Li is good at swimming. He won silver and bronze medals at national swimming championships for the disabled in 2001.

In 2005, he joined the Chinese team.

"I feel lucky to race against world-famous sailors. We will do our best to let them know we are on the upswing," Li said.

Qi Mingxue of the one-person 2.4-m class lost his left leg when he was 16 years old.

He won a gold medal in an open sailing competition for disabled people in the US last year.

"I cherish this opportunity provided by the Paralympic Games. I will fight to the end," Qi said.

(China Daily September 10, 2008)