Their life stories are worthy of a Hollywood script. Well, or more precisely, a Hong Kong cinema thriller with melancholic and dramatic undertones, culminating in an emotional, awe-inspiring finale. Be that as it may, once upon a time, there was little girl, called Zhang Bian, who was paralyzed by polio at the age of two. In pursuit of her dream, she began her table tennis journey in 2003.

Since then, her meteoric rise has left all who witnessed her skill impressed. The seven-time Paralympic champion has patiently built an admirable career, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in racket sports.

Three years ago, after the Tokyo Games, Zhang found herself in a tough internal debate, considering retirement. At just 34, with plenty of talent still flowing through her wrist, she was close to throwing in the towel. However, once again, the dramatic side of this story surfaced as she recalled her origins, her resilience, and her coach, Heng Xin, the one who had shaped her legend. It was then that she realized it was too soon to quit.

It's worth noting that the emergence of younger athletes began to pose a significant challenge, but far from being intimidated, with a track record that speaks for itself, Zhang embraced the challenge after a brief pause. A pause that served to refuel her competitive spirit, as she felt out of place away from the circuit. So, she decided to keep playing and shining brightly.

Zhang now boasts 21 years of experience in the sport, and has undoubtedly developed a calm and serene attitude. Despite numerous rule changes in adapted table tennis, she has continued to dominate and has grown even stronger. With the Paris lights about to illuminate the capital’s skies, the veteran athlete is determined to reach the summit once again.

"I've won three doubles titles, and for me, that means a lot; it's exceeded many people's dreams. For me, it's become a habit to do it once a year. Looking back, I felt very miserable and tired at that time, but now I think it was nothing," Zhang said in a recent interview with CGTN.

When asked about her return to the main stage and the criticism she faced for supposedly overshadowing the new generation, Zhang had one more ace up her sleeve. She responded as directly as she did precisely: "Many young players told me, 'You've won so many medals. Maybe you can give the young ones a chance and let us chase medals too.' I told them, 'Young players, you can compete, but I want to realize the value of my life,'" she added.

The scene shifts to a flashback drenched in pain. May 2008 was the month that transformed Wang Rui's life in unimaginable ways. The young woman from Deyang was at school when a devastating earthquake shook the building, causing it to collapse on her. Unconscious after being hit by a wall, she woke up hours later, trapped under the rubble, with her right leg severely injured. Ten hours later, she was rescued, only to face the harsh reality: her leg had to be amputated.

In an instant, her destiny changed forever, forcing her to face a new and challenging future. It was then that a simple paddle and a 40-millimeter ball brought new hope and purpose to her life. Her positive transformation led her to the Chinese national team, where she became a Paralympic champion and regained a sense of fulfillment after a traumatic episode.

Just days before uncorking the champagne in the sophisticated city of Paris, the 31-year-old veteran Wang heads into her third edition of the Games, determined to achieve success in the individual event and erase the regrets of past competitions.

"I regret some things I did in the individual table tennis events at the last two Paralympic Games because I didn't get the results I wanted. That's why I still have the energy to fight hard and want to make greater progress in the individual events," Wang said energetically in statements to CGTN alongside her teammate Zhang.

"Although the preparation cycle for the Paralympic Games is very long, I constantly make adjustments and always think about what rhythm to use to intercept shots. During training, I've been strengthening my basic skills, technique, and tactics, and after playing for so many years, I have an even greater desire to reach the podium," Wang added, with her mind set on a success that she feels is increasingly within reach.