Paris Paralympics 2024: Lei Lina, Yang Qian join forces to win table tennis gold for Australia

Two former Chinese champions who left their homeland to start a new life in Australia have repaid their adopted country by teaming up to win gold

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 31: Li Na Lei (C) and Qian Yang (L) of Team Australia celebrate winning the gold medals after their victory against Tzu Yu Lin and Shiau Wen Tian of team Chinese Taipei in the Women's Doubles - WD20 Gold medal match on day three of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at South Paris Arena on August 31, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Once again, China’s loss is Australia’s gain.

Two former Chinese champions who left their Communist homeland to start a new life in Australia have repaid their adopted country by teaming up to win gold in table tennis at the Paris Paralympics.

Virtually unknown in Australian sporting circles despite winning their singles competitions at Tokyo in 2021, Lei Lina and Yang Qian joined forces to beat Taiwanese top seeds Lin Tzu Yu and Tian Shiau Wen 11-7 11-6 3-11 12-10 in the W20 classification final.

“It’s so exciting to get to our first double gold medal,” said Lina.

Lei Lina and Yang Qian won gold in table tennis. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s a different meaning for us because last time in Tokyo, we only got the single medals but this time we made new history.”

Persuaded to change nationalities by another Chinese defector, Ma Lin, whose arm was bitten off by a bear at a zoo, Lina and Qian are now the brightest stars in an Australian table tennis team shining brighter than ever.

Before the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, Australia had only ever won two gold medals in table tennis — one each in 1964 and 1984 - but they’ve more than doubled that since the arrival of the dynamic duo Lina and Qian.

While both won gold in their respective singles categories at Tokyo, they suffered a surprise loss in the doubles final, so have been training relentlessly in the three years since desperately hoping to make amends.

“Even though I’ve won a lot of medals, every time feels like a different meaning for me,” Lina said.

Lina was already an international star before she packed up and moved to Melbourne after the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Lei Lina and Qian Yang are all smiles with their gold medals. Picture: Getty Images

Competing for China at the 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, she won eight medals, including five gold, before she turned her life upside down and changed nationalities along with a handful of other Chinese players.

Each has a wild and captivating backstory that has endeared them to their new teammates.

Lina’s legs are six centimetres different in length while Qian’s lower right arm was amputated after she was involved in an accident as a kid.

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Eight years younger than Lina, 28-year-old Qian won four Paralympic medals for China in 2012 and 2016, but there’s no question where their allegiances sit now.

Needing just a touch under half an hour to win the doubles gold medal, they wrapped themselves in the Aussie flag and embraced their other squad members before heading to the podium for the playing of Advance Australia Fair.

“I’m so proud to represent Australia,” Lina said.

“I enjoy the Australian lifestyle and our team, the Australian table tennis team, is a lovely family with each other.

“Everyone supports me and all the staff help me to do my best because Australia is a multicultural country and we accept every culture.”

Originally published as Paris Paralympics 2024: Lei Lina, Yang Qian join forces to win table tennis gold for Australia