Walter Wu

Walter Wu (born 14 August 1972) is an S13 classified Canadian swimmer who has competed and set records at the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Summer Paralympics.[1] He won 14 Paralympic medals before retiring in 2004 after the Athens Paralympic Games. His accolades included selection as torch bearer, member of the Terry Fox Hall of Fame, and BC Disabled Athlete of the Year. He has spent time as a public speaker to local schools since retirement from active sports competition.

Walter Wu
Personal information
Born (1972-08-14) 14 August 1972
OccupationParalympic swimmer
Height176 cm (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Weight86 kg (190 lb)[1]
Sport
CountryCanada
SportParalympic Swimmer
Medal record
Paralympic Games
Men's Swimming
Gold medal – first place1996 Atlanta100m Freestyle
Gold medal – first place1996 Atlanta400m Freestyle
Gold medal – first place1996 Atlanta1000m Freestyle
Gold medal – first place1996 Atlanta100m Butterfly
Gold medal – first place1996 Atlanta100m Backstroke
Gold medal – first place1996 Atlanta200m Individual Medley
Gold medal – first place2000 Sydney100m Backstroke
Gold medal – first place2000 Sydney100m Butterfly
Gold medal – first place2004 Athens400m Freestyle
Silver medal – second place2000 Sydney400m Freestyle
Silver medal – second place2000 Sydney200m Individual Medley
Silver medal – second place2004 Athens100m Backstroke
Silver medal – second place2004 Athens200m Individual Medley
Bronze medal – third place1996 Atlanta50m Freestyle
Bronze medal – third place2000 Sydney100m Freestyle
Updated on 15 August 2014.
Walter Wu
Traditional Chinese胡緯豐
Simplified Chinese胡纬丰[2]

Personal life

Walter Wu was born on 14 August 1972 in Richmond, British Columbia.[1] He is classified as S13 because of optic nerve dysfunction, meaning that he is considered to be legally blind.[3] At the age of eight, he moved to Richmond, British Columbia where he still resides today. After trying a variety of sports, Wu finally settled with swimming. He wanted to swim "because it was an individual sport; if you fail it's because of yourself; if you excel it's because of yourself" Wu said.[4] Since retiring from competition in 2004,[5]

Wu has given a speech at a local school part of the RCMP's Sports Event which brings athletes to schools to give inspiration.[6] Wu also has a part-time job at Home Depot which he has been sponsored.[4] He worked three years in the phone centre and has been doing shipping and receiving work since 2004. He won the BC Disabled Athlete of the Year, was featured in the Terry Fox Hall of Fame and was a torchbearer at the 2010 Winter Paralympics.[7] He added that "He is humbled and proud of that honour as well."[5][8]

Career

Walter Wu is a S13 classified swimmer. He competed in three Paralympic Games, retiring after the 2004 Athens Games. He said, "I miss competing, traveling and making international friends, but I don't miss the grueling training."[5]

1996 Paralympics

At the age of 24, Wu won six gold and one bronze medals, breaking two World Records and two Paralympic Records, and becoming Canada's most decorated athlete of the games.[9] He set the world records in the 200-metre individual medley (2:19.83) and 100-metre backstroke (1:05.55).[10] After he won, he said, "That was an incredible feeling. It's not quite the rush of riding on a roller coaster, but standing on the podium when they play the national anthem chokes you up. It makes you proud that the hard work has paid off."[11]

2000 Paralympics

A shoulder injury of his right shoulder caused Wu trouble in early 2000, three months before the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Wu's coach, Craig McCord, played a key role in Wu's return to form. Wu said, "In some ways I think he has more confidence in me that I have... He was always under the impression I was going to do well at the Olympic trials and time-wise it was one of my best events ever."[12] After being selected to compete at the 2000 Paralympic Games, Wu won five medals in Sydney, including golds in the 100m backstroke and the 100m butterfly, silvers in the 400m freestyle and the 200m individual medley, and a bronze in the 100m freestyle.[1]

2004 Paralympics

Still suffering from another shoulder injury that occurred in 2003, Wu was not expected to compete in the 400m freestyle, but he made the decision to participate, telling his coach, "if I have to go to hospital to win this race, I am willing to do it."[13] He ended up winning the gold medal, coming first. He did not need to go to the hospital but did require medical treatment for 25 minutes after he finished.[13] Other than his gold medal, he also won two more silver medals in 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley.[1]

References
  1. "Walter Wu | Canadian Paralympic Committee". Canadian Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  2. "伤残奥运加国大丰收 创两世界纪录". 51.ca (in Chinese). 21 September 2004. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  3. "More gold in Atlanta.(Canadian winners in the Paralympic Games: swimmer Walter Wu; wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc; blind swimmer Marie Claire Ross)(Brief Article)". Maclean's. 2 September 1996. Archived from the original on 20 August 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  4. Vicky Yeung (Spring 2004). "The "Blinkie" Is A Champ" (PDF). Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  5. Wickens, Barbara. "Torchlight still burns bright for Wu". Richmond News. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  6. "Paralympic medalist inspires young Muslims – Richmond News". Richmond News. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  7. "Torch bearers named for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics". tsn.ca. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  8. "BCBSRA Web Site". bcblindsports.bc.ca. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  9. "Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons – Previous Hall of Fame Inductees". cfpdp.com. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  10. "Review – Sports August 21, 1996". Richmond Library. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  11. "Review – News September, 1996". Richmond Library. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  12. "Review – Other Sports July 12, 2000". Richmond library. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  13. "Review – Other Sports September 23, 2004". Richmond News. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
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