Swimmer Du Gifts China First Gold at Beijing Paralympics

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Du Jianping (L) celebrates after winning the first gold medal for the Chinese Paralympic delegation in the Men's 100 meter Freestyle S3 at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in Beijing on Sunday September 7, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

China's Du Jianping won the men's 100m freestyle at S3 class with a new world record on Sunday to clinch the first gold for the hosts at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

The 25-year-old Du, who grabbed two golds at Athens Paralympics, shaved 6.87 seconds of the former world mark and touched the wall first in 1 minute and 35.21 seconds.

Dmytro Vynohradets of Ukraine took the silver with 0.44 seconds adrift. Du's compatriot Li Hanhua settled for the bronze in 1:44.22.

Four years ago, China finished top of the swimming medals table at the Athens Paralympics with 19 golds.
 The swimming program, featuring 140 disciplines, held at the National Aquatics Centre, runs from September 7 to 15.