Table tennis player Tian Shiau-wen (田曉雯) adds a bronze medal to her collection after her success in the individual Paralympic TT10 division. Tian has had to overcome challenges beyond the nerve atrophy in her right hand, including being bullied at school.
Tian was born in Xiaoliuqiu, a coral island 13 kilometers southwest of mainland Taiwan. Medical oversight caused the nerves in her hand to atrophy, or waste away, preventing her from fully extending or raising her right hand and forcing her to become left-handed. Encouraged by her mother, she began practicing table tennis while in primary school.
Tian’s mother Tsai Li-fen (蔡麗芬) commented on her daughter’s struggles at school, remarking that now that it’s in the past they can see it as part of her growth process and that she believes it may have contributed to her daughter’s resilience during times of stress.
This Tuesday, Tian competed against Polish player Natalia Partyka in their top 4 TT10 women’s singles match. Partyka’s victory was secured after she won three of their five matches. While Tian lost the match, she did walk away with a bronze medal.
This marks the second medal for the 24-year-old at this year’s Paralympics, her first, a silver medal, was won alongside para table tennis women’s doubles partner Lin Tzu-Yu (林姿妤).