One of the most successful Chinese athletes at the 2016 Paralympics died in a car crash in his native country today, March 16th.
Xinhua News is reporting that 22-year-old Huang Wenpan, a multi-Paralympic gold medal winner in Rio, was driving alone in Hongya County when his car crashed into a lamppost. Huang was reportedly rushed to the hospital, but was unable to be revived.
Huang won 5 gold medals across the men’s S3 and SB2 events in Rio, registering new world records in the 50m breast, 200m free, 50m, free and 150m. He also was a member of China’s world record-breaking mixed 4×50 freestyle relay. Most recently in December 2017, Huang collected gold medals in those same events, plus a bronze in the 50 back while competing in Mexico City at the Para Swimming World Championships.
Huang had cerebral palsy and had only been swimming competitive since 2010.
