PARIS: Ma Lin's dreams of becoming a renowned pianist ended in agony when he had to have his right arm amputated as a result of a brown bear biting him – but showing gritty resolve he has become a force to be reckoned with in Paralympic table tennis.
The 34-year-old accrued four Paralympic gold medals, three team and one individual, and one individual silver for China dating back to Beijing in 2008 before moving to Australia in 2017.
Having switched allegiance he won two silvers at the Tokyo Games three years ago and on Saturday made it a full house of medals as he had to be content with bronze after losing a gripping five-set match to France's Lucas Didier at a packed arena in Porte de Versailles.
Ma looked upset at the loss and he had good reason to be as he had twice been ahead only to be pegged back by the obdurate Didier.
"It's tough," Australia head coach Alois Rosario, speaking on behalf of Ma as he does not speak English, told AFP.
"It was a tough match. He went in favourite, so it's tough in the biggest environment.
"But Lucas played unbelievably today."
Ma was five when he went along with a friend to a zoo near his home in China.
"I thought (the bear) was my friend because I used to go to the zoo every week to feed him," Ma told Australia's News Corp in 2021.
"So, I just decided to reach out and pat him, but I guess he was not in a good mood that day."
He put his right hand through the bars of the cage only for the bear to bite right through his arm above the elbow.
"I think I was in a bit of shock. But I didn't cry. Not once."
A surgeon saved his life although he had to amputate the arm, but for the youngster there was only one question on his mind when he woke after the operation.
"I just wanted to know if I would still be able to get a girlfriend when I was older," said Ma, whose hobby is diving.
His parents said: "Of course, so I was happy."
Thus did his life-changing journey begin, inspired by China's cleansweep of the 1996 Olympic medals, though having been right-handed the first thing he had to adapt to was becoming proficient with his left.
It has proved to be an excellent decision, his strokeplay a joy to watch and marvel at the effectiveness of his serve against Didier, who has the use of both his hands.
The medals attest to Ma's skillset, and bronze in Paris will not be the end of his journey – far from it.
"He's talking about Brisbane 2032, so there's still a long road ahead of him," said Rosario.
"He's getting better. He's improved a lot of areas of his game."
Rosario says Ma does marvel at how his life has panned out and is looking forward to adding to his legendary status – and his medal collection.
"I mean, he's still on a journey and he's got a long way to go still, I hope," he said.
"But yeah, he's achieved a lot in his life already on the table.
"He's used to the ups and he's used to the downs, so lots ahead."