Zero to Hero (2021) Movie Script
1
[gentle music]
[indistinct chatter]
[male announcer] This is it.
2008 Paralympic Men's
200 m T36 final is underway
at the Beijing National Stadium
in front of more than 90,000 spectators,
and I'm not seeing any empty seats.
Which is rare, as the Paralympic Games
have never witnessed
a full house of spectators in any events.
Rumor has it
that Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau
is known to be a keen supporter
of one of today's runner, So Wa Wai
which may be the reason
why this event has attracted
a mass of spectators.
Andy Lau's fans
[Coach Fong] It's time now, Wonder Boy.
You got this.
[male announcer]
This is the fourth consecutive time
So Wa Wai has competed
in the Paralympic Games since 1996,
winning numerous gold medals.
However, at age 27,
he's considered to be an aging athlete
to compete at the international arena.
This may be his last run to glory,
his last medal.
Will we witness wonder
from him again today?
[female announcer] Men's T36 200 m finals
is about to begin.
Athletes, please approach
the starting line.
[high-pitched static]
[Mrs. So] On your ma.
Set.
Go.
[Wa Wai crying]
[crying continues]
[dramatic music]
[Wa Wai crying]
[Wa Wai's grandpa] Hey! Hey!
You have to go up to the second floor!
You have an appointment, go!
[dramatic music]
[doctor 1] Your grandson has
hemolytic jaundice.
Because his mother's blood type
is different from his,
her antibodies are causing
his bilirubin level to rise,
resulting in jaundice.
What does that mean?
It has affected his brain.
The part that controls his muscles
is permanently damaged.
In layman's terms,
he has cerebral palsy.
Even if he survives,
he may never be able to walk
or eat on his own.
All we can do for him now
is exchange transfusion.
The question is whether or not
you want to do it?
Yes!
Whatever it takes!
[crying]
[hissing]
[Wa Wai crying]
[doctor 2] Due to his cerebral palsy,
his muscle tone are not as good
as someone without his condition.
His limbs, for example,
his fingers are showing signs of atrophy.
In terms of his lower limbs,
since his muscles are very underdeveloped,
based on my experience,
if he isn't able to walk at this age yet,
his chances of walking are very slim.
And I'm afraid we've discovered
another complication,
His hearing is in 10 to 20 percent,
hence his difficulties with communication.
He needs to start wearing a hearing aid.
[Wa Wai wailing]
[wailing continues]
[loud buzzing]
[children chattering]
Can I have a coke, please?
[Mr. Shui] Sure.
Huh? Uh
It's all right, I'll give it to him.
Why are you giving it to him?
But what about them?
[Mrs. So] Here, take this.
[children babbling]
[babbling continues]
[children chattering]
[somber music]
[worker] Why did she get us stop?
I can't believe--
[business owner] What's the hold up?
Why aren't you working?
Oh, apparently, Mrs. So's son
lost his hearing aid.
She's looking for it.
Are you and your son
both mentally challenged?
I already agreed for you
to bring him to work.
But now I've got to stop operations?
I have a deadline to meet.
Hurry up and find it!
Get back to work!
-Stop messing around!
-[thuds]
[indistinct chatter]
[machine rumbling]
Wai?
Wai?
Wai?
Wa Wai!
Wai!
[Mrs. So] Wai!
Wai!
[Wa Wai chuckles]
Wai
What are you doing there?
Who put you in there?
You may not walk,
but you can still scream, you know!
[giggles]
What's that smile?
What's so funny?
What's so funny, huh?
[gasps]
You have to walk right now,
or we can just die here!
[clanks]
[machine whirring]
Walk.
[machine whirring]
[inaudible]
[hissing]
Get up and walk!
Get up and walk!
Look at me, get up and walk, Wa Wai!
Get up and walk, please!
I'm always watching.
I'm always watching.
[machine rumbling]
[machine whirs to stop]
[somber music]
[breathes hard]
[crying]
[wailing]
[sobbing]
[uplifting music]
[uplifting music continues]
[soft gasp]
Come here.
No one will ever treat you
like an ordinary person.
So just be
extraordinary.
[uplifting music]
[Mrs. So] All right, good job, Wa Wai.
One more step, that's it.
One more time, what's your name, big boy?
Shu Ah Ai.
Mmm, that's "Wai".
So.
Wa.
Wai.
So Wa Wai.
Show Grandpa how you walk.
That's a good boy.
Papa, Wa Wai is doing well.
Honey, I went to see the doctor.
He said Wa Wai's condition
isn't hereditary.
He said if we had another child,
he should be fine.
Yeah, but that would cost a lot.
So what?
When we get older,
someone has to take care of Wa Wai.
[Mrs. So] Quit playing around and hurry.
Come on.
[Kin Wai] Brother!
Brother!
[Wa Wai] Hello!
-[Wa Wai] Where did you go, little guy?
-[sighs]
[Mrs. So] Hurry up you two.
I still have a lot of laundry to do,
and I have to bring them to the factory.
-Oh, and by the way, your homework--
-[Wa Wai] Ma
I really need to go to the toilet.
[clicks tongue]
Jeez, not again. Hurry up.
[Wa Wai] Okay.
[Mrs. So] Kin Wai.
You must really love egg so much
because you've got another zero.
[Mrs. So] Okay, tell me. What's this word?
[Kin Wai] I don't know.
[Mrs. So] And this one?
I don't know.
It says, "Sports Association
for the Physically Disabled."
[Kin Wai] "Sports Association."
"Track and field."
[Kin Wai] "Track and field?"
[Wa Wai] It's me, the God of Fortune!
Mrs. Chan, the God of Fortune is here!
You're gonna be rich!
-God of Fortune is here!
-[Mrs. Chan] Huh?
Wow, you can write already? How smart!
Nice handwriting!
Okay, here's ten bucks for you, Wa Wai.
Thank you, Mrs. Chan.
-You're a good boy. Bye now.
-Thank you so much.
One, two
Hey, hey, Wa Wai, I'm supposed to tell you
to come home for dinner.
What are you doing over there?
My Fortune Charms!
We're gonna eat like Kings tonight,
little brother!
Oh, wow!
[Wa Wai chuckles]
Hey, you, who said you could
sell those here?
If you do, you gotta pay me first,
you understand?
What are you doing?
Don't you move or I'll hit you.
Mama, there's some bullies out here!
What?
Wai!
[bully 1] Hey! Stop running, you jerk!
[quirky music]
-You'd better not let me catch you!
-[Mrs. So] Wai!
[bully 1] Can't you run any faster?
-[bully 2] Let's go, let's go!
-[bully 1] Come on, hurry up! Go get him!
He's upstairs!
Hurry, hurry!
Faster, get a move on! Chase him!
To the left!
[uplifting music]
Wai, go faster! Run faster!
-[bully 1] Will you stop following me?
-[bully 2] Where did he go?
-[bully 1] Go around him!
-[bully 2] Over there!
Where are you going?
[bully 1] Hurry, he's up ahead!
[Mrs. So] Hurry up, Wai!
Don't let them catch you!
Wai, keep running faster! Run faster!
-[Mrs. So] Run faster, Wai!
-[bully 2] Hey! Stop, Wai!
[bully 1] Stop it, you jerk!
-[Wa Wai pants]
-Back off!
Go! Go, go!
-[bully 1] Let's get out of here.
-[bully 2] Come on, let's go, come on.
Wa Wai, are you all right?
Huh? Do you feel sick?
We can eat more.
[panting]
I'd like to register my son.
Here, Wai.
How old are you, young man?
I'm 13.
I'm afraid he's too young.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE
14 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE
[chuckles]
He has the right Korean age, 14.
[chuckling]
Korean?
[chuckles]
Fine.
Let me put it this way.
He's 13 years old.
If I let him in,
he'll be racing against older kids.
That wouldn't be fair to him.
Look at him, he's so lanky.
He's probably a lot taller
than most grown-ups.
He's even taller than you right now.
[chuckles]
Come on, just give him a chance.
[Hong] Ma'am, bring him back next year.
-[man 1] All right, come on. There you go.
-[man 2] Keep the record.
[overlapping chatter]
[man 3] Goodness!
Let's go!
[overlapping chatter]
Wai!
Where are you going?
[uplifting music]
You're almost to get to the finish line.
Just look over there. Keep running, go!
[indistinct chatter]
Wai,
they're older
but they are not as tall as you.
[race organizer] All right! On your marks.
Set.
[whistle blows]
Let's go, Wai.
[upbeat music]
Wa Wai! You already finished the race!
[Mrs. So] Wai! Wa Wai!
The race is done!
-Come on back, Wai!
-[man] Excuse me.
-Wa Wai! Come on, son.
-Hey, ma'am.
-Come back! Huh?
-Hey, ma'am.
He's your son?
Uh, yeah.
I'd like to invite him
to train track and field with me.
I'm Coach Fong,
I trained the Para-Athletics Team.
Huh?
Bring him on Monday at seven o'clock.
[bright upbeat music]
Wai.
You'll start training soon.
Listen to Coach Fong.
And if you have questions, you ask.
Don't you give up easily.
You hear me?
Can you do it?
Okay.
But it's just running.
How difficult could that be?
[quirky music]
[panting]
Seven more to go!
Don't stop running!
If you can't do it, just go!
You're just slowing down everybody else!
[upbeat music]
[panting]
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
Coach Fong, are you really sure about
keeping this guy around?
-[Mrs. So] You okay?
-[Gai] Let's get someone else.
Are you tired? Here drink some water.
[Coach Fong] You know what?
If you wanna rest, go home.
[Coach Fong] Keep going.
I got this, go.
Mrs. So,
if you want me to be his coach,
you have to trust me.
Look, you can't be here.
Also, stay off the track.
You're not an athlete.
Here you go. Have some water.
Drink slowly.
A word of advice?
Don't take Coach Fong too seriously, okay?
If he tells you to run ten laps,
just say, "Yes, Coach!"
Then run for two.
And walk the rest of the way.
All right.
Are you part of the team too?
Coach Fong is my brother.
[hurried footsteps]
By the way, that guy over there,
why is he running
with a bag over his head?
He's just crazy.
You know what he told me,
it's similar to high-altitude running.
[Gill] He's training
as cardiovascular function.
From what I heard,
he used to race trains at a distance
of 100 m as part of his training.
And you know what,
he actually beat the train.
And that's why we call him Train Tung.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Will you just stop it?
It's not gonna work.
-[grumbling]
-No.
What's all that about?
Pitch me, man.
Only Gai can understand him.
So we need him to translate
what he's saying for us.
All right, fine! Do what you want.
Just don't blame me
if you end up getting killed.
[babbles]
Whatever, suit yourself.
What does he want now?
He said that there's a faster way
of passing the baton, but whatever.
-Hurry up. Come on.
-All right, all right.
[babbling]
Okay, I'll see you right here.
Hurry up.
[Keung screams]
Aah!
[groans]
Hey, Tung, train by yourself.
Okay.
[Coach Fong] Gai and Keung. Run five laps.
Do one more round after
a three-minute break.
Sprint for the last 200 and then repeat.
Then afterwards baton passing with me.
-[Keung] Mm.
-[Gai] Got it.
Wa Wai, ten more laps for you.
[Coach Fong] That's 20 in total. Nonstop.
You know what does mean, right?
Yeah.
Go on.
[clicks tongue]
Hey!
[Coach Fong] I said run, not walk.
Okay, I'm all done!
The lights are out, but you're not.
You're not going anywhere.
Not until you finish the last eight.
Go on.
[Coach Fong] Do you know why I chose you?
You had very steady frequent strides
when you race that day.
I've never seen such
an incredible first-timer.
But I haven't seen it since.
You haven't shown me
that you can do it again.
[Gai] Wa Wai, the reason why coach
is tough on you
is because he's pushing you
to be good enough to take his place.
He took Tung, Keung, and myself
to run the 400 m relay
at the last Paralympics.
Even with our times from practice,
we could have won a medal.
But then Keung and I thought
we already crossed
the changeover zone
during the baton passing.
and then we lost time.
In the end, we came into fourth
and didn't get a medal.
It really affected Coach Fong
because that was his last Paralympics.
Why did Coach Fong stop running?
He hurt his back really bad, plus his age.
All three of us are over 30 years old.
This could very well be
the last year we can run too.
So we're counting on you.
Are you saying
that we might get a gold medal
if I run fast?
Who knows?
At the rate you're going, maybe a silver.
No way, I have to get a gold medal!
Yeah, I have to get a gold medal!
[laughs]
His record is still over by 15 seconds.
Oh, that's not too bad.
I think we can work with these numbers.
What I'm most worried about
is his balance.
I mean look at him.
He can't be the first or the third runner
because of the curve.
So that just leaves the second.
And his baton passing isn't that good yet.
[Train Tung] Hurry!
Oh, no, we'll be in big trouble.
But why?
I've always been the anchor leg!
That's my final decision.
[breathes heavily]
Is he really that special?
We're a team, Tung.
It doesn't matter
who crosses the finish line.
Oh, it doesn't!
[grunting]
I quit!
-Hey, Tung.
-Let go!
Are you done overreacting?
If he runs third,
then we're through for sure.
But if he's last
then will still got a chance.
You really want him to run fourth?
He'd better do it under 15!
[Train Tung grunts]
[Gai] You heard him.
[quirky music]
[beeps]
Go on.
[Coach Fong] Slowly.
Find your balance.
Squat down lower.
[pants, grunts]
[Mrs. So] Don't rush it,
find your balance.
-[Wa Wai] Oh!
-[Mrs. So] My goodness!
[both groan]
-Aah!
-[Gai] Wai!
You think you can do it?
[plastic rustles]
[sobbing]
Wai? Why are you covering your head
with this bag?
Huh?
[sobs]
Wai?
Why are you crying, huh?
What's wrong?
Huh?
Come on and tell Mama, huh?
I want to I
I want to run faster.
[sobbing]
I'm really trying my best.
[sobbing heavily]
It's better to run than to keep crying.
[breathing heavily]
[whimsical music]
[train rumbling]
Let's make it under 15 seconds together!
Faster! Faster!
Shine, you are to shine
You are now lighting of the sky
Hey, it's you and I
A nice and juicy hamburger.
Wa Wai, from now on
you have to eat more beef.
You need to build more muscles,
so one day you'll be strong enough
to carry even two Gills.
Kin Wai, this one's for you.
[Mrs. So] What? Yours has cheese on it.
Wa Wai doesn't have any.
Hey, look on the step. Wait for me.
Be the one
Get set and go for the run
No matter how far it seems
Go for your dreams
-Run and just reach
-Look, Ma!
-Go!
-Someday you will be up high
-Reach out your arm
-[Mrs. So panting]
Touch the sky
Come spread your wings and fly
[Kin Wai] Eggs for you, Papa.
Eggs for you, Mama.
And eggs for you, big brother.
[laughter]
That's why you should give it a try
No matter how hard
Take a stand and go forward
Just fly
[whistle blows]
Hand!
[beeps]
[frustrated sigh]
[Coach Fong] Hey!
Young man.
Excuse me, for a second.
[Mrs. So] This is my usual spot.
[objects clatter]
What's up?
Train Tung didn't show up
again today, huh?
It's his decision
if he wants to run with us or not.
But there's only three of us,
are you gonna run again?
You think you can give him a call?
Are you crazy?
He doesn't have any problem with Keung.
You call him.
Come on, Gai, why me?
[muttering indistinctly]
You know how he is!
Never mind, let him be.
[soft chuckle]
Uh
I'm not allowed inside.
But you are, you just refused to.
Well, there are a lot of mosquitoes here.
They're so annoying.
Hey, did you know that you have a fan?
[Mrs. So] That silly boy Wa Wai
wears a plastic bag
over his head like you.
I'm using this the wrong way.
I used them for carrying stuff.
Want some?
It's good.
Let's share, okay?
[sighs]
One day, that boy came crying and crying.
And then he said,
"I wish I could run as fast as him."
[sighs]
It must be cool
to be admired.
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music rises]
[Train Tung] Run!
Run!
I told you to run, you idiot!
Run! Run!
Get your butt out there and run!
Run!
Grab it!
Run! Hurry up!
Faster! Faster!
Run faster and go!
Go faster! Faster!
Run! Keep running!
[panting]
[beeps]
14.57!
[Gai] You did it! Yeah!
[relieved sigh]
[chuckles]
[Mr. So] Do your best, my boy.
I told all our relatives to watch
the live broadcast and cheer you on.
But there's no live broadcast
of the Paralympics in Hong Kong.
Oh, really?
It's not right when Lee Lai Shan
won an Olympic gold,
I saw it on television.
How can the Paralympics compare?
We only get less than a hundred thousand
and that's it for bringing home a medal.
You know how much Lee Lai Shan got
for her gold?
She got a million from the government.
But why the difference?
Equal pay for equal work does not exist.
[plane zooming]
I'll check us in. Don't go anywhere.
I'll be right back.
-Let's go.
-This way, please.
[indistinct chatter]
[phone rings]
Wa Wai?
[Wa Wai] Mama, can you hear me? Mama?
Yes, I can hear you. I can hear you.
[Wa Wai] I can only talk for five minutes.
Huh? Oh, all right.
Then I'll talk really fast.
You flew for 12 hours, are you tired?
[Mrs. So] Did you get some sleep?
Eat lots of beef,
US beef is really good for you.
Yeah, there's a lot of beef here.
[Wa Wai] They have steaks and burgers.
Everything is free.
Well, that's great. Stuff yourself then.
You will need the energy for running.
But I don't wanna run anymore.
You're not here.
[Wa Wai] And I'm all alone.
You're not alone, you hear me?
Mama is always watching you.
How is that?
[Wa Wai] Are you gonna fly over here?
Hey, when you start running,
imagine Mama watching you
at the finish line.
[Mrs. So] It's kinda like what they say
at the beginning,
"Look at Ma, set go!"
[Wa Wai] Huh?
"Look at your ma, set go!"
Oh.
[chuckles]
It's not "look at your ma."
It's "on your mark."
[chuckling]
By the way, where's Papa
and little brother?
[Mr. So and Kin Wai snoring]
Well, they're both sleeping soundly
like little pigs.
[sniffles]
Let me listen.
Just a second.
Hang on.
[both snoring]
[sniffling]
[sentimental music]
[female announcer]
Men's 4x100 m T36 to 38 relay
is about to begin.
Athletes, please approach
the starting line.
Final call for the men's
T36 to 38 4x100 m relay.
Athletes
[Hong] How is it?
[Gill] It's not working,
there's no signal!
How about now?
[Gill] No, nothing!
Move it a bit more. There's no signal!
[Hong] How about now?
No signal!
[TV static]
[Gill] It's working! Don't move!
Oh, look, there he is.
[female announcer]
Men's 4x100 m T36 to 38 relay
is about to begin.
Athletes, please
[Kin Wan] I need to pee, Mama.
Just hold it in. The race is gonna start.
[female announcer] Final call
for the men's T36 to 38 4x100 m relay.
Athletes, line up
behind the starting line.
All personnel should clear the tracks.
[tense music]
[exhales]
[sucks teeth]
Keung! Keung!
Keung! Don't be scared!
You've got this, so don't be afraid.
-Don't give in to fear!
-Sir, you've got to get off immediately.
-Listen to me, I know you can do this!
-Come on! Come on!
-Come with us, sir.
-[Coach Fong] This is our last race.
Win this medal for us, Keung.
Do you hear me?
-You can do this!
-[personnel] Come on.
I know you can!
Yes!
[shouting]
I can do it!
Yes!
Yes!
[blows air]
[female announcer]
Men's T36 to 38 4x100 m relay.
[announcer 4] On your mark,
set
[gunshot]
[crowd cheering]
[Keung yelps]
Gai!
Gai!
[crowd cheering]
[panting]
Faster. Must go fast.
Start running!
Hand!
Go faster!
Head for the finish line!
Head for the finish line!
[male announcer] Hong Kong is catching up
and closing the gap
between Japan and the United States
with Great Britain right on their tails.
[crowd cheering]
We're into the last 20 m.
Everyone is chasing hard.
This is very tight.
It's just at the line!
[camera shutter clicking]
Japan, United States, and Hong Kong.
I believe we'll have to wait
for the replay
to know who's taking home the gold medal.
This shouldn't take long.
All runners are looking at the big screen.
[suspenseful music]
It's Hong Kong! The time, 50.46.
Men's T36 to 38 4x100 relay champion
goes to the Hong Kong team,
silver for the United States,
and Japan gets the bronze.
Congratulations to Hong Kong
for winning their first Paralympic gold
for this event!
[groans]
[sobbing]
[panting]
-[Train Tung] Get up! Get up!
-[Gai] Get up!
[Keung mumbles]
[Gai] We just won first place!
-We won. First place.
-Yeah.
Get up!
[Gai] Look!
-[all screaming]
-[Gai] First place!
[Gai laughs]
First place!
[all] Yeah!
-Yeah!
-Yeah!
Yeah!
-Sir! Sir!
-You can't be here.
Sorry.
Yeah! Yes! Yes!
My team!
My team!
Yes!
[all cheering]
-[Train Tung] First place!
-[Gai] First place!
[sobbing]
[exhales]
[laughing softly]
[gentle music]
[woman 1] Oh, they're here.
I'm so excited.
-[woman 2] Yay!
-[man 1] It's So Wa Wai!
-[woman screams]
-[man 2] The bus is coming!
He he's looking over here.
Wai!
[man 3] Hey, guys!
[Wa Wai] Mama!
Mama!
-I miss you so much!
-Wai!
[Wa Wai] Mama, I miss you!
[woman 3] Well done, guys.
[Mrs. So] Wow, this is so heavy!
-How are you? Are you tired?
-[reporter 1] Excuse me, So Wa Wai.
How does it feel representing Hong Kong
and getting your first gold medal?
[reporter 2] And you, Mrs. So?
Your son represented the country
at such a young age
and garnered incredible results,
how does that make you feel?
It's it's wonderful.
[reporter 2] So, "Mrs. Wonder Mom,"
just what exactly is your secret
in raising your "Wonder Boy"?
Eat lots of beef.
[laughter]
[reporter 3] As the mother
of a Paralympic athlete,
what do you think the government
needs to improve on?
[camera shutters clicking]
Equal pay for equal work.
[reporter 3] What?
Well, it's true.
They're just the same
as Olympic medalists.
Why do Paralympians get
so much less than Olympic athletes?
They should be getting paid equally.
For the work that they do,
there's no difference.
-[applause]
-[man 3] That's great.
Well said!
[crowd applauding]
[gentle music]
[Wa Wai] Ma.
This is for you.
When I was little,
Grandpa always told me
that when you married Papa,
you didn't have any gold jewelry.
I promise
I'm going to win lots and lots and lots
of gold medals just for you.
[gentle music continues]
[sniffles]
[sobs]
[light music]
[male announcer]
Runners are on their marks.
SO WA WAI'S MOM SUPPORTS HER SON
The gun has went off!
Japan and Ukraine had a good start,
Hong Kong started late
and has got some work to do.
Japan is in a good place,
and he's already passing the British
and the Chinese, Hong Kong in last.
Things are not looking good for Hong Kong.
Can he catch up after the turn?
Japan is still in the lead
with China right on their shoulders
along with Ukraine.
Japan, China, Ukraine, Great Britain.
We're in the sprint now,
Hong Kong is trying
to get it up to second last place,
and now he's closing the gap from behind,
but there's still quite a stretch.
This is the last 100 m.
And everyone is giving it their all.
Hong Kong is chasing hard,
and he's still going strong.
This is So Wa Wai,
he's storming through the crowd!
Japan is in danger now!
He's going extremely well,
and he's taken the lead!
I cannot believe it!
This is sensational! He is flying!
Ukraine is catching up,
with Japan still in second,
but So Wa Wai is out in the clear!
He's a force to be reckoned with.
What an extraordinary run for So Wa Wai!
He's gonna take home the gold medal!
History is made for Hong Kong once again!
The time is 24.36, a new world record!
-Yes!
-This is the third Paralympic gold medal
for So Wa Wai of Hong Kong
-after the men's 100 m and 400 m final.
-[both cheering]
This is also the third consecutive time
that he has broken his own world record.
-Congratulations!
-[all cheer]
Aah!
[crowd cheering]
-That's my son right there! That's my son!
-Congratulations!
[victorious music]
Aah!
Wai!
[uplifting music]
[laughing]
-[male announcer] At the 2004 Paralympics
-Please stay back there.
-held in Athens,
-Ready?
[male announcer]
Our Wonder Boy, So Wa Wai,
won a gold medal for Hong Kong
in the men's 200 m T36 classification,
and at the same time
broke his own world record.
[host] Congratulations to all
our wonderful winners
for receiving the 35th Hong Kong's
Ten Most Outstanding People Award.
Please step forward for our group photo.
Thank you to all our media partners.
[mouths]
Hi.
[Mrs. So mouths]
Thank you.
[host] Again, congratulations
to all the winners.
[indistinct chatter]
-[man] Hello, Mrs. So.
-Oh.
-Hi.
-Hi.
-Did I startle you?
-Oh, no, it's okay.
-This is my card.
-Oh.
Mr. Lau?
Please call me Victor.
My company specializes
in representing athletes and the like.
We help negotiate sponsorships
and sometimes arrange advertisement deals.
You see, gaining popularity is one thing.
But what's more important
is the extra income.
I'm sure, you know how hard it is
to be an athlete
especially in Hong Kong.
-[soft chuckle]
-Excuse me.
-Huh?
-The reporters are waiting.
-Oh, uh,
-They want to interview
-both you and Wai.
-just a second.
-It's all right. Go ahead.
-Okay.
Mr. Lau, how much can one earn
from, uh, single advertisement?
Uh, it's really hard to say.
But if there's one thing I can tell you,
it'll be much more
than winning a gold medal.
Ready, ma'am?
Uh, okay, I'll be right there.
Guess I'll be seeing you.
I'll look forward to it, ma'am.
[Mrs. So] Bye.
Goodbye. Take care.
-Goodbye.
-[Mrs. So] Goodbye.
After four years, the next Olympics
will be held in Beijing.
Um, for us Hong Kong athletes, uh
It is
[both mouthing]
It's extremely meaningful.
Um
I hope that I will be able
to run faster than ever before.
And hopefully,
break my own personal record.
[neighbors]
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone!
[applause]
[bright music]
-[Mrs. So] Coach Fong
-Yeah, yeah. Thank you very much.
-I got it.
-Oh, this beef is so good.
-Here have some of it.
-Oh, yeah, I'll have some.
-Thank you very much.
-Gill, we have
your favorite fish balls, so go eat up.
[Coach Fong] Yes, I will.
This is so delicious, thanks.
Coach Fong, for the next Paralympics,
I want the 100, 200, 400 events.
Sure.
That didn't take much convincing.
Look, if only Gai and Keung
weren't over the age limit,
-I'd have put them in the 4x100.
-[Mr. So] Wow.
Wa Wai, your coach has
so much faith in you.
No, no, I'm just spreading my bets evenly,
that's all.
-[girl] Happy a good Festival.
-[Wa Wai] Happy Festival.
[children jabbering in distance]
Wai.
Huh?
[chuckles]
Here.
[Gill] Why do you always wear flip-flops?
Ooh-ah!
[Gill] You don't cut your toenails?
-[Wa Wai] Of course, I do.
-I'll cut your nails for you, So Wa Wai!
-[Gill] So Wa Wai!
-[Wa Wai] Don't!
[Wa Wai chuckles]
Don't!
[Wa Wai and Gill chuckle]
[sighs]
Want some orange?
Wa Wai.
I have a brain teaser for you.
What, Ma?
Why do you think Ming
runs faster than a train?
Because Ming runs really fast.
Wrong!
[laughs]
Because because it's a toy train!
[laughing]
Why is it that you and Gill
have the same answer, Ma?
Why is it so hard to believe
that Jack could really outrun a train?
Why do you always talk about Gill, Wa Wai?
[gasps]
Why don't you tell Gill that you like her?
Why would you say something
as silly as that, Ma?
Don't you ever, ever repeat something
like that in front of her, okay?
Stop pretending. You can't fool me, kiddo.
The sun is bright, the wind is cool.
It's a perfect day to ask a girl out.
Wa Wai, you're a big boy now.
So ask.
Too bad, I can't hear you.
-[chuckles]
-Hey!
What was that?
I can't hear you!
[both laughing]
[leaves rustling]
[wind gusts softly]
[train rumbling]
[buzzing]
[train rumbles]
[panting]
[train screeching]
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
[panting continues]
Wai!
Faster! Faster!
Wai!
Come on!
[train screeches]
[train rattling]
[panting]
Oh, you did it.
My son ran faster than a train! Oh!
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai!
[both laughing]
[laughing continues]
How am I supposed to know
why he got into a fight?
Uh, excuse me, nurse,
where's the Osteology?
-Take the elevator to the seventh floor.
-Thank you.
I have to go now.
[Mr. So] I'll sue him!
Honey, take me to a private hospital.
Make sure you get me the best neurologist.
He has to pay for what he has done.
You fell down the stairs on your own.
Who do you want to sue?
Don't lawyers have fees, huh?
All the doctors here have fees.
Tell me, how much exactly do you have?
[Mrs. So] The doctor wants you to rest
for two months.
If you twist your neck again,
you'll be paralyzed.
[indistinct chatter]
Ma, I spoke to Keung about this
a while ago,
and he said he could recommend me
to the courier company.
No, Wai.
You're out there training all day,
and you want to do courier work,
-how could your leg survived that?
-Even better, it will be
-a part of my training.
-I said no, Wai.
I can just get another job.
Kin Wai, stop playing basketball
for the time being, maybe for two months.
You can help me take care of your papa.
Help him with going to the toilet
and stuff.
[frustrated sigh]
I play football.
[mellow music]
[Mrs. So] Hello, Victor?
[Victor] Yes, who's this?
[Mrs. So] This is Mrs. So.
I'm wondering if you could get
advertisement deals for my son?
[Victor] It's a little difficult nowadays.
The Olympics are still years from now.
No one will get athletes
for advertisements.
[Mrs. So] But given your capabilities,
I'm sure you can find something.
[Victor] Oh, how kind of you.
I'll make some calls
and get back to you right away.
Thank you.
I'll call again in a couple of days.
[Victor] All right, I'll get back to you
if I hear anything.
Get some rest, Mrs. So. Goodbye.
[somber music]
[cell phone ringing]
Here.
Take it.
Give them the money
and take the gold medals back.
Take it, go on.
No?
[Mrs. So breathes sharply]
Here.
I still have 3,000 in the bank.
That is all that's left in my savings.
Take it! Take it all here!
Take it!
I said take it!
Take it all!
Do you know that your brother
won each and every one of those medals
with his blood, sweat, and tears?
How dare you sell them?
You're a disappointment!
[Kin Wan] I already know that!
I'm a loser, not like my brother!
Have you ever looked after me?
Do you know my favorite food?
When we go out for Christmas,
my steak is always missing.
My hamburger has no patty!
I'm your son too, Ma.
You just had me to take care of him.
That's why I'm making money!
You know what?
I don't play basketball.
[sobs]
I've been playing football,
Ma.
[sniffles]
[door opens, closes]
[breathing heavily]
Ma.
I spoke to Keung about maybe working
with their courier again.
Then he said they were
still willing to hire me.
I told you not to worry about the money.
[breathes sharply]
Come on, Ma.
Ma, I don't wanna run.
I wanna make money.
Think about it, Mama.
I've already been to the Paralympics
and won several gold medals.
It's all right.
I don't wanna see you
working four jobs a day anymore.
I don't want my little brother
to make a living
just so I can keep running, Mama.
Hmm.
I don't want any of us having a hard time.
It'll be harder for me
to see you quit running.
People look up to you
because of what you've done.
But I don't look up to me
because of what you're going through.
No Wa Wai
Okay.
No.
Okay. All right.
Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, Mama.
[sobs]
[dramatic music]
Wai, have some breakfast.
Okay.
Uh, and this one
I've been waiting for you, you're so late.
Hey, stop it! You're still eating?
It's 3:30.
I'm sorry because
[babbles]
I don't understand what you're saying!
[panting]
[Coach Fong]
The Paralympics Committee called
and they want you to be
the official torchbearer.
I don't think I can.
[soft chuckle]
I'm not really an athlete anymore.
I'm a courier now, Coach Fong, you see.
Are you sure about that?
You'll be over 30 by the next one.
This might be your last chance to do it.
Coach Fong.
My father still isn't able
to go back to work.
Right now, I'm making around 7,000 a month
working at a courier company.
Once I become a regular employee,
then I'll be able to get
a 13th month's pay.
If I go back to running,
I only get 3,000 government subsidy
a month instead.
[somber music]
[newscaster] The historic Olympic flame
touched down in Hong Kong
from Ho Chi Minh City earlier today.
The torch relay in Hong Kong
has formally begun.
The first time Hong Kong ever since part
in the torch relay was in 1964
during the run-up
to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
This is the city's
second Olympic torch relay.
At eight o'clock this morning,
the Olympic torch relay
officially commenced
at the Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza
in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Notable celebrities and athletes
will join hands
for the passing of the flame.
The entire relay will last
for about eight hours,
passing all throughout Hong Kong.
Crowds holding the national
and HKSAR flags have lined the route
while the torchbearers are happily waving
to the excited crowd as they pass by.
What a spectacle indeed.
Everyone wants to get a glimpse
of the historical Olympic torch relay.
[somber music]
COUNTING DOWN TOWARDS
2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS
HONG KONG TEAM STRIVES
FOR ANOTHER GROUNDBREAKING VICTORY
[line ringing]
[Mrs. So]
Hello, Victor. It's Mrs. So again.
[Victor] Mrs. So? How may I help you?
I remember you said
that you were having difficulties
finding deals for Wa Wai?
The Beijing Olympics are about to begin.
Maybe now you can help him?
[Victor] Sure, Mrs. So,
but I thought Wa Wai
wasn't running anymore.
Honestly, it might be difficult
not unless he runs in Beijing.
[Mrs. So] Of course, for sure.
He never said he'd quit.
-Wai!
-Huh?
-Run faster, you're too slow!
-[Wa Wai] Okay.
Wa Wai.
-Hmm.
-I got some ad deals for you.
With the extra money,
you can keep running.
What do you mean? Advertisements?
[laughter]
[Mrs. So laughs]
You look so adorable.
-It's very nice, Wa Wai.
-[crew 1] Thanks.
Ma, can you stop laughing?
[chuckles]
You really look the part.
No, Mama.
I don't look anything like him, do I?
-You look cool!
-Doesn't he?
Absolutely.
You just like the real Wonder Boy
in the flesh.
-The clients gonna love this.
-Really?
I'm not kidding.
The client will fall in love with this.
Okay, he's ready.
[crew 2] All right. Wa Wai, we'll do
a rehearsal first, okay?
Mrs. So.
I've gotten a few sponsorships for you.
We got some shirts, pants, shoes, socks,
and some health drinks.
Just sign here
-then I'll send them to you.
-Oh, look there?
-[crew] Okay, Wa Wai. It's almost over.
-Are they free?
[soft chuckle]
That's what sponsorship means.
I see.
-I'll help you with that.
-Oh, thank you.
[crew] That's fine.
Wow. They are generous.
Oh, it's not that they're generous.
It's because I'm that good.
[camera shutter clicks]
[Mrs. So] I see.
[camera shutter clicks]
You're really running today.
You sure about that Wonder Boy.
[groaning]
Why would you say that?
[gentle music]
[inhales]
[soft grunt]
[uplifting music]
How was it?
How long?
You're back to the time
you were at Atlanta.
That's pretty normal,
it's not like you've been training.
[Coach Fong] You have eight months
before the Beijing games.
I know.
You need the deals to keep running.
Don't worry.
We'll make up for the lost time.
[breathes deeply]
[Coach Fong] Since you have a slow start,
you've got to run up to 50
to catch up with the rest.
That's why 200 m
is the best distance for you.
Because there's time for you to catch up.
But you have another issue,
it's your balance.
The 200 m track is curved.
You have to start practicing
from the outer track going inwards.
You have to run towards this line,
turning it into a straight track.
[Coach Fong] It may take longer,
but we need to lessen the curve.
Please try one, sir.
One, two.
One, two.
[Coach Fong] One, two.
One, two.
-[beeps]
-One, two. Again.
Your start has always been
your biggest problem.
Because you're wearing a hearing aid,
you start late.
You're the last to hear the shot.
One, two.
[Coach Fong] One, two.
[fan] One, two, three, smile.
[Coach Fong] If you want to get faster,
then we have to focus on how you start.
Hey.
[woman] Are you So Wa Wai?
-I am.
-Oh, my gosh!
You're even more handsome in person.
Here's a balloon for you.
[Wa Wai] I can't. My fingers are too weak.
Then make them stronger.
You're not a celebrity.
[Coach Fong] For you to catch up,
you have to try methods
you've never done before.
I will train your fingers as well.
Even if the progress
is one-tenth of a second.
[pants]
-[beeps]
-[panting]
Hmm, again.
Look over here, look at my hand.
[photographer] Do you see me?
Lower, stride.
Can you do it higher? Over here. Higher.
Come on, now.
-Lower.
-Higher.
Lower. Faster.
-[photographer] Higher!
-[Coach Fong] Again!
-[photographer] Higher!
-[Coach Fong] Lower!
Lower!
Higher!
[echoes]
Wai.
Come on. One more time.
[Wa Wai] No, I really need to train now.
You would have been done
if you did it right away.
Can he train now?
Do you want him to get in or not?
All right. Fine.
He's coming.
Go on, go ahead.
[whistle blows]
Mrs. So.
Victor, I'm not saying we're not
gonna film the ads.
But Wa Wai's current time is worse
than when he was in Atlanta.
For now, he has to focus on training, huh?
[Victor] I've negotiated these contracts
for you this week.
Take a look at this one.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Just look at the numbers, Mrs. So.
Why are you still hesitating?
This is Wai's most profitable time
right now.
Does he have any plans after retiring?
[somber music]
[Victor] Here in Hong Kong,
it's hard enough for a normal athlete
to support himself after he retires,
let alone someone like Wai.
In helping him earn money.
That's the best way to support him
as his mother.
There's this saying
one that every athlete should know.
"Moment of glory is temporary."
It is not forever.
How can a champion
go around smelling like a tramp?
-Hmm.
-[director 1] Cut!
Good take. Now, for the next scene
[Victor] It's going very well.
By the way, I'm really sorry.
We're a little late because of training.
You call a five hours a little?
Will you be paying our overtime?
Will he show up late for races?
I understand,
but I need to take a break.
Wai, what are you doing, huh?
What happened? Wai?
The director just told me
I was speaking too smoothly,
and I didn't sound like So Wa Wai,
and he told me
that I should stutter on purpose
to sound like someone
who has cerebral palsy.
I don't get it.
Why does he want me to do that?
Yes, but you have to listen to him Wai.
Do what the director asks you to do.
If that's stuttering
or speaking differently
then you have to do it!
Isn't it normally hard for you?
Go on, finish the shoot.
[sighs]
[whistle blows]
Come back.
[Coach Fong] Again.
Press harder.
[whistle blows]
Again.
[Wa Wai panting]
[Coach Fong] One more time.
Wai!
What's the matter?
I just wanna run, I don't wanna keep
practicing this way!
Fine, then quit!
Forget it!
I've been trying to help you!
But it's only ever your way, not mine!
How long are you going to
keep wasting my time?
I know that the only thing I need to do
is to keep looking forward,
and not I'm looking at that!
Yes, I know I starts slow, I get it.
But that's exactly why I sprint
so that I can catch up
with everybody else!
Catching up was the story of my life!
[dramatic music]
[crickets chirping]
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai.
The interview that has been scheduled
by Victor was moved to tomorrow.
[Wa Wai] I have training tomorrow.
[Mrs. So] No problem.
Then we'll just take a leave
from the Sports Institute.
[Wa Wai] Why would I?
But I need the training, Mama!
All right then.
I'll just tell Victor to reschedule it.
I thought I only needed to do it once.
Why do I keep getting more?
Just be patient, Wa Wai,
there's only a few left.
Hang in there.
Ma, I just really wanna run.
[sighs]
Wa Wai.
You can't run your entire life.
After shooting these,
you'll get a few more hundred grand.
It's worth it to run less.
Run a bit less?
Back then when I skip the lap
it wasn't fine.
Now you're saying it's enough!
Wai.
Now, you're telling me everything is okay.
[Mrs. So] The key is with me.
[somber music]
[director] Cut!
Let's watch the playback.
[crew] Okay, playback!
Excuse me, is there an outlet
where I could charge my cell phone?
You may use that one.
[director] Moving on to the next sequence.
This is okay. We're ready
for the next scene.
What happened? Did you find Wai?
My phone battery just died.
The next scene we're filming is Wa Wai's.
Yes, yes, okay.
-Mrs. So.
-Huh?
Mrs. So, you have to talk to him.
If he does not show up to the shoot,
they will sue me for sure.
And you'll have to pay too.
All right then.
Maybe he's just stuck in traffic.
As soon as my phone's charged,
I'll call him, right away.
[Mr. Lau] Please find him.
For both our sakes.
[panting]
Fifty-eight times.
What do you mean 58?
That's how many times
your mama's tried calling.
Mrs. So wants you to earn more money
because she cares about you.
[nail clips]
What if you tell Victor
that it's all right for me
to stand in for you?
-It would solve all my problems.
-[Gill blabbers]
Oh, you know what, Gill, there's
there's this one guy
who wanted me to do a starting pose,
and then he kept trying to tell me
to turn my head up
and look higher and higher.
I said how could I possibly do that?
-He kept--
-[Mrs. So] Wai!
Did I get you a phone
for the ringtone, huh?
-[Gill] Go on. Wai, go on.
-Why didn't you answer my calls?
Stay where you are!
Do you know that we waited for you
for eight hours?
-Mrs. So--
-We will owe a lot of money
-if you don't shoot the ad!
-Have some water first.
You talk to him!
What reason would he have to listen?
Maybe he'll listen to his girlfriend
if not to me!
Will you stop saying
ridiculous things, Ma!
You've always hidden your feelings,
kept them locked up inside.
I'll tell her if you won't.
He's always seen you
as someone special to him.
You've never had a boyfriend, right?
Not one in ten years.
My son is a good man,
why don't you like him?
Well, ma'am
He doesn't have what I'm looking for.
[soft music]
There are just certain things
that I would rather keep to myself
before anyone else finds out.
Why did you have to say that?
But I was helping you!
Yeah, but you're not helping.
You just want to control me.
I just want you to find someone
who cut your toenails for you.
I don't need others to cut them for me.
I can do it myself!
You'll got them yourself?
All right, go ahead.
Show me right now. Show me!
For over ten years, you have won
so many gold medals from running.
I've told myself, "My son is a genius."
That my son is an extraordinary boy.
But after this Paralympics,
will you still be able to run?
A time will come when no one
will remember who you are.
Who will look after you
when your father and I are gone?
Will you be content with the subsidies?
I'll be a courier again.
But your friend helped you.
Otherwise, who would hire you?
Anyone would prefer a normal person
over someone like you.
You're just like them, you never really
treated me like a normal person.
Since I was little, you've treated me
like a handicapped.
Even with my brother, you only had him
because I was handicapped.
You had me run because I'm handicapped,
and you accepted all these advertisements
for me because I'm handicapped.
I can only imagine how hard it is
to be handicapped.
And it's just as difficult for me
to keep being your mother.
From the very day you were born,
I was blamed for you.
When I sent you to train,
your father asked me
why I was forcing you to run in the race.
When you couldn't walk,
I forced you to walk.
And they would keep judging at all.
"What on earth were you thinking,
can't you see your son is crying?"
Wa Wai!
You have never been blamed
for the way you are, right?
I shouldered all that blame.
[sobbing]
[sobs, sniffles]
Mama.
[sobbing]
[dramatic music]
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai couldn't even walk
when he was younger.
Who would've thought
that he would turn out
to be an Olympic champion one day?
Turns out, nothings impossible
once you put your mind to it.
Even if you're slow in the beginning,
you can still win.
[man in ad] I believe
in Seon Bon Insurance.
[Mrs. So] I bought some wine.
Coach Fong.
Take this with you to Beijing.
You could have given it to me tomorrow.
I won't be there tomorrow.
What's going on?
[Mrs. So] Take care of him for me.
[Coach Fong] Wa Wai is an adult now.
He doesn't need anyone to look after him.
On the track, it's very simple.
Just keep going forward
and you won't get lost.
But in life it's different.
[sobbing]
[Coach Fong] Right now it is you
who Wa Wai needs the most.
Coach Fong.
What do you think about Wai,
is he extraordinary?
[Mrs. So] I believe in him.
If he says he can,
he can do it.
[male announcer] Much to everyone's
surprise and disappointment
Hong Kong's front-runner So Wa Wai
only came in third place in 12.38 seconds.
[male announcer] The men's T36 400 m race
is about to commence.
All participating athletes are ready
at their starting mark.
The crowd favorite, So Wa Wai,
had a rough start in the 100 m run
placing only in third place.
Let's see if he's able to warm up
and have a much better performance
later on.
[crowd cheering]
[female announcer] Men's 400 m T36.
[male announcer] On your mark.
Set
[gunshot]
[male announcer] The race had begun
and everyone started out strong.
At lane number four the aggressive
Zheng Hai Feng from China.
He's already overtaking Ukraine's
Viktor Buka at the first 100 m curve.
Russia is closing in at third place,
meanwhile, Hong Kong's champion So Wa Wai
is still lagging behind
in the first 200 m.
Unsure if he can catch up in the end.
Looking at the final 100,
Zheng Hai Feng
is definitely speeding through
leaving the rest by a mile
crossing the finish line
with 54.14 seconds.
Ukraine takes home the silver,
and Russia gets the bronze.
[male announcer on TV]
So Wa Wai only came in sixth.
He's probably just as surprised
by his shocking performance today.
[dramatic music]
[breathing deeply]
[Mrs. So] I told you,
the plastic bag doesn't work.
Instead of crying hard, run hard.
[Mrs. So] Don't worry,
everything's gonna be fine.
Don't be afraid.
You'll fail if you are.
But I am a failure.
I've lost two races already.
Exactly.
Why are you scared?
-Ma.
-Hmm?
Do you have any idea
why Jack runs faster than a train?
It's because
He's got a Wonder Ma.
That's enough.
[chuckling]
If it's wasn't for Wonder Boy,
there wouldn't be a Wonder Ma.
Oh
[chuckles]
Wa Wai.
You may walk slower than others,
but you run faster than all of them.
On your ma.
Set, go.
-On your ma.
-On your ma.
-Set.
-Set.
-Go.
-Go.
-On your ma.
-On your ma.
-Set.
-Set.
-Go.
-Go.
-On your ma!
-On your ma!
-Set, go!
-Set, go!
[both] On your ma!
[both] Set, go!
[lively music]
[crowd cheering]
It's time now, Wonder Boy.
You got this.
[crowd cheering]
Hey, Wai.
Do you know when you look the coolest?
[chuckles]
No.
[uplifting music]
-Wai!
-Wai!
-Wai!
-Wa Wai!
[crowd cheering]
[cheering continues]
[muffled cheering]
[silence]
[Mrs. So] When you start running,
imagine Mama watching you
at the finish line.
[sentimental music]
Get up!
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai.
You may walk slower than others,
but you run faster than all of them.
I want to run faster.
I will always be there for you.
[Mrs. So] On your ma.
Set.
Go.
[uplifting music]
Faster! Faster!
I know I can do this, Ma.
Trust your mama, you will love this.
I'm going to win lots and lots and lots
of gold medals just for you.
[uplifting music]
[uplifting music continues]
Yes!
He did it!
[Kin Wai] Wa Wai won, Grandpa. He won!
[all cheering]
Wai!
Aah!
Yes! You won, Wa Wai, you're incredible!
[uplifting music]
[soft piano music]
AT THE 2008 BEIJING PARALYMPICS
200 M T36 FINALS,
SO WA WAI BROKE HIS OWN
WORLD RECORD AT 24.65 SECONDS.
HE'S STILL THE CURRENT PARALYMPIC
RECORD HOLDER IN THIS CATEGORY.
[gentle music]
[indistinct chatter]
[male announcer] This is it.
2008 Paralympic Men's
200 m T36 final is underway
at the Beijing National Stadium
in front of more than 90,000 spectators,
and I'm not seeing any empty seats.
Which is rare, as the Paralympic Games
have never witnessed
a full house of spectators in any events.
Rumor has it
that Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau
is known to be a keen supporter
of one of today's runner, So Wa Wai
which may be the reason
why this event has attracted
a mass of spectators.
Andy Lau's fans
[Coach Fong] It's time now, Wonder Boy.
You got this.
[male announcer]
This is the fourth consecutive time
So Wa Wai has competed
in the Paralympic Games since 1996,
winning numerous gold medals.
However, at age 27,
he's considered to be an aging athlete
to compete at the international arena.
This may be his last run to glory,
his last medal.
Will we witness wonder
from him again today?
[female announcer] Men's T36 200 m finals
is about to begin.
Athletes, please approach
the starting line.
[high-pitched static]
[Mrs. So] On your ma.
Set.
Go.
[Wa Wai crying]
[crying continues]
[dramatic music]
[Wa Wai crying]
[Wa Wai's grandpa] Hey! Hey!
You have to go up to the second floor!
You have an appointment, go!
[dramatic music]
[doctor 1] Your grandson has
hemolytic jaundice.
Because his mother's blood type
is different from his,
her antibodies are causing
his bilirubin level to rise,
resulting in jaundice.
What does that mean?
It has affected his brain.
The part that controls his muscles
is permanently damaged.
In layman's terms,
he has cerebral palsy.
Even if he survives,
he may never be able to walk
or eat on his own.
All we can do for him now
is exchange transfusion.
The question is whether or not
you want to do it?
Yes!
Whatever it takes!
[crying]
[hissing]
[Wa Wai crying]
[doctor 2] Due to his cerebral palsy,
his muscle tone are not as good
as someone without his condition.
His limbs, for example,
his fingers are showing signs of atrophy.
In terms of his lower limbs,
since his muscles are very underdeveloped,
based on my experience,
if he isn't able to walk at this age yet,
his chances of walking are very slim.
And I'm afraid we've discovered
another complication,
His hearing is in 10 to 20 percent,
hence his difficulties with communication.
He needs to start wearing a hearing aid.
[Wa Wai wailing]
[wailing continues]
[loud buzzing]
[children chattering]
Can I have a coke, please?
[Mr. Shui] Sure.
Huh? Uh
It's all right, I'll give it to him.
Why are you giving it to him?
But what about them?
[Mrs. So] Here, take this.
[children babbling]
[babbling continues]
[children chattering]
[somber music]
[worker] Why did she get us stop?
I can't believe--
[business owner] What's the hold up?
Why aren't you working?
Oh, apparently, Mrs. So's son
lost his hearing aid.
She's looking for it.
Are you and your son
both mentally challenged?
I already agreed for you
to bring him to work.
But now I've got to stop operations?
I have a deadline to meet.
Hurry up and find it!
Get back to work!
-Stop messing around!
-[thuds]
[indistinct chatter]
[machine rumbling]
Wai?
Wai?
Wai?
Wa Wai!
Wai!
[Mrs. So] Wai!
Wai!
[Wa Wai chuckles]
Wai
What are you doing there?
Who put you in there?
You may not walk,
but you can still scream, you know!
[giggles]
What's that smile?
What's so funny?
What's so funny, huh?
[gasps]
You have to walk right now,
or we can just die here!
[clanks]
[machine whirring]
Walk.
[machine whirring]
[inaudible]
[hissing]
Get up and walk!
Get up and walk!
Look at me, get up and walk, Wa Wai!
Get up and walk, please!
I'm always watching.
I'm always watching.
[machine rumbling]
[machine whirs to stop]
[somber music]
[breathes hard]
[crying]
[wailing]
[sobbing]
[uplifting music]
[uplifting music continues]
[soft gasp]
Come here.
No one will ever treat you
like an ordinary person.
So just be
extraordinary.
[uplifting music]
[Mrs. So] All right, good job, Wa Wai.
One more step, that's it.
One more time, what's your name, big boy?
Shu Ah Ai.
Mmm, that's "Wai".
So.
Wa.
Wai.
So Wa Wai.
Show Grandpa how you walk.
That's a good boy.
Papa, Wa Wai is doing well.
Honey, I went to see the doctor.
He said Wa Wai's condition
isn't hereditary.
He said if we had another child,
he should be fine.
Yeah, but that would cost a lot.
So what?
When we get older,
someone has to take care of Wa Wai.
[Mrs. So] Quit playing around and hurry.
Come on.
[Kin Wai] Brother!
Brother!
[Wa Wai] Hello!
-[Wa Wai] Where did you go, little guy?
-[sighs]
[Mrs. So] Hurry up you two.
I still have a lot of laundry to do,
and I have to bring them to the factory.
-Oh, and by the way, your homework--
-[Wa Wai] Ma
I really need to go to the toilet.
[clicks tongue]
Jeez, not again. Hurry up.
[Wa Wai] Okay.
[Mrs. So] Kin Wai.
You must really love egg so much
because you've got another zero.
[Mrs. So] Okay, tell me. What's this word?
[Kin Wai] I don't know.
[Mrs. So] And this one?
I don't know.
It says, "Sports Association
for the Physically Disabled."
[Kin Wai] "Sports Association."
"Track and field."
[Kin Wai] "Track and field?"
[Wa Wai] It's me, the God of Fortune!
Mrs. Chan, the God of Fortune is here!
You're gonna be rich!
-God of Fortune is here!
-[Mrs. Chan] Huh?
Wow, you can write already? How smart!
Nice handwriting!
Okay, here's ten bucks for you, Wa Wai.
Thank you, Mrs. Chan.
-You're a good boy. Bye now.
-Thank you so much.
One, two
Hey, hey, Wa Wai, I'm supposed to tell you
to come home for dinner.
What are you doing over there?
My Fortune Charms!
We're gonna eat like Kings tonight,
little brother!
Oh, wow!
[Wa Wai chuckles]
Hey, you, who said you could
sell those here?
If you do, you gotta pay me first,
you understand?
What are you doing?
Don't you move or I'll hit you.
Mama, there's some bullies out here!
What?
Wai!
[bully 1] Hey! Stop running, you jerk!
[quirky music]
-You'd better not let me catch you!
-[Mrs. So] Wai!
[bully 1] Can't you run any faster?
-[bully 2] Let's go, let's go!
-[bully 1] Come on, hurry up! Go get him!
He's upstairs!
Hurry, hurry!
Faster, get a move on! Chase him!
To the left!
[uplifting music]
Wai, go faster! Run faster!
-[bully 1] Will you stop following me?
-[bully 2] Where did he go?
-[bully 1] Go around him!
-[bully 2] Over there!
Where are you going?
[bully 1] Hurry, he's up ahead!
[Mrs. So] Hurry up, Wai!
Don't let them catch you!
Wai, keep running faster! Run faster!
-[Mrs. So] Run faster, Wai!
-[bully 2] Hey! Stop, Wai!
[bully 1] Stop it, you jerk!
-[Wa Wai pants]
-Back off!
Go! Go, go!
-[bully 1] Let's get out of here.
-[bully 2] Come on, let's go, come on.
Wa Wai, are you all right?
Huh? Do you feel sick?
We can eat more.
[panting]
I'd like to register my son.
Here, Wai.
How old are you, young man?
I'm 13.
I'm afraid he's too young.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE
14 YEARS OLD AND ABOVE.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BE
[chuckles]
He has the right Korean age, 14.
[chuckling]
Korean?
[chuckles]
Fine.
Let me put it this way.
He's 13 years old.
If I let him in,
he'll be racing against older kids.
That wouldn't be fair to him.
Look at him, he's so lanky.
He's probably a lot taller
than most grown-ups.
He's even taller than you right now.
[chuckles]
Come on, just give him a chance.
[Hong] Ma'am, bring him back next year.
-[man 1] All right, come on. There you go.
-[man 2] Keep the record.
[overlapping chatter]
[man 3] Goodness!
Let's go!
[overlapping chatter]
Wai!
Where are you going?
[uplifting music]
You're almost to get to the finish line.
Just look over there. Keep running, go!
[indistinct chatter]
Wai,
they're older
but they are not as tall as you.
[race organizer] All right! On your marks.
Set.
[whistle blows]
Let's go, Wai.
[upbeat music]
Wa Wai! You already finished the race!
[Mrs. So] Wai! Wa Wai!
The race is done!
-Come on back, Wai!
-[man] Excuse me.
-Wa Wai! Come on, son.
-Hey, ma'am.
-Come back! Huh?
-Hey, ma'am.
He's your son?
Uh, yeah.
I'd like to invite him
to train track and field with me.
I'm Coach Fong,
I trained the Para-Athletics Team.
Huh?
Bring him on Monday at seven o'clock.
[bright upbeat music]
Wai.
You'll start training soon.
Listen to Coach Fong.
And if you have questions, you ask.
Don't you give up easily.
You hear me?
Can you do it?
Okay.
But it's just running.
How difficult could that be?
[quirky music]
[panting]
Seven more to go!
Don't stop running!
If you can't do it, just go!
You're just slowing down everybody else!
[upbeat music]
[panting]
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
Coach Fong, are you really sure about
keeping this guy around?
-[Mrs. So] You okay?
-[Gai] Let's get someone else.
Are you tired? Here drink some water.
[Coach Fong] You know what?
If you wanna rest, go home.
[Coach Fong] Keep going.
I got this, go.
Mrs. So,
if you want me to be his coach,
you have to trust me.
Look, you can't be here.
Also, stay off the track.
You're not an athlete.
Here you go. Have some water.
Drink slowly.
A word of advice?
Don't take Coach Fong too seriously, okay?
If he tells you to run ten laps,
just say, "Yes, Coach!"
Then run for two.
And walk the rest of the way.
All right.
Are you part of the team too?
Coach Fong is my brother.
[hurried footsteps]
By the way, that guy over there,
why is he running
with a bag over his head?
He's just crazy.
You know what he told me,
it's similar to high-altitude running.
[Gill] He's training
as cardiovascular function.
From what I heard,
he used to race trains at a distance
of 100 m as part of his training.
And you know what,
he actually beat the train.
And that's why we call him Train Tung.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Will you just stop it?
It's not gonna work.
-[grumbling]
-No.
What's all that about?
Pitch me, man.
Only Gai can understand him.
So we need him to translate
what he's saying for us.
All right, fine! Do what you want.
Just don't blame me
if you end up getting killed.
[babbles]
Whatever, suit yourself.
What does he want now?
He said that there's a faster way
of passing the baton, but whatever.
-Hurry up. Come on.
-All right, all right.
[babbling]
Okay, I'll see you right here.
Hurry up.
[Keung screams]
Aah!
[groans]
Hey, Tung, train by yourself.
Okay.
[Coach Fong] Gai and Keung. Run five laps.
Do one more round after
a three-minute break.
Sprint for the last 200 and then repeat.
Then afterwards baton passing with me.
-[Keung] Mm.
-[Gai] Got it.
Wa Wai, ten more laps for you.
[Coach Fong] That's 20 in total. Nonstop.
You know what does mean, right?
Yeah.
Go on.
[clicks tongue]
Hey!
[Coach Fong] I said run, not walk.
Okay, I'm all done!
The lights are out, but you're not.
You're not going anywhere.
Not until you finish the last eight.
Go on.
[Coach Fong] Do you know why I chose you?
You had very steady frequent strides
when you race that day.
I've never seen such
an incredible first-timer.
But I haven't seen it since.
You haven't shown me
that you can do it again.
[Gai] Wa Wai, the reason why coach
is tough on you
is because he's pushing you
to be good enough to take his place.
He took Tung, Keung, and myself
to run the 400 m relay
at the last Paralympics.
Even with our times from practice,
we could have won a medal.
But then Keung and I thought
we already crossed
the changeover zone
during the baton passing.
and then we lost time.
In the end, we came into fourth
and didn't get a medal.
It really affected Coach Fong
because that was his last Paralympics.
Why did Coach Fong stop running?
He hurt his back really bad, plus his age.
All three of us are over 30 years old.
This could very well be
the last year we can run too.
So we're counting on you.
Are you saying
that we might get a gold medal
if I run fast?
Who knows?
At the rate you're going, maybe a silver.
No way, I have to get a gold medal!
Yeah, I have to get a gold medal!
[laughs]
His record is still over by 15 seconds.
Oh, that's not too bad.
I think we can work with these numbers.
What I'm most worried about
is his balance.
I mean look at him.
He can't be the first or the third runner
because of the curve.
So that just leaves the second.
And his baton passing isn't that good yet.
[Train Tung] Hurry!
Oh, no, we'll be in big trouble.
But why?
I've always been the anchor leg!
That's my final decision.
[breathes heavily]
Is he really that special?
We're a team, Tung.
It doesn't matter
who crosses the finish line.
Oh, it doesn't!
[grunting]
I quit!
-Hey, Tung.
-Let go!
Are you done overreacting?
If he runs third,
then we're through for sure.
But if he's last
then will still got a chance.
You really want him to run fourth?
He'd better do it under 15!
[Train Tung grunts]
[Gai] You heard him.
[quirky music]
[beeps]
Go on.
[Coach Fong] Slowly.
Find your balance.
Squat down lower.
[pants, grunts]
[Mrs. So] Don't rush it,
find your balance.
-[Wa Wai] Oh!
-[Mrs. So] My goodness!
[both groan]
-Aah!
-[Gai] Wai!
You think you can do it?
[plastic rustles]
[sobbing]
Wai? Why are you covering your head
with this bag?
Huh?
[sobs]
Wai?
Why are you crying, huh?
What's wrong?
Huh?
Come on and tell Mama, huh?
I want to I
I want to run faster.
[sobbing]
I'm really trying my best.
[sobbing heavily]
It's better to run than to keep crying.
[breathing heavily]
[whimsical music]
[train rumbling]
Let's make it under 15 seconds together!
Faster! Faster!
Shine, you are to shine
You are now lighting of the sky
Hey, it's you and I
A nice and juicy hamburger.
Wa Wai, from now on
you have to eat more beef.
You need to build more muscles,
so one day you'll be strong enough
to carry even two Gills.
Kin Wai, this one's for you.
[Mrs. So] What? Yours has cheese on it.
Wa Wai doesn't have any.
Hey, look on the step. Wait for me.
Be the one
Get set and go for the run
No matter how far it seems
Go for your dreams
-Run and just reach
-Look, Ma!
-Go!
-Someday you will be up high
-Reach out your arm
-[Mrs. So panting]
Touch the sky
Come spread your wings and fly
[Kin Wai] Eggs for you, Papa.
Eggs for you, Mama.
And eggs for you, big brother.
[laughter]
That's why you should give it a try
No matter how hard
Take a stand and go forward
Just fly
[whistle blows]
Hand!
[beeps]
[frustrated sigh]
[Coach Fong] Hey!
Young man.
Excuse me, for a second.
[Mrs. So] This is my usual spot.
[objects clatter]
What's up?
Train Tung didn't show up
again today, huh?
It's his decision
if he wants to run with us or not.
But there's only three of us,
are you gonna run again?
You think you can give him a call?
Are you crazy?
He doesn't have any problem with Keung.
You call him.
Come on, Gai, why me?
[muttering indistinctly]
You know how he is!
Never mind, let him be.
[soft chuckle]
Uh
I'm not allowed inside.
But you are, you just refused to.
Well, there are a lot of mosquitoes here.
They're so annoying.
Hey, did you know that you have a fan?
[Mrs. So] That silly boy Wa Wai
wears a plastic bag
over his head like you.
I'm using this the wrong way.
I used them for carrying stuff.
Want some?
It's good.
Let's share, okay?
[sighs]
One day, that boy came crying and crying.
And then he said,
"I wish I could run as fast as him."
[sighs]
It must be cool
to be admired.
[suspenseful music]
[suspenseful music rises]
[Train Tung] Run!
Run!
I told you to run, you idiot!
Run! Run!
Get your butt out there and run!
Run!
Grab it!
Run! Hurry up!
Faster! Faster!
Run faster and go!
Go faster! Faster!
Run! Keep running!
[panting]
[beeps]
14.57!
[Gai] You did it! Yeah!
[relieved sigh]
[chuckles]
[Mr. So] Do your best, my boy.
I told all our relatives to watch
the live broadcast and cheer you on.
But there's no live broadcast
of the Paralympics in Hong Kong.
Oh, really?
It's not right when Lee Lai Shan
won an Olympic gold,
I saw it on television.
How can the Paralympics compare?
We only get less than a hundred thousand
and that's it for bringing home a medal.
You know how much Lee Lai Shan got
for her gold?
She got a million from the government.
But why the difference?
Equal pay for equal work does not exist.
[plane zooming]
I'll check us in. Don't go anywhere.
I'll be right back.
-Let's go.
-This way, please.
[indistinct chatter]
[phone rings]
Wa Wai?
[Wa Wai] Mama, can you hear me? Mama?
Yes, I can hear you. I can hear you.
[Wa Wai] I can only talk for five minutes.
Huh? Oh, all right.
Then I'll talk really fast.
You flew for 12 hours, are you tired?
[Mrs. So] Did you get some sleep?
Eat lots of beef,
US beef is really good for you.
Yeah, there's a lot of beef here.
[Wa Wai] They have steaks and burgers.
Everything is free.
Well, that's great. Stuff yourself then.
You will need the energy for running.
But I don't wanna run anymore.
You're not here.
[Wa Wai] And I'm all alone.
You're not alone, you hear me?
Mama is always watching you.
How is that?
[Wa Wai] Are you gonna fly over here?
Hey, when you start running,
imagine Mama watching you
at the finish line.
[Mrs. So] It's kinda like what they say
at the beginning,
"Look at Ma, set go!"
[Wa Wai] Huh?
"Look at your ma, set go!"
Oh.
[chuckles]
It's not "look at your ma."
It's "on your mark."
[chuckling]
By the way, where's Papa
and little brother?
[Mr. So and Kin Wai snoring]
Well, they're both sleeping soundly
like little pigs.
[sniffles]
Let me listen.
Just a second.
Hang on.
[both snoring]
[sniffling]
[sentimental music]
[female announcer]
Men's 4x100 m T36 to 38 relay
is about to begin.
Athletes, please approach
the starting line.
Final call for the men's
T36 to 38 4x100 m relay.
Athletes
[Hong] How is it?
[Gill] It's not working,
there's no signal!
How about now?
[Gill] No, nothing!
Move it a bit more. There's no signal!
[Hong] How about now?
No signal!
[TV static]
[Gill] It's working! Don't move!
Oh, look, there he is.
[female announcer]
Men's 4x100 m T36 to 38 relay
is about to begin.
Athletes, please
[Kin Wan] I need to pee, Mama.
Just hold it in. The race is gonna start.
[female announcer] Final call
for the men's T36 to 38 4x100 m relay.
Athletes, line up
behind the starting line.
All personnel should clear the tracks.
[tense music]
[exhales]
[sucks teeth]
Keung! Keung!
Keung! Don't be scared!
You've got this, so don't be afraid.
-Don't give in to fear!
-Sir, you've got to get off immediately.
-Listen to me, I know you can do this!
-Come on! Come on!
-Come with us, sir.
-[Coach Fong] This is our last race.
Win this medal for us, Keung.
Do you hear me?
-You can do this!
-[personnel] Come on.
I know you can!
Yes!
[shouting]
I can do it!
Yes!
Yes!
[blows air]
[female announcer]
Men's T36 to 38 4x100 m relay.
[announcer 4] On your mark,
set
[gunshot]
[crowd cheering]
[Keung yelps]
Gai!
Gai!
[crowd cheering]
[panting]
Faster. Must go fast.
Start running!
Hand!
Go faster!
Head for the finish line!
Head for the finish line!
[male announcer] Hong Kong is catching up
and closing the gap
between Japan and the United States
with Great Britain right on their tails.
[crowd cheering]
We're into the last 20 m.
Everyone is chasing hard.
This is very tight.
It's just at the line!
[camera shutter clicking]
Japan, United States, and Hong Kong.
I believe we'll have to wait
for the replay
to know who's taking home the gold medal.
This shouldn't take long.
All runners are looking at the big screen.
[suspenseful music]
It's Hong Kong! The time, 50.46.
Men's T36 to 38 4x100 relay champion
goes to the Hong Kong team,
silver for the United States,
and Japan gets the bronze.
Congratulations to Hong Kong
for winning their first Paralympic gold
for this event!
[groans]
[sobbing]
[panting]
-[Train Tung] Get up! Get up!
-[Gai] Get up!
[Keung mumbles]
[Gai] We just won first place!
-We won. First place.
-Yeah.
Get up!
[Gai] Look!
-[all screaming]
-[Gai] First place!
[Gai laughs]
First place!
[all] Yeah!
-Yeah!
-Yeah!
Yeah!
-Sir! Sir!
-You can't be here.
Sorry.
Yeah! Yes! Yes!
My team!
My team!
Yes!
[all cheering]
-[Train Tung] First place!
-[Gai] First place!
[sobbing]
[exhales]
[laughing softly]
[gentle music]
[woman 1] Oh, they're here.
I'm so excited.
-[woman 2] Yay!
-[man 1] It's So Wa Wai!
-[woman screams]
-[man 2] The bus is coming!
He he's looking over here.
Wai!
[man 3] Hey, guys!
[Wa Wai] Mama!
Mama!
-I miss you so much!
-Wai!
[Wa Wai] Mama, I miss you!
[woman 3] Well done, guys.
[Mrs. So] Wow, this is so heavy!
-How are you? Are you tired?
-[reporter 1] Excuse me, So Wa Wai.
How does it feel representing Hong Kong
and getting your first gold medal?
[reporter 2] And you, Mrs. So?
Your son represented the country
at such a young age
and garnered incredible results,
how does that make you feel?
It's it's wonderful.
[reporter 2] So, "Mrs. Wonder Mom,"
just what exactly is your secret
in raising your "Wonder Boy"?
Eat lots of beef.
[laughter]
[reporter 3] As the mother
of a Paralympic athlete,
what do you think the government
needs to improve on?
[camera shutters clicking]
Equal pay for equal work.
[reporter 3] What?
Well, it's true.
They're just the same
as Olympic medalists.
Why do Paralympians get
so much less than Olympic athletes?
They should be getting paid equally.
For the work that they do,
there's no difference.
-[applause]
-[man 3] That's great.
Well said!
[crowd applauding]
[gentle music]
[Wa Wai] Ma.
This is for you.
When I was little,
Grandpa always told me
that when you married Papa,
you didn't have any gold jewelry.
I promise
I'm going to win lots and lots and lots
of gold medals just for you.
[gentle music continues]
[sniffles]
[sobs]
[light music]
[male announcer]
Runners are on their marks.
SO WA WAI'S MOM SUPPORTS HER SON
The gun has went off!
Japan and Ukraine had a good start,
Hong Kong started late
and has got some work to do.
Japan is in a good place,
and he's already passing the British
and the Chinese, Hong Kong in last.
Things are not looking good for Hong Kong.
Can he catch up after the turn?
Japan is still in the lead
with China right on their shoulders
along with Ukraine.
Japan, China, Ukraine, Great Britain.
We're in the sprint now,
Hong Kong is trying
to get it up to second last place,
and now he's closing the gap from behind,
but there's still quite a stretch.
This is the last 100 m.
And everyone is giving it their all.
Hong Kong is chasing hard,
and he's still going strong.
This is So Wa Wai,
he's storming through the crowd!
Japan is in danger now!
He's going extremely well,
and he's taken the lead!
I cannot believe it!
This is sensational! He is flying!
Ukraine is catching up,
with Japan still in second,
but So Wa Wai is out in the clear!
He's a force to be reckoned with.
What an extraordinary run for So Wa Wai!
He's gonna take home the gold medal!
History is made for Hong Kong once again!
The time is 24.36, a new world record!
-Yes!
-This is the third Paralympic gold medal
for So Wa Wai of Hong Kong
-after the men's 100 m and 400 m final.
-[both cheering]
This is also the third consecutive time
that he has broken his own world record.
-Congratulations!
-[all cheer]
Aah!
[crowd cheering]
-That's my son right there! That's my son!
-Congratulations!
[victorious music]
Aah!
Wai!
[uplifting music]
[laughing]
-[male announcer] At the 2004 Paralympics
-Please stay back there.
-held in Athens,
-Ready?
[male announcer]
Our Wonder Boy, So Wa Wai,
won a gold medal for Hong Kong
in the men's 200 m T36 classification,
and at the same time
broke his own world record.
[host] Congratulations to all
our wonderful winners
for receiving the 35th Hong Kong's
Ten Most Outstanding People Award.
Please step forward for our group photo.
Thank you to all our media partners.
[mouths]
Hi.
[Mrs. So mouths]
Thank you.
[host] Again, congratulations
to all the winners.
[indistinct chatter]
-[man] Hello, Mrs. So.
-Oh.
-Hi.
-Hi.
-Did I startle you?
-Oh, no, it's okay.
-This is my card.
-Oh.
Mr. Lau?
Please call me Victor.
My company specializes
in representing athletes and the like.
We help negotiate sponsorships
and sometimes arrange advertisement deals.
You see, gaining popularity is one thing.
But what's more important
is the extra income.
I'm sure, you know how hard it is
to be an athlete
especially in Hong Kong.
-[soft chuckle]
-Excuse me.
-Huh?
-The reporters are waiting.
-Oh, uh,
-They want to interview
-both you and Wai.
-just a second.
-It's all right. Go ahead.
-Okay.
Mr. Lau, how much can one earn
from, uh, single advertisement?
Uh, it's really hard to say.
But if there's one thing I can tell you,
it'll be much more
than winning a gold medal.
Ready, ma'am?
Uh, okay, I'll be right there.
Guess I'll be seeing you.
I'll look forward to it, ma'am.
[Mrs. So] Bye.
Goodbye. Take care.
-Goodbye.
-[Mrs. So] Goodbye.
After four years, the next Olympics
will be held in Beijing.
Um, for us Hong Kong athletes, uh
It is
[both mouthing]
It's extremely meaningful.
Um
I hope that I will be able
to run faster than ever before.
And hopefully,
break my own personal record.
[neighbors]
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone!
[applause]
[bright music]
-[Mrs. So] Coach Fong
-Yeah, yeah. Thank you very much.
-I got it.
-Oh, this beef is so good.
-Here have some of it.
-Oh, yeah, I'll have some.
-Thank you very much.
-Gill, we have
your favorite fish balls, so go eat up.
[Coach Fong] Yes, I will.
This is so delicious, thanks.
Coach Fong, for the next Paralympics,
I want the 100, 200, 400 events.
Sure.
That didn't take much convincing.
Look, if only Gai and Keung
weren't over the age limit,
-I'd have put them in the 4x100.
-[Mr. So] Wow.
Wa Wai, your coach has
so much faith in you.
No, no, I'm just spreading my bets evenly,
that's all.
-[girl] Happy a good Festival.
-[Wa Wai] Happy Festival.
[children jabbering in distance]
Wai.
Huh?
[chuckles]
Here.
[Gill] Why do you always wear flip-flops?
Ooh-ah!
[Gill] You don't cut your toenails?
-[Wa Wai] Of course, I do.
-I'll cut your nails for you, So Wa Wai!
-[Gill] So Wa Wai!
-[Wa Wai] Don't!
[Wa Wai chuckles]
Don't!
[Wa Wai and Gill chuckle]
[sighs]
Want some orange?
Wa Wai.
I have a brain teaser for you.
What, Ma?
Why do you think Ming
runs faster than a train?
Because Ming runs really fast.
Wrong!
[laughs]
Because because it's a toy train!
[laughing]
Why is it that you and Gill
have the same answer, Ma?
Why is it so hard to believe
that Jack could really outrun a train?
Why do you always talk about Gill, Wa Wai?
[gasps]
Why don't you tell Gill that you like her?
Why would you say something
as silly as that, Ma?
Don't you ever, ever repeat something
like that in front of her, okay?
Stop pretending. You can't fool me, kiddo.
The sun is bright, the wind is cool.
It's a perfect day to ask a girl out.
Wa Wai, you're a big boy now.
So ask.
Too bad, I can't hear you.
-[chuckles]
-Hey!
What was that?
I can't hear you!
[both laughing]
[leaves rustling]
[wind gusts softly]
[train rumbling]
[buzzing]
[train rumbles]
[panting]
[train screeching]
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
[panting continues]
Wai!
Faster! Faster!
Wai!
Come on!
[train screeches]
[train rattling]
[panting]
Oh, you did it.
My son ran faster than a train! Oh!
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai!
[both laughing]
[laughing continues]
How am I supposed to know
why he got into a fight?
Uh, excuse me, nurse,
where's the Osteology?
-Take the elevator to the seventh floor.
-Thank you.
I have to go now.
[Mr. So] I'll sue him!
Honey, take me to a private hospital.
Make sure you get me the best neurologist.
He has to pay for what he has done.
You fell down the stairs on your own.
Who do you want to sue?
Don't lawyers have fees, huh?
All the doctors here have fees.
Tell me, how much exactly do you have?
[Mrs. So] The doctor wants you to rest
for two months.
If you twist your neck again,
you'll be paralyzed.
[indistinct chatter]
Ma, I spoke to Keung about this
a while ago,
and he said he could recommend me
to the courier company.
No, Wai.
You're out there training all day,
and you want to do courier work,
-how could your leg survived that?
-Even better, it will be
-a part of my training.
-I said no, Wai.
I can just get another job.
Kin Wai, stop playing basketball
for the time being, maybe for two months.
You can help me take care of your papa.
Help him with going to the toilet
and stuff.
[frustrated sigh]
I play football.
[mellow music]
[Mrs. So] Hello, Victor?
[Victor] Yes, who's this?
[Mrs. So] This is Mrs. So.
I'm wondering if you could get
advertisement deals for my son?
[Victor] It's a little difficult nowadays.
The Olympics are still years from now.
No one will get athletes
for advertisements.
[Mrs. So] But given your capabilities,
I'm sure you can find something.
[Victor] Oh, how kind of you.
I'll make some calls
and get back to you right away.
Thank you.
I'll call again in a couple of days.
[Victor] All right, I'll get back to you
if I hear anything.
Get some rest, Mrs. So. Goodbye.
[somber music]
[cell phone ringing]
Here.
Take it.
Give them the money
and take the gold medals back.
Take it, go on.
No?
[Mrs. So breathes sharply]
Here.
I still have 3,000 in the bank.
That is all that's left in my savings.
Take it! Take it all here!
Take it!
I said take it!
Take it all!
Do you know that your brother
won each and every one of those medals
with his blood, sweat, and tears?
How dare you sell them?
You're a disappointment!
[Kin Wan] I already know that!
I'm a loser, not like my brother!
Have you ever looked after me?
Do you know my favorite food?
When we go out for Christmas,
my steak is always missing.
My hamburger has no patty!
I'm your son too, Ma.
You just had me to take care of him.
That's why I'm making money!
You know what?
I don't play basketball.
[sobs]
I've been playing football,
Ma.
[sniffles]
[door opens, closes]
[breathing heavily]
Ma.
I spoke to Keung about maybe working
with their courier again.
Then he said they were
still willing to hire me.
I told you not to worry about the money.
[breathes sharply]
Come on, Ma.
Ma, I don't wanna run.
I wanna make money.
Think about it, Mama.
I've already been to the Paralympics
and won several gold medals.
It's all right.
I don't wanna see you
working four jobs a day anymore.
I don't want my little brother
to make a living
just so I can keep running, Mama.
Hmm.
I don't want any of us having a hard time.
It'll be harder for me
to see you quit running.
People look up to you
because of what you've done.
But I don't look up to me
because of what you're going through.
No Wa Wai
Okay.
No.
Okay. All right.
Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, Mama.
[sobs]
[dramatic music]
Wai, have some breakfast.
Okay.
Uh, and this one
I've been waiting for you, you're so late.
Hey, stop it! You're still eating?
It's 3:30.
I'm sorry because
[babbles]
I don't understand what you're saying!
[panting]
[Coach Fong]
The Paralympics Committee called
and they want you to be
the official torchbearer.
I don't think I can.
[soft chuckle]
I'm not really an athlete anymore.
I'm a courier now, Coach Fong, you see.
Are you sure about that?
You'll be over 30 by the next one.
This might be your last chance to do it.
Coach Fong.
My father still isn't able
to go back to work.
Right now, I'm making around 7,000 a month
working at a courier company.
Once I become a regular employee,
then I'll be able to get
a 13th month's pay.
If I go back to running,
I only get 3,000 government subsidy
a month instead.
[somber music]
[newscaster] The historic Olympic flame
touched down in Hong Kong
from Ho Chi Minh City earlier today.
The torch relay in Hong Kong
has formally begun.
The first time Hong Kong ever since part
in the torch relay was in 1964
during the run-up
to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
This is the city's
second Olympic torch relay.
At eight o'clock this morning,
the Olympic torch relay
officially commenced
at the Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza
in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Notable celebrities and athletes
will join hands
for the passing of the flame.
The entire relay will last
for about eight hours,
passing all throughout Hong Kong.
Crowds holding the national
and HKSAR flags have lined the route
while the torchbearers are happily waving
to the excited crowd as they pass by.
What a spectacle indeed.
Everyone wants to get a glimpse
of the historical Olympic torch relay.
[somber music]
COUNTING DOWN TOWARDS
2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS
HONG KONG TEAM STRIVES
FOR ANOTHER GROUNDBREAKING VICTORY
[line ringing]
[Mrs. So]
Hello, Victor. It's Mrs. So again.
[Victor] Mrs. So? How may I help you?
I remember you said
that you were having difficulties
finding deals for Wa Wai?
The Beijing Olympics are about to begin.
Maybe now you can help him?
[Victor] Sure, Mrs. So,
but I thought Wa Wai
wasn't running anymore.
Honestly, it might be difficult
not unless he runs in Beijing.
[Mrs. So] Of course, for sure.
He never said he'd quit.
-Wai!
-Huh?
-Run faster, you're too slow!
-[Wa Wai] Okay.
Wa Wai.
-Hmm.
-I got some ad deals for you.
With the extra money,
you can keep running.
What do you mean? Advertisements?
[laughter]
[Mrs. So laughs]
You look so adorable.
-It's very nice, Wa Wai.
-[crew 1] Thanks.
Ma, can you stop laughing?
[chuckles]
You really look the part.
No, Mama.
I don't look anything like him, do I?
-You look cool!
-Doesn't he?
Absolutely.
You just like the real Wonder Boy
in the flesh.
-The clients gonna love this.
-Really?
I'm not kidding.
The client will fall in love with this.
Okay, he's ready.
[crew 2] All right. Wa Wai, we'll do
a rehearsal first, okay?
Mrs. So.
I've gotten a few sponsorships for you.
We got some shirts, pants, shoes, socks,
and some health drinks.
Just sign here
-then I'll send them to you.
-Oh, look there?
-[crew] Okay, Wa Wai. It's almost over.
-Are they free?
[soft chuckle]
That's what sponsorship means.
I see.
-I'll help you with that.
-Oh, thank you.
[crew] That's fine.
Wow. They are generous.
Oh, it's not that they're generous.
It's because I'm that good.
[camera shutter clicks]
[Mrs. So] I see.
[camera shutter clicks]
You're really running today.
You sure about that Wonder Boy.
[groaning]
Why would you say that?
[gentle music]
[inhales]
[soft grunt]
[uplifting music]
How was it?
How long?
You're back to the time
you were at Atlanta.
That's pretty normal,
it's not like you've been training.
[Coach Fong] You have eight months
before the Beijing games.
I know.
You need the deals to keep running.
Don't worry.
We'll make up for the lost time.
[breathes deeply]
[Coach Fong] Since you have a slow start,
you've got to run up to 50
to catch up with the rest.
That's why 200 m
is the best distance for you.
Because there's time for you to catch up.
But you have another issue,
it's your balance.
The 200 m track is curved.
You have to start practicing
from the outer track going inwards.
You have to run towards this line,
turning it into a straight track.
[Coach Fong] It may take longer,
but we need to lessen the curve.
Please try one, sir.
One, two.
One, two.
[Coach Fong] One, two.
One, two.
-[beeps]
-One, two. Again.
Your start has always been
your biggest problem.
Because you're wearing a hearing aid,
you start late.
You're the last to hear the shot.
One, two.
[Coach Fong] One, two.
[fan] One, two, three, smile.
[Coach Fong] If you want to get faster,
then we have to focus on how you start.
Hey.
[woman] Are you So Wa Wai?
-I am.
-Oh, my gosh!
You're even more handsome in person.
Here's a balloon for you.
[Wa Wai] I can't. My fingers are too weak.
Then make them stronger.
You're not a celebrity.
[Coach Fong] For you to catch up,
you have to try methods
you've never done before.
I will train your fingers as well.
Even if the progress
is one-tenth of a second.
[pants]
-[beeps]
-[panting]
Hmm, again.
Look over here, look at my hand.
[photographer] Do you see me?
Lower, stride.
Can you do it higher? Over here. Higher.
Come on, now.
-Lower.
-Higher.
Lower. Faster.
-[photographer] Higher!
-[Coach Fong] Again!
-[photographer] Higher!
-[Coach Fong] Lower!
Lower!
Higher!
[echoes]
Wai.
Come on. One more time.
[Wa Wai] No, I really need to train now.
You would have been done
if you did it right away.
Can he train now?
Do you want him to get in or not?
All right. Fine.
He's coming.
Go on, go ahead.
[whistle blows]
Mrs. So.
Victor, I'm not saying we're not
gonna film the ads.
But Wa Wai's current time is worse
than when he was in Atlanta.
For now, he has to focus on training, huh?
[Victor] I've negotiated these contracts
for you this week.
Take a look at this one.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Just look at the numbers, Mrs. So.
Why are you still hesitating?
This is Wai's most profitable time
right now.
Does he have any plans after retiring?
[somber music]
[Victor] Here in Hong Kong,
it's hard enough for a normal athlete
to support himself after he retires,
let alone someone like Wai.
In helping him earn money.
That's the best way to support him
as his mother.
There's this saying
one that every athlete should know.
"Moment of glory is temporary."
It is not forever.
How can a champion
go around smelling like a tramp?
-Hmm.
-[director 1] Cut!
Good take. Now, for the next scene
[Victor] It's going very well.
By the way, I'm really sorry.
We're a little late because of training.
You call a five hours a little?
Will you be paying our overtime?
Will he show up late for races?
I understand,
but I need to take a break.
Wai, what are you doing, huh?
What happened? Wai?
The director just told me
I was speaking too smoothly,
and I didn't sound like So Wa Wai,
and he told me
that I should stutter on purpose
to sound like someone
who has cerebral palsy.
I don't get it.
Why does he want me to do that?
Yes, but you have to listen to him Wai.
Do what the director asks you to do.
If that's stuttering
or speaking differently
then you have to do it!
Isn't it normally hard for you?
Go on, finish the shoot.
[sighs]
[whistle blows]
Come back.
[Coach Fong] Again.
Press harder.
[whistle blows]
Again.
[Wa Wai panting]
[Coach Fong] One more time.
Wai!
What's the matter?
I just wanna run, I don't wanna keep
practicing this way!
Fine, then quit!
Forget it!
I've been trying to help you!
But it's only ever your way, not mine!
How long are you going to
keep wasting my time?
I know that the only thing I need to do
is to keep looking forward,
and not I'm looking at that!
Yes, I know I starts slow, I get it.
But that's exactly why I sprint
so that I can catch up
with everybody else!
Catching up was the story of my life!
[dramatic music]
[crickets chirping]
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai.
The interview that has been scheduled
by Victor was moved to tomorrow.
[Wa Wai] I have training tomorrow.
[Mrs. So] No problem.
Then we'll just take a leave
from the Sports Institute.
[Wa Wai] Why would I?
But I need the training, Mama!
All right then.
I'll just tell Victor to reschedule it.
I thought I only needed to do it once.
Why do I keep getting more?
Just be patient, Wa Wai,
there's only a few left.
Hang in there.
Ma, I just really wanna run.
[sighs]
Wa Wai.
You can't run your entire life.
After shooting these,
you'll get a few more hundred grand.
It's worth it to run less.
Run a bit less?
Back then when I skip the lap
it wasn't fine.
Now you're saying it's enough!
Wai.
Now, you're telling me everything is okay.
[Mrs. So] The key is with me.
[somber music]
[director] Cut!
Let's watch the playback.
[crew] Okay, playback!
Excuse me, is there an outlet
where I could charge my cell phone?
You may use that one.
[director] Moving on to the next sequence.
This is okay. We're ready
for the next scene.
What happened? Did you find Wai?
My phone battery just died.
The next scene we're filming is Wa Wai's.
Yes, yes, okay.
-Mrs. So.
-Huh?
Mrs. So, you have to talk to him.
If he does not show up to the shoot,
they will sue me for sure.
And you'll have to pay too.
All right then.
Maybe he's just stuck in traffic.
As soon as my phone's charged,
I'll call him, right away.
[Mr. Lau] Please find him.
For both our sakes.
[panting]
Fifty-eight times.
What do you mean 58?
That's how many times
your mama's tried calling.
Mrs. So wants you to earn more money
because she cares about you.
[nail clips]
What if you tell Victor
that it's all right for me
to stand in for you?
-It would solve all my problems.
-[Gill blabbers]
Oh, you know what, Gill, there's
there's this one guy
who wanted me to do a starting pose,
and then he kept trying to tell me
to turn my head up
and look higher and higher.
I said how could I possibly do that?
-He kept--
-[Mrs. So] Wai!
Did I get you a phone
for the ringtone, huh?
-[Gill] Go on. Wai, go on.
-Why didn't you answer my calls?
Stay where you are!
Do you know that we waited for you
for eight hours?
-Mrs. So--
-We will owe a lot of money
-if you don't shoot the ad!
-Have some water first.
You talk to him!
What reason would he have to listen?
Maybe he'll listen to his girlfriend
if not to me!
Will you stop saying
ridiculous things, Ma!
You've always hidden your feelings,
kept them locked up inside.
I'll tell her if you won't.
He's always seen you
as someone special to him.
You've never had a boyfriend, right?
Not one in ten years.
My son is a good man,
why don't you like him?
Well, ma'am
He doesn't have what I'm looking for.
[soft music]
There are just certain things
that I would rather keep to myself
before anyone else finds out.
Why did you have to say that?
But I was helping you!
Yeah, but you're not helping.
You just want to control me.
I just want you to find someone
who cut your toenails for you.
I don't need others to cut them for me.
I can do it myself!
You'll got them yourself?
All right, go ahead.
Show me right now. Show me!
For over ten years, you have won
so many gold medals from running.
I've told myself, "My son is a genius."
That my son is an extraordinary boy.
But after this Paralympics,
will you still be able to run?
A time will come when no one
will remember who you are.
Who will look after you
when your father and I are gone?
Will you be content with the subsidies?
I'll be a courier again.
But your friend helped you.
Otherwise, who would hire you?
Anyone would prefer a normal person
over someone like you.
You're just like them, you never really
treated me like a normal person.
Since I was little, you've treated me
like a handicapped.
Even with my brother, you only had him
because I was handicapped.
You had me run because I'm handicapped,
and you accepted all these advertisements
for me because I'm handicapped.
I can only imagine how hard it is
to be handicapped.
And it's just as difficult for me
to keep being your mother.
From the very day you were born,
I was blamed for you.
When I sent you to train,
your father asked me
why I was forcing you to run in the race.
When you couldn't walk,
I forced you to walk.
And they would keep judging at all.
"What on earth were you thinking,
can't you see your son is crying?"
Wa Wai!
You have never been blamed
for the way you are, right?
I shouldered all that blame.
[sobbing]
[sobs, sniffles]
Mama.
[sobbing]
[dramatic music]
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai couldn't even walk
when he was younger.
Who would've thought
that he would turn out
to be an Olympic champion one day?
Turns out, nothings impossible
once you put your mind to it.
Even if you're slow in the beginning,
you can still win.
[man in ad] I believe
in Seon Bon Insurance.
[Mrs. So] I bought some wine.
Coach Fong.
Take this with you to Beijing.
You could have given it to me tomorrow.
I won't be there tomorrow.
What's going on?
[Mrs. So] Take care of him for me.
[Coach Fong] Wa Wai is an adult now.
He doesn't need anyone to look after him.
On the track, it's very simple.
Just keep going forward
and you won't get lost.
But in life it's different.
[sobbing]
[Coach Fong] Right now it is you
who Wa Wai needs the most.
Coach Fong.
What do you think about Wai,
is he extraordinary?
[Mrs. So] I believe in him.
If he says he can,
he can do it.
[male announcer] Much to everyone's
surprise and disappointment
Hong Kong's front-runner So Wa Wai
only came in third place in 12.38 seconds.
[male announcer] The men's T36 400 m race
is about to commence.
All participating athletes are ready
at their starting mark.
The crowd favorite, So Wa Wai,
had a rough start in the 100 m run
placing only in third place.
Let's see if he's able to warm up
and have a much better performance
later on.
[crowd cheering]
[female announcer] Men's 400 m T36.
[male announcer] On your mark.
Set
[gunshot]
[male announcer] The race had begun
and everyone started out strong.
At lane number four the aggressive
Zheng Hai Feng from China.
He's already overtaking Ukraine's
Viktor Buka at the first 100 m curve.
Russia is closing in at third place,
meanwhile, Hong Kong's champion So Wa Wai
is still lagging behind
in the first 200 m.
Unsure if he can catch up in the end.
Looking at the final 100,
Zheng Hai Feng
is definitely speeding through
leaving the rest by a mile
crossing the finish line
with 54.14 seconds.
Ukraine takes home the silver,
and Russia gets the bronze.
[male announcer on TV]
So Wa Wai only came in sixth.
He's probably just as surprised
by his shocking performance today.
[dramatic music]
[breathing deeply]
[Mrs. So] I told you,
the plastic bag doesn't work.
Instead of crying hard, run hard.
[Mrs. So] Don't worry,
everything's gonna be fine.
Don't be afraid.
You'll fail if you are.
But I am a failure.
I've lost two races already.
Exactly.
Why are you scared?
-Ma.
-Hmm?
Do you have any idea
why Jack runs faster than a train?
It's because
He's got a Wonder Ma.
That's enough.
[chuckling]
If it's wasn't for Wonder Boy,
there wouldn't be a Wonder Ma.
Oh
[chuckles]
Wa Wai.
You may walk slower than others,
but you run faster than all of them.
On your ma.
Set, go.
-On your ma.
-On your ma.
-Set.
-Set.
-Go.
-Go.
-On your ma.
-On your ma.
-Set.
-Set.
-Go.
-Go.
-On your ma!
-On your ma!
-Set, go!
-Set, go!
[both] On your ma!
[both] Set, go!
[lively music]
[crowd cheering]
It's time now, Wonder Boy.
You got this.
[crowd cheering]
Hey, Wai.
Do you know when you look the coolest?
[chuckles]
No.
[uplifting music]
-Wai!
-Wai!
-Wai!
-Wa Wai!
[crowd cheering]
[cheering continues]
[muffled cheering]
[silence]
[Mrs. So] When you start running,
imagine Mama watching you
at the finish line.
[sentimental music]
Get up!
[Mrs. So] Wa Wai.
You may walk slower than others,
but you run faster than all of them.
I want to run faster.
I will always be there for you.
[Mrs. So] On your ma.
Set.
Go.
[uplifting music]
Faster! Faster!
I know I can do this, Ma.
Trust your mama, you will love this.
I'm going to win lots and lots and lots
of gold medals just for you.
[uplifting music]
[uplifting music continues]
Yes!
He did it!
[Kin Wai] Wa Wai won, Grandpa. He won!
[all cheering]
Wai!
Aah!
Yes! You won, Wa Wai, you're incredible!
[uplifting music]
[soft piano music]
AT THE 2008 BEIJING PARALYMPICS
200 M T36 FINALS,
SO WA WAI BROKE HIS OWN
WORLD RECORD AT 24.65 SECONDS.
HE'S STILL THE CURRENT PARALYMPIC
RECORD HOLDER IN THIS CATEGORY.