Twelve distinguished youth, outstanding from 157 fine young people, were awarded with Youth Medals yesterday by China Youth Corps (CYC) and 2008 Youth Day Committee. Shu-Ning Tseng is one of them. Zhong-Gui Li, the chairman of final review committee, indicated that there are 676 winners of Youth Medals since 1956.

“I go to the swimming pool twice a day everyday for practice. My coach will communicate with me by writing on the black board. Our learning process takes more efforts than others.” Shu-Ning Tseng, now studying in National Chu-Pei Senior High School, has conquered congenital deaf and honored the nation, making records in swimming competitions. In recognition of her efforts, yesterday she received the CYC Youth Medal.

Shu-Ning Tseng was afraid of water before seven. To resolve this issue, her parents brought her to the swimming pool to see other kids playing in the pool. Ever since, she got interested and started to practice swimming. In 2005, she won the gold medal in 50 meter backstroke in Melbourne Summer Deaflympics with a record of 32.33 seconds and last year, she took the first place trophy in 2007 World Deaf Swimming Championships, producing a record of 32.23 seconds in 50 meter backstroke. Currently Shu-Ning Tseng is still the record holder of the World Deaf Swimming Championships in backstroke.

Shu-Ning Tseng said that, other than swimming practice, she also has to manage to keep up with schoolwork, which is a great challenge both mentally and physically. She even thought of giving up sometimes because of the pressure. “I am going to Kuwait for Asia Pacific Swimming Championships next month!"