Fan Liang of China sets a world record to win gold in the final of the men's discus throw F53/54, September 14, 2008. [Agencies]

If 50, as they say, is the new 30, Fan Liang was rocking at the Bird's Nest September 14, 2008.

The veteran Chinese thrower and defending Paralympic champion in the men's discus throw F53/54 secured his gold early - on his second record-breaking throw of 31.08m, passing up the remainder of his six throws.

It was more than enough to send Serbian Drazenko Mitrovic down a step on the podium, forcing the Athens silver medalist Toshie Oi to settle for bronze.

And who is 50-year-old Fan's inspiration? Oi of Japan - a long-time rival as well as a role model.

"I'm not old at all. My rival Oi is already 60," said Fan. "I will learn from him and stay in the sport until I am 60."

Yesterday, Fan explained his confidence after his record-breaking throw - and his plans for 2012.

"My throw was considerably farther than other athlete's, so it didn't make sense for me to make any more throws," said Fan. "I want to leave some room to improve for the next Paralympics."

Fan lost normal use of both his legs at the age of two due to illness. But it wasn't until after his 29th birthday that he picked up sport.

"I watched a sporting event for people with a disability on TV. Their fighting spirit inspired me, and I thought I could also achieve the same results," Fan recalled.

He went to a sports bureau in his hometown in Shaanxi province and soon started training. At the 2002 Far East and South Pacific Games for People with a Disability, he grabbed a gold each in shot put, discus and javelin.

At the Athens Paralympics two years later, he won gold in discus, setting a Paralympic record.

"At the beginning, I just considered training as physical exercise," said Fan. "Now, I love to compete."

And he is happy to "live actively".