'I won't die a boring death, but I will make a big smash,' says 'The Butterfly Lady' of Paralympic table tennis
CNN
She wears dozens of butterfly clips in her hair -- each unique in size and color. Her clothes and table tennis paddle case are decorated with vibrant butterfly wing designs. Her wheelchair is lined with butterfly stickers. Even her nails pay homage to the insect, sparkling like butterfly wings.
No wonder the 73-year-old Paralympic legend Kimie Bessho is known as "The Butterfly Lady." For Bessho, these accessories symbolize happiness and represent one of her favorite tactics: flicking a table tennis ball and allowing it to gracefully kiss the top of net before swiftly dropping onto the opponent's side. Just like a butterfly, the shot is elusive and unpredictable.More Related News
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