Zero to Hero

ZERO TO HERO tells the story of So Wa Wai (Chung-Hang Leung), a Hong Kong man born with cerebral palsy and severe hearing loss who goes on to become a medal-winning Paralympian. After So Wa Wai's birth, doctors tell his mother that it will be difficult, if not impossible, for him to walk, and it will also be difficult for him to communicate and comprehend those around him, and will require a lifetime of help in terms of day-to-day care. His mother is more than up for the challenge, taking on multiple jobs to make ends meet, and working to make sure than So Wa Wai always lives up to his fullest potential. After outrunning a gang of bullies in their apartment building So Wa Wai's mother takes him to the local running track to meet with the coach of a squad of runners with disabilities. The coach initially dismisses her and So Wa Wai because he's too young, but is soon impressed by his natural talents when he runs around the track. The coach pushes So Wa Wai to the limit, and in due time, So Wa Wai competes in the 1996 Paralympic games in Atlanta, and wins the gold. While this victory brings wide recognition and national glory, So Wa Wai's mother tells the sports press that it's time to provide "equal pay for equal work," as winning Paralympians were paid paltry sums by the government relative to Olympic winners. After continued victories, So Wa Wai's career is derailed after his father suffers an accident that leaves him in the hospital for several months, and so So Wa Wai tries to work as a courier. In anticipation of the 2008 Paralympic Games, So Wa Wai is back to practicing and competing to win, but must balance this with the endorsement deals his mother has arranged for him so he no longer must work as a courier, and she won't have to work four part-time jobs to provide for the family. Approaching the starting line at the 2008 Games, So Wa Wai knows that this may be his last time to set world records and win the gold.