Talking Balls: Paralympic Glory, Yao Saves The Animals & Sports Shorts

The Olympics is dead, long live the Paralympics. China took the first gold of the Games and sit atop the medal table after day two. Well done to Zhang Cuiping for shooting things better than her international rivals. Here is more on her story. Thanks, China Daily.

Li Na has been knocked out of the US Open by Britain's Laura Robson.

Yao Ming is saving the world. He's started with the animals. First, the Shanghai Sharks owner has lent his likeness to a billboard that says shark's fin soup is not cool.

He's also been to Africa to film a documentary called The End of Wild. He's been writing a blog about his adventures there. Here is a picture of the big man with a big cat.

Yao Ming has popped up in this China Daily editorial about "Sports icons who lead a change." Read it. It is boss.

The World Health Store announced the winners of this year's 12-week Challenge. Sadly, our boss was not among the mentions. You can see some scantily clad men and women here.

Jinan police have stated that the death of football commentator Tao Wei is not suspicious. The local plod were not swayed by Weibo comment calling foul on the Bundesliga shotcaller's demise. One-nil to die Polizei.

Game one of the AFL version of the China Cup took place today. Get down to The Stumble Inn to see if Beijing beat Shanghai. The rematch is coming up soon down south.

Beijing Guoan did what we'll want the Beijing Bombers to do – they went to Shanghai and won 1-0 in a smash-and-grab raid. Here's a match report from Wild East Football. The WEF boys also have this article on the existence of grassroots football in Beijing.

Photos: China Daily, China Daily & Save Our Seas