Born with cerebral palsy, Li Zhangyu overcame early challenges with remarkable resilience. Diagnosed at the age of two, he faced difficulties coordinating his movements, often falling while learning to ride his first bicycle at five. Instead of giving up, Li persevered, making bicycles his steadfast \"partner.\" 🚲✨
Li's dedication led him to local para-cycling competitions, where his talent began to shine. In 2008, his skills caught the attention of coaches, setting him on the path to professional cycling.
Becoming a professional cyclist meant constantly battling his physical limitations, but Li remained undeterred. He committed to rigorous training, cycling over 100 kilometers daily to enhance his performance.
His outstanding performances at national tournaments earned him a spot on the national team in 2010. Since then, Li has consistently excelled on the international stage, winning consecutive gold medals in track cycling at the London, Rio, and Tokyo Paralympics. 🥇🥇🥇
On Thursday, at 36 years old, Li broke the world record and won China's first gold medal at the Paris Paralympics in the men’s C1 3,000m individual pursuit, continuing his remarkable career.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that people with disabilities are equal members of society and an important force in the development of human civilization. Since the 18th Communist Party of China National Congress, China, under Xi's leadership, has embraced the principle of \"putting people at the center\" and integrated para-sports into national strategies like Building a Sports Powerhouse and Healthy China 2030, elevating the development of sports for people with disabilities to new heights. 🌟🇨🇳
