Recently we posted a story about how basketball is now the most popular sport in China, surpassing soccer. But 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Qian Hongyan has long been ahead of that trend, as she quite obviously preferred basketball beginning nine years ago.
(Qian has been fortunate enough to avoid dreaded NBA composite balls)
A two-year-old report from CHINA DAILY (via DEADSPIN) has the reason:
The 10 year-old was injured trajically in an auto accident when she was only 3 years old. To insure her survival, the doctors were forced to amputate her legs.
Qian’s family, living in Zhuangxia, China, was unable to afford modern prosthetics and instead used a half a basketball to get around on. Once on the ball she uses two wooden props to help her move around.
The little girl, who is now in training for the 2012 Paralympic Games, has become an inspirational story throughout China.
More pics and video of her after the jump.
As the Asian Paralympic Games approach in a couple years, there’s been several followups to Qian’s story, but the China Daily piece has the relevant background on her life struggles. Thankfully she now has access to modern prosthetics, which apparently she hasn’t adjusted to all that well. She still uses a basketball to get around and prefers a wheelchair otherwise.
She’s one of the top Paralympic swimmers in the world, and one of her coaches made it clear that sports completely changed her once-depressed life outlook.
“She’s one of the best Paralympic swimmers in China for her age, easily world top 10,” said Zhang Honggu, who started the South of the Clouds Swimming Club for the Disabled in Kunming, Yunnan province, where Qian trains.
“She is still fresh to the sport, having barely spent one year in the pool, so we’re not taking any chances with her,” added coach Li Keqiang. “We don’t want to do anything that may damage her confidence.”
When she came to the swimming club, the first of its kind in China, last August, she was “weighed down with sorrow, quiet, and introverted,” said Zhang. “Now she is outgoing and cheerful.”
While Yao Ming has had a lot to do with the rise of basketball popularity in China, I have a sneaking feeling this girl, in a small way, might’ve have had something to do with it too.
She’s also done the impossible: Made me want to root for China in something other than Jackie Chan movies.
8:47 pm on December 23rd, 2008
I can't decide if this is really weird or really cool. I'l go with the latter.
8:49 pm on December 23rd, 2008
Bet she'll really bounce for joy when she wins.
8:58 pm on December 23rd, 2008
She must have some really mad hops.
Seriously, I hope she makes it to the games & wins.
9:10 pm on December 23rd, 2008
Warren Maple Sapp: Let's decide for ya…it's really cool.
My Name Aint Earl: "Bounce for joy?"Aren't you a riot! Maybe you should write for TV…oh that's right, they only pay for funny. Nice hot room reserved for you in Hell, j*ck*ff.
Brooks: Great, but why walk this line? Stick with the hotties and the cool sports covg.
9:12 pm on December 23rd, 2008
This doesn't classify as "cool sports coverage"? Are you nuts? That's the coolest story I've seen since in forever.
9:23 pm on December 23rd, 2008
This is a cool story with a capital C - the ultimate in perseverance.
9:24 pm on December 23rd, 2008
I wonder if Rawlings or Spaulding or some other basketball maker will try to arrange some sponsorship deal with her.
9:35 pm on December 23rd, 2008
Anti-Brooks: "That's the coolest story I've seen since in forever". You said it, I didn't. I see your point, though. I love this little girl and to make fun of her is ridiculous and zero-cool. There but by the grace of God go you.
10:14 am on December 24th, 2008
Good for her. That's how you adopt & adapt.
2:37 pm on December 24th, 2008
Anybody who can make jokes about this poor girl's condition is beyond me.
2:51 pm on December 24th, 2008
Maybe Yao Ming can send a few new basketballs her way.
4:04 pm on December 24th, 2008
Is the basketball waterproof? Or does its buoyancy help or hurt her when she swims?
4:55 pm on December 24th, 2008
Bless her little heart & little basketball-encased backside.
6:21 pm on December 24th, 2008
Does the basketball help or hurt as far as water resistance?
6:31 pm on December 24th, 2008
To get around, does she slide or bounce?
9:13 pm on December 24th, 2008
Brings a whole new definition to the term "ballin". Good luck to her at the games, and yeah, Spaulding should be hooking her up. Would be great to see her on a commercial for them.
4:00 am on December 26th, 2008
We have the technology…..
12:20 pm on December 26th, 2008
The Chinese actually have a heart?