Man pursues dream despite 3 amputations

He Yiyi

He Yiyi who has his left leg amputated made it back to the soccer field after years of efforts, the Shenzhen Evening News reported yesterday.

He was diagnosed with bone cancer at 12 and lost his left leg after an amputation.

Born in Shanwei in 1996, He started playing soccer at 5 and always dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. Now, He is a professional disabled athlete and an amateur soccer player.

“No matter how hard it is, I will carry on because soccer has already become a part of my life,” said He.

In 2006, he began to receive professional training with Shenzhen soccer team.

Two years later, when he was about to head to France for professional training and a potential contract under the invitation of a French soccer scout, He was diagnosed with bone cancer. In the following years, He had to stay in the hospital for chemotherapy. He underwent an amputation after 12 cycles of chemotherapy, which turned out ineffective.

He lost almost his entire leg.

He had two other amputations for dead tissues and muscles after he got injured during recovery.

He never gave up. After three years of recovery, He joined the Guangdong Disabled Person’s Federation Track and Field team. At the ninth National Paralympic Games in 2015, He became the champion in the long jump, and earned second place in the 100m and third place in the 200m at the T42 level.

Finally, after much effort, He is able to easily control a soccer ball on the field. He said, “Playing on the soccer field again makes me so excited.”