An unlikely champion against all odds

As a new wave of Chinese high school graduates competes to secure spots in top universities by sitting the grueling gaokao, or national college entrance exams, I think of Pang Zhongwang, a student from an underprivileged family in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, who defied all odds to top his city and gain admission to Tsinghua University.

Eight years after his gaokao success, Pang is now a Ph.D. student at his alma mater, aspiring to achieve technological breakthroughs.

Beyond his excellent academic records, I am more impressed by Pang’s character. Those who know him personally unanimously praise his confidence, kindness, perseverance, and positive attitude toward setbacks.

Delving deeper into his story, I am moved by how Pang’s mother shaped him into the person he is today.

Born in a rural village in Cangzhou with congenital spina bifida that led to limb amputation, his mother was wheelchair-bound and married a man with mental illness in her 20s. While most people facing such hardships would complain, drift through life, and feel unhappy, she did not. “Humans should look ahead instead of focusing on the mud at their feet. When faced with a challenge, just tackle it head-on,” she told Pang.

From a young age, Pang learned the wisdom of focusing on what he can change and accepting what he cannot.

He also learned about responsibility from his mother.

At six, Pang needed surgery for his congenital heart disease. To raise the 40,000 yuan (US$5,600) needed for his treatment, the boy wheeled his mother around the village, borrowing money door to door.

Although the sympathetic villagers didn’t expect the family to repay the debt, they managed to pay off all loans within six years — the father took gigs when his health permitted; the mother did sewing; and Pang collected discarded plastic bottles and cardboard to raise money.

When his mother was hospitalized after endless toil, Pang borrowed money again and repaid the debts by taking odd jobs at restaurants.

After his story was featured in the news, Pang turned down donated money from kind-hearted strangers many times. “I know how difficult it is to earn money,” he said. “I’m through the toughest part of my life, and the money can go to those who need it more than I do.”

When Pang’s mother was a child, a doctor predicted she wouldn’t live to 20. “I will try to double that,” she told the doctor. Bolstered by her strong will and advances in medicine, she reached the age of 48.

Pang said he has always admired his mother. “My mom is tough. I wish I could have her courage. When people judge me and give me their verdict, I want to be able to say ‘I will try to double that,’ like Mom.”

On her deathbed, the brave mother admonished her son to “keep up the effort and repay society’s goodwill when you can.”

With that goal inspiring him, Pang said he wishes to focus on scientific research and make a difference in the world.