The city of Wuhai in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a city of extraordinary beauty and contrasts, where the majestic sand dunes of the desert give way to the bustling waterfalls of the Yellow River. But for one person, the Ulan-Bukh desert will become an arena in which he will challenge his own capabilities.
Wang Yonghai lost his leg in a car accident when he was 19 years old. Once, by sheer chance, he found a para-cyclist training taking place near his home. Inspired by what he saw, Wang decided to train and subsequently became a regular participant in cycling competitions for people with disabilities.
Wang Yonghai was a member of the PRC national cycling team from 2001 to 2011 and participated in numerous domestic and international cycling races that brought him 6 gold medals and many other awards. At the 7th National Paralympic Games, he took the "gold" in the race for 5 km. In 2007, Wang participated in the international parasport championships held by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in Colombia and ranks third in importance among the LC3 category races.
After leaving the national team, Van decided not to stop there. He took part in the Qinghai Lake Tour 2013 along with athletes without physical limitations, and completed the distance in 13 days. With his strength of mind, he struck the whole country and was awarded the "Best Athlete with Disabilities 2013" award by the Chinese television company CCTV Sports. In 2016, he traveled 2, 160 km in 18 days along the Sichuan-Tibet highway, finishing at the Potala Palace and becoming the first disabled cyclist to successfully overcome the most difficult journey between the provinces.
But the main test for Wang will be the desert crossing at the international cycling championship in Wuhai, which starts on August 26. As part of this cycling competition organized by the China Randonners Club (ROCn) under the auspices of the Paris Audax Club (ACP), athletes have to overcome a grueling 200-kilometer stretch, which will take them at least 13 hours to complete.
