China News Service, Chengdu, December 16th. Title: The cerebral palsy teenager who won 14 gold medals in the National Special Olympics: Embracing the new identity of the barista and pursuing dreams will never stop
Author Chen Xuanbin Yue Yitong
"If you are not satisfied with the coffee I made, I can make another cup." A few days ago, in a coffee shop with mentally handicapped people as the main employees in Jinjiang District, Chengdu, Huanghaidi, who was mentally disabled, used unskilled services. Words greet the guests.
After removing the aura of the "14 Golden King" swimming event at the Special Olympics National Games (Special Olympics for short), he is now an intern barista in this coffee shop.
In 2015, the 6th National Special Olympics Games was held in Chengdu, and Huang Haidi became a torchbearer at his home.
Photo courtesy of the interviewee
He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after he was born. At the age of 14, he won 3 gold medals in the National Special Olympics for the first time, and won the first gold medal in the swimming event of the 8th National Special Olympics. The "counter-attack life" of a swimming genius.
"I won 3 gold medals in the (Special Olympics) competition for the first time. I'm so happy. I won the honor for Sichuan." Because of the low memory caused by cerebral palsy, Huang Haiti can't remember how many times he participated in the national special. How many gold medals he even won in the Olympic Games, but he still remembers that when he left Sichuan for the first time to participate in the Fifth National Special Olympics in Fujian, he gained an unprecedented sense of recognition and honor.
Since then, Huang Haiti has not been absent from each of the Special Olympics National Games, and he has proved himself with gold medals one after another.
In 2015, the Sixth National Special Olympics Games was held in Chengdu. Huang Haidi became a torchbearer at his doorstep, earning 2 golds and 1 silver. In 2019, he participated in the 7th National Special Olympics and gained 4 golds and 1 silver.
On October 26 this year, at the 8th Special Olympics National Games held in Shaanxi, Huang Haidi won the first place in the men’s 22-29 year-old 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 50.49 seconds and won the swimming event of this Special Olympics. The first gold medal.
Huang Haidi won a total of 5 gold medals in this Special Olympics, bringing its total number of gold medals to 14 in the Special Olympics.
In the eyes of outsiders, Huang Haidi has a tall and burly figure, and is a natural “material” for practicing sports.
But what few people know is that the reason why Huanghaidi became attached to swimming is precisely because of being weak and sick when he was a child.
Huang Haidi’s mother, Gong Zhongxia, recalled that the four or five-year-old Haiti would wrestle after walking a few steps. Seeing the bruises on her child made her feel distressed. “Haiti has been afraid of water since he was a child, but in order to let him balance his balance and lower limbs. If I train well, I still cruelly let him learn to swim with the coach."
In 2021, at the Eighth National Special Olympics Games, Yellow and Haiti won a total of 5 gold medals.
Photo courtesy of the interviewee
After learning to swim at the age of 5, Huang Haidi changed from a "sick seedling" in the eyes of her mother to a "good seedling" in the eyes of the coach.
Gong Zhongxia said that the coach found that he not only had good jumping ability and fast running, but also had a good sense of water after entering the water, especially showing a certain talent in breaststroke.
"Swimming is very good. Swimming is divided into tracks. I won't get hurt." When asked why he loves swimming, Huang Haidi's answer was a bit distressing.
In his opinion, swimming not only made him no longer easy to fall and hurt, but also accompanied him through his childhood when he rarely played with his friends.
Huang Haidi is now working as an intern barista in a coffee shop with mentally handicapped people as its main employees.
Photo by Chen Xuanbin
In November 2018, Huang Haidi successfully passed the assessment and entered the current cafe. Making pastries and making coffee has become his daily work. The mentally handicapped colleagues in the store have also become his good partners.
After Huang Haiti returned from the 8th Special Olympics Games, the partners in the store also specially launched a "big shark croissant" to celebrate him.
"Because they said I was like a big shark when I was swimming, and it was particularly powerful in the water." Huang Haidi said shyly.
In order to let more people know the "golden life" of Huanghaidi and help more people with mental disabilities build confidence in life, the coffee shop manager also invited Huang Haidi to display the gold medals he won in previous National Special Olympics in the store.
Because of the kind smile and love to talk, the tea break service in the store will be arranged in Huanghaidi. He also uses his hard work to earn living and training expenses.
Huanghaidi participated in four consecutive National Special Olympics Games and won a total of 14 gold medals.
Photo by Chen Xuanbin
From a Special Olympics champion to a barista, Huang Haidi has adapted to the change of his identity.
He said: "I like to drink coffee, I also like to make coffee, I am very satisfied to get the approval of the guests."
Will you continue to participate in the National Special Olympics?
Huang Haiti has no answer to this question.
He said that he will continue to practice until he can't swim the game.
"I have finished my work in the coffee shop now, and I will practice swimming when I have time. In the future, I want to practice swimming well, make coffee, and be a qualified barista." (End)