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Zoey Zhang

A basketball player who was once dubbed China’s most handsome athlete, but was left partially paralysed after three operations, has inspired fans with his optimism.
Wu Zhonghua, 29, from Liaoning province in northeastern China, is a former national-level basketball player and fitness coach.
Despite being born into a poor rural family, Wu’s impressive athletic talent led him to a top Chinese sports university, according to NetEase News.
He was given the title of China’s most handsome athlete by his fans because of his 188cm height, impressive physique and striking good looks.
In November 2014, he was diagnosed with a malignant tumour, leading to his first craniotomy surgery.

Three months after the operation, Wu returned to college and implemented a strict rehabilitation plan, determined to regain his athletic abilities.
But two years later, his condition worsened and he underwent a second craniotomy, which left him with severe complications.
Wu lost the hearing in his left ear, experienced diminishing vision in his right eye and suffered weakness in his limbs.
In 2022, his condition further deteriorated, and he needed surgery again.
This time, Wu was left with hemiplegia, a paralysis on one side of his body and face, slurred speech and an unsteady gait.
He shared before-and-after video of his illness on Douyin that showed the once slam-dunk star now struggling to dribble a basketball. The former model for fashion magazines also had a contorted and expressionless face.
Wu began documenting his journey from wheelchair to standing and living independently, aiming to encourage others with similar experiences not to blame themselves.
“Although I lost a life many envied, I gained the chance to continue living in this world,” he said.
With a titanium implant in his skull, Wu can no longer engage in intense physical activity, but he remains motivated by his love of basketball.
In April last year he fulfilled a dream by stepping onto a Chinese Basketball Association court, where he had a photo taken with his idol, Guo Ailun, the point guard of the Chinese men’s national basketball team.
A therapist told Wu that his facial paralysis will improve but he will not fully recover his former looks.
“My features were once handsome and are now distorted, I accept this with calmness,” said Wu.

He said he thinks that many young people are too fragile and easily break down emotionally.
“By sharing my experience, I hope to show that even in such adversity, you should cherish life, not complain, and not give up,” he said.
The resilient and optimistic athlete has inspired many on mainland social media.
“You once stood at the pinnacle of life and fell to its lowest because of illness. But this journey has made you a true warrior,” one online observer said on Douyin.
Others shared personal stories: “I am 38 years old now and I had a craniotomy for moyamoya disease, you give me hope to live,” said one person.


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