Li Yuehua (1st R) leads visually impaired athletes walking back to their dormitory after training in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 9, 2025. In 2004, judo coach Li Yuehua, a former professional judo athlete, funded a blind judo training team, recruiting visually impaired athletes for free. To improve training conditions, she invested most of her salary into the team's daily operations and mortgaged her own property to establish the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha. Most athletes, some as young as teenagers, live in dormitories rented by Li. Serving as coach, team medic, and assistant, Li provides support for both training and daily life, earning her the affectionate nickname "Mama Coach."
In 2024, Liu Li and Shi Yijie, athletes from the blind judo team coached by Li, won gold medals in different categories in judo at the Paris Paralympic Games. "This achievement is the result of the athletes' hard work and years of persistence. My life revolves around them every day, and I will continue this journey," Li said. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (3rd R) talks with an athlete at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (R) encourages athletes at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (2nd R) talks with athletes at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (2nd L) talks with athletes at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (R) helps Shi Yijie with relaxation after training at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua dries the cleaned judo uniforms for visually impaired athletes at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (front, 1st L) guides athletes at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (1st L) guides athletes at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (2nd R) makes training plans for athletes preparing to participate in the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua poses for a photo at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (C) has a meal with visually impaired athletes at their dormitory in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (R) handles competition registration matters for athletes at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
Li Yuehua (L) guides an athlete at the Chaohui sports training center for people with disabilities in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Oct. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)
