Blind judo athlete Liu Li wins gold at Hunan disabled persons’ games

Competing at the Yiyang competition venue, Liu secured the victory on the mat and reflected on her journey from a visually impaired child to an international competitor. Records show she captured her first provincial title at the age of 12, an achievement that left her unable to sleep from excitement. Speaking after her latest win, Liu addressed younger athletes facing difficult circumstances by advising them not to be afraid of dark environments, noting that if the world lacks light, one must strive to seek it and become the light itself.

Early Years and Path to the Mat

Born in October 1998 in Xihu Village, Yueluping Town, Yuelu District, Changsha, Liu was born with a congenital visual impairment. After losing her parents at ages eight and nine, she grew up alongside her grandmother and older sister. In September 2008, she enrolled in the blind students department at the Changsha Special Education School.

Her entry into the sport followed the establishment of a judo hall supported by the Changsha Disabled Persons’ Federation. A physical education teacher recommended her for the sport, leading to her integration into coach Li Yuehua’s training system. Blind judo requires athletes to compete barefoot and empty-handed, relying entirely on gripping, tactile feedback, and center-of-gravity shifts to interpret an opponent’s movements. Li Yuehua explained that because visually impaired athletes cannot see attacks, coaches demonstrate techniques by having athletes touch joints and feel angles for repeated imitation. Matches demand rapid initiation, precise distance control, and high explosive power.

For a young Liu, mat friction, throwing techniques, and ground grappling were skills learned purely through touch. Blood blisters on her hands and calluses on her feet quickly became routine parts of daily training.

Rise to National and International Prominence

In 2010, at the 8th Disabled Persons’ Games of Hunan Province, a 12-year-old Liu competed in the women’s 48kg division and won her first provincial gold medal. She recalled that the victory made her so happy she wanted to sleep and eat with the medal.

The Hunan Provincial Blind Judo Team was established in 2012 under coach Li Yuehua, bringing Liu together with teammates such as Zhu Shiwen and Shi Yijie for intensive daily training. As her career progressed from youth to adult competition, Liu moved up to the 70kg weight class, expanding her technical repertoire to include techniques such as top-four-corner hold, side throws, and ground pressure controls while relying strictly on tactile anticipation.

Her international resume expanded significantly in 2023. Records show she won gold in the J1-70kg category at the World Judo Grand Prix in Baku, Azerbaijan, finished first in the same division at the World Games in the United Kingdom, and claimed the title at the National Blind Judo Championships. On October 24, 2023, she won the women’s J1-70kg gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, securing China’s second gold in the discipline.

Mental Resilience and Mentorship

Throughout high-intensity competitions, Liu developed a pragmatic approach to injuries, stating that athletes view physical setbacks as commonplace while fearing most that they will be unable to compete and represent the country. Mental preparation remains critical in blind judo, where competitors cannot read scoreboards visually and must depend on coach gestures, verbal cues, and internal rhythm.

During the 12th Disabled Persons’ Games of Hunan Province—which gathered approximately 700 athletes across 14 cities and prefectures in September 2026—Liu represented Changsha and returned to the top of the podium. Having transitioned from a young competitor to an established champion, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a steady mindset and passing her experience, composure, and resilience on to the next generation of visually impaired athletes in the sport.