Shi Yijie, a 2000-born Chinese Paralympic judoka, secured China’s first gold medal in Paralympic judo at the 2024 Paris Games. Competing in the women’s J1-57kg category, Shi defeated her opponent with a decisive “ippon” victory 1 minute and 48 seconds into the final match. Her performance in Paris marked the culmination of over a decade of training, earning her a “Great Merit” award from the Hunan Provincial People’s Government.
From Hunan to the Paralympic Podium
Born in 2000 into a family of coal miners in Yongxing, Chenzhou, Shi Yijie experienced a rapid decline in her vision at age 10. By age 13, she was blind. Her transition into competitive sports began in September 2013, when her mother brought her to the Changsha Blind Judo Team. Coach Li Yuehua accepted her into the program, setting Shi on a path that would lead her to international competition.
Shi’s training regimen was rigorous. She practiced in the Changsha facility, often starting her day with drills at 6:00 a.m. and maintaining a schedule that allowed for only five rest days per year. To improve her strength, she frequently requested additional sparring sessions with male teammates. She avoided letting her mother visit the training center, preferring to hide the physical toll of her training, which often left her body covered in bruises.
Breaking Through in Paris
Reflecting on her experience in the sport, Shi has stated that while she cannot see her opponents, she can hear the sound of her own success. “I cannot see my opponent, but I can hear the sound of my winning,” she noted. “The world in front of me is dark, but there is light in my heart.”
Production of the Youth Changsha Audio Series
The story of Shi’s journey was adapted into a radio drama series. The production, supported by the 2026 Changsha Literary and Artistic Creation Project, chronicles her transition from a young girl facing vision loss to an elite athlete. The creative team included general planner Liu Xue, artistic director Xiao Li, and screenwriter Chen Lang.
The radio drama features voice acting by Xiong Manxuan as Shi Yijie and Li Lina as her coach, Li Yuehua, among others. The production uses sound design by Shen Jun to recreate the environment of the judo mat. The project serves as part of a series intended to document figures in the Changsha sports community.
A Decade of Competitive Progression
Shi’s rise to the Paralympic stage followed a progression through domestic and international circuits. Her major results include:
- 2019: First national title at the National Para Games.
- 2021: Second national gold medal.
- 2023: Three world Grand Prix victories and an Asian Para Games gold medal.
- 2024: Gold medal at the Paris Paralympic Games.
With her victory in Paris, Shi Yijie holds a “Great Merit” citation from the Hunan provincial authorities.
Worth a look
