The crowd erupted in cheers as 11-year-old Li Junhao tossed aside his crutches and launched into an electrifying breakdance routine using only his upper body strength at a recent dance competition in east China's Anhui Province.
Born with congenital muscular dystrophy, Li has undergone four corrective surgeries since infancy to address muscle atrophy and joint deformities in his lower limbs. His triumphant April performance marked his return to the stage after a year-long hiatus for medical treatment.
"I was nervous with so many people watching. My teacher choreographed for me to enter with crutches, then throw them away and start my floor moves," he recalled.
Diagnosed at birth, Li began rehabilitation at age one. Though he now wears orthopedic shoes and requires ongoing therapy, his passion for breakdancing, which was discovered serendipitously in 2022, has become his physical and emotional outlet.
Li's resilience stems from his parents' unwavering support. His father, Li Zhan, has congenital visual impairment, while mother Bian Deqin lives with limb disabilities. The couple runs a massage therapy parlor while nurturing their son's talents.
In May 2022, a customer came to Li Zhan's shop. He was Qiu Yu, who later became Li Junhao's street dance teacher. "I went to Junhao's parents' shop once when I didn't feel so well. I met him there for the first time and immediately saw breakdancing's potential for him after chatting with his parents. The floor-focused style allows creativity without standing. So I encouraged him to give it a try," Qiu said.
Li almost fell in love with dancing instantly and became fully devoted to practicing. Qiu developed customized training focusing on upper-body strength for him and Li kept pushing his limits during the practices.
"Sometimes I couldn't do the moves as my classmates did. But I'm fine with it, no pressure. I can dance however I want. Because of my legs, I cannot play basketball or football. Street dance is my only sport option, and I love it," Li said.
Li usually practices up to six hours daily on weekends, mastering a number of tricky moves.
"I practiced one move, Thomas flare, for over a year. I started practicing it in 2023 and it wasn't until March 2024 that I finally mastered it and truly understood how to do it. It is through practice day after day that my dreams can come true," the boy said.
Though aware of his physical limitations, Li dreams big: "Nowadays, street dance has been included in the Asian Games, and then you can represent your country to participate in competitions abroad. Although I may not become a professional dancer, I have confidence. If I don't practice, it will be 100-percent impossible, but if I practice, I might be able to do it."
His efforts have earned recognition, including Top 32 at Chuzhou National Breakdance Invitational in 2023, the "Best Performance" at Beijing Disabled Youth Arts Biennale in 2024 and recent qualification through Anhui's breakdance team trials.
The viral video of his performance has drawn nationwide admiration, with many netizens praising the tough boy. Li hopes his story inspires other disabled youths.
"Others might feel inferior if they are like me. But I'm not. I'm cheerful. I also hope that through my performance, I can help more disabled people and make them feel no different from others," Li said.
11-year-old breakdancer with muscular dystrophy inspires China with his moves
