This article first appeared on http://www.asiaone.com . The original can be read here .
by TAN YINGZI
Xia Boyu, 70, the first Chinese double amputee to reach the summit of Mount Everest - the highest mountain in the world - was awarded the Touching Chongqing Awards recognising the city's most inspiring role models in 2019 on Jan 5.
Photo credit: China Daily/Asian News Network
Xia, born in southwest China's Chongqing in 1949, made his dream come true by reaching the top of the Everest in May 2018 after four failed attempts.
He was chosen by the Chinese mountaineering team in 1974 when he was working at a foundry.
In 1975, during China's second expedition to the summit of Everest, Xia suffered severe frostbite in his legs, which had to be amputated at the knees. All his teammates eventually reached the top.
But he did not give up. With artificial limbs, he started his preparations for the ascent of Mt Everest again.
"The most important thing in the world is persistence," he said. "A man with no legs like me can reach the summit of Everest, so what else is impossible?"
His journey still continues. He is planning to climb peaks on all seven continents and explore the South and North Poles.