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October 30, 2012

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Basketball prodigy catches Yao Ming's eye

AN eight-year-old boy can beat former NBA player Yao Ming in the basketball match?

Of cause you will never believe it. Well, this is true in a popular TV commercial.

The boy who blocks the shot over the head of the basketball star is a Jiading District native Sun Yahui.

Though it's just a commercial, Sun is a good basketball player, who also earned praise from Yao.

"Well, look at him. I can't even remember what I was doing when I was eight," Yao said.

Sun started to play basketball at the age of five, though at the beginning his father only wanted to help his son build a strong physique.

"He was diagnosed with anemia and the doctor suggested he exercise," said Sun's father Sun Tao.

The father then took his son out to jog, jump, play soccer and basketball.

After three months, the anemia disappeared and the boy was hooked on sports, especially basketball.

Sun Yahui would watch a basketball match quietly in front of the TV and skillfully imitate various moves made by the professionals.

"My intuition told me my son has a special talent," his father said.

The father himself trained the boy for two hours every day regardless of the weather. Within less than one year, Sun Yahui made great progress. After having taught him all he knew, Sun Tao sent his son to the city's professional training team.

Soon Sun Yahui stood out from his peers. He was selected by Li Qiuping, Yao's first basketball coach, who is dedicated to teaching young players.

The youngster survived some injuries and is now a key player on the team.

At the boy's home, there are basketballs everywhere. On the balcony, a big string bag holds more than 20 basketballs. In the corridor, a mini basketball hoop is hung on wall. The family's computer has hundreds of video clips of basketball matches.

He trains hard on weekends and also studies hard on weekdays.

Sun Yahui's academic performance is always among the top in his class. During the summer and winter holidays, he is busy with basketball practices and matches.

As Sun Yahui is coming to the fore, some teams from other districts wanted to poach him with generous offers but all were refused definitely by his dad.

"He is a Jiading kid, of course he should win honor for his hometown," said Sun Tao, proudly.

The second-grader has already played for the Jiading Youth Basketball Team and reaped many awards.


 

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