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Xinzhuang's roller-skating septuagenarian
November 27, 2010, Saturday
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EVERY day, seventy-something Du Xueming will show up in the north square of Xinzhuang Metro Station on time. However, what he regularly turns up to do isn't so popular among his age group - roller skating.
Of course, this white-haired man shines among everybody else. When he's roller skating he's just like a young person. Sometimes he skates on one leg and spreads his arms like a flying eagle; sometimes he puts his hands back and bends over like a running deer. Many skillful moves such as cross skating and toe skating are also a piece of cake for him.
"When I put on my roller skates, I totally forget my age," says Du, "and when I skate fast, I just feel like my heart is flying. It's very enjoyable."
Du came from Lanzhou in Gansu Province two years ago with his son. After he found the north square of Xinzhuang Metro station was a good place to roller skate, he arrives there every morning at 6:30am, weather permitting.
"It's a pretty good way for physical exercise," says Du. "Every day I skate from my home to the square, which takes me ten minutes. Then I skate around the square for 60 laps."
In Du's opinion, roller skating makes the heart work well, and keeps blood pressure steady. Besides that, it's also good for his sense of balance.
But how did such an old man get interested in roller skating? It all began with a pair of roller skates.
Several years ago, a friend of Du's mailed a pair of roller skates to him. At first he only wanted to teach his son to use them, but he had to learn how to use them first. He didn't expect that he would become keen on it and pretty soon he couldn't give it up. Later, Du joined a local skating club called "Nine Color Deer" in Lanzhou and learned a lot of skills.
"Now, I will feel very uncomfortable if I don't skate for just one day," says Du.
Many other people are also attracted by this young-hearted man. Some of them become his students, and Du teaches them for free. Du has five regular students who come to the square and skate every morning just like he does, and there are also old people among them.
Although Du skates very well, he always reminds people that roller skating is pretty dangerous for old people, especially for those who have heart trouble or high blood pressure. But what makes him feel warm is that when he's skating, many kind passers-by remind him to be careful.
Du also always reminds his students: if you skate in the station square during rush hour, it will not be a happy experience for both you and commuters.
Of course, this white-haired man shines among everybody else. When he's roller skating he's just like a young person. Sometimes he skates on one leg and spreads his arms like a flying eagle; sometimes he puts his hands back and bends over like a running deer. Many skillful moves such as cross skating and toe skating are also a piece of cake for him.
"When I put on my roller skates, I totally forget my age," says Du, "and when I skate fast, I just feel like my heart is flying. It's very enjoyable."
Du came from Lanzhou in Gansu Province two years ago with his son. After he found the north square of Xinzhuang Metro station was a good place to roller skate, he arrives there every morning at 6:30am, weather permitting.
"It's a pretty good way for physical exercise," says Du. "Every day I skate from my home to the square, which takes me ten minutes. Then I skate around the square for 60 laps."
In Du's opinion, roller skating makes the heart work well, and keeps blood pressure steady. Besides that, it's also good for his sense of balance.
But how did such an old man get interested in roller skating? It all began with a pair of roller skates.
Several years ago, a friend of Du's mailed a pair of roller skates to him. At first he only wanted to teach his son to use them, but he had to learn how to use them first. He didn't expect that he would become keen on it and pretty soon he couldn't give it up. Later, Du joined a local skating club called "Nine Color Deer" in Lanzhou and learned a lot of skills.
"Now, I will feel very uncomfortable if I don't skate for just one day," says Du.
Many other people are also attracted by this young-hearted man. Some of them become his students, and Du teaches them for free. Du has five regular students who come to the square and skate every morning just like he does, and there are also old people among them.
Although Du skates very well, he always reminds people that roller skating is pretty dangerous for old people, especially for those who have heart trouble or high blood pressure. But what makes him feel warm is that when he's skating, many kind passers-by remind him to be careful.
Du also always reminds his students: if you skate in the station square during rush hour, it will not be a happy experience for both you and commuters.
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