Introducing Zhang Hong! Blind Origin China Who Conquered Mount Everest

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Zhang Hong, a 46-year-old man from China managed to conquer the highest peak in the world from the Nepalese side, Mount Everest. With this achievement, Zhang Hong became the first blind man in Asia and the third in the world to succeed.

"It doesn't matter whether we have a disability or normal, whether we lose sight or have no legs or arms, it doesn't matter as long as we have strong will, we can always accomplish something that other people are unable to do," Zhang told Reuters. via Antara, Sunday, May 30.

Zhang made it to the 8,849-meter Himalayas on May 24 - accompanied by three guides - and returned to base on Thursday, May 27.

He was born in Chongqing City, China. Zhang lost his sight at the age of 21 due to glaucoma.

He was inspired by Erik Weihenmayer, a blind American climber who also reached Everest in 2001, and began training with his guide Qiang Zi.

Nepal reopened Mount Everest to foreign tourists in April after closing it last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I still feel really scared, because I can't see where I'm going, and I can't find my center of gravity, so sometimes I'll fall over," she said.

"But I kept thinking because even though it's hard, I have to face these difficulties, this is one component of climbing, there are difficulties and dangers and this is what climbing is all about."