Chinese athlete Qian Zhaolong has found success in both wrestling... and handstands.
As unlikely as that career move may seem, the 24-year-old says he's learned important lessons from practising both disciplines.
And Qian, from Huzhou, Zhejiang, has turned his latest passion into record-breaking success, earning Guinness World Records titles for the most handstand push ups on a half balance ball in 30 seconds (male) with 20 reps and most handstand push ups on a half balance ball in one minute (male) with 30 reps.
Qian's story began at age nine, during a school sports meet in his hometown, where his coordination and explosive power caught a coach's eye. Selected for the city wrestling team, he embarked on a path to professionalism.
"I reckon I had some talent, but it was my love for it that mattered most," he recalls.
His dedication paid off in 2017 when, at 16, he won the 55 kg freestyle wrestling gold at the Zhejiang Provincial Youth Wrestling Championships held at Deqing Sports Center - a career highlight.
But glory came with a price. Years of intense training led to knee cartilage wear and excessive synovial fluid build up, forcing him to retire at 18 in 2019. "Wrestling has a brutal dropout rate," he reflects. "The injury made me leave, but deep down, it felt like I gave up."
Post-retirement, Qian returned to Huzhou facing a low point. "Stepping into the real world, I found it tougher than any match," he admits.
Limited by his leg injury and wrestling with self-doubt, he refused to let his story end there.
In 2020, he transformed his struggle into strength, becoming a fitness coach. "There's a big need for solid guidance out there, and that's my forte," he says, drawing on his wrestling background to help others train smart.
Qian started sharing training tips online, and on 30 August 2022, one video skyrocketed past 10 million views, cementing his status as a fitness influencer.
Beyond personal success, he poured his heart into public welfare. Since June 2022, he's volunteered every Saturday morning with the Huzhou Sports Bureau, coaching Asian Games torchbearers. "Sports isn't just about competition - it can change lives," he realized, finding renewed purpose.
In January 2024, during a solo workout, Qian had a lightbulb moment: why not fuse the instability of a balance ball with the strength of handstand push-ups? Inspired by his childhood awe of the TV programme GWR China Night, he aimed to join the ranks of record holders. "I wanted to be one of those incredible people I watched as a kid," he says.
Starting from scratch, Qian could barely hold a handstand on the ball in January 2024. By March, he managed one push-up; by July, he hit 15. In October, he upped the ante with weighted training, and by early 2025, he was nailing over 30 reps in a minute.
But it wasn't smooth sailing - wrist strain and shoulder pain sidelined him for over 10 days. "I was practically living at the hospital for acupuncture," he chuckles, crediting rehab and loved ones for keeping him going.
"If I backed down, I'd never find the real me."
To ensure credibility, Qian enlisted national referees Ge Jun, Xu Yunlong, and Fei Zongli, sports instructor Ding Tianyu, and wrestling star Yang Jiajun as witnesses. "This was my shot at redemption - I couldn't run away anymore," he told himself.
After warming up and meditating, he nailed every push-up with precision. As the final rep landed, applause broke out - he'd done it. "I held my breath 'til the refs gave the nod," he grins, immediately calling his junior teammate. "I made it."
"Wrestling taught me to stand firm; handstands showed me how to embrace the fall," Qian muses. Despite his leg injury, his upper body now outshines his wrestling peak, with a 3% drop in body fat and top-notch bone density.
"Limits aren't the end - they're where you reshuffle your strengths," he says. Once his "battle sword", his legs became a burden, but handstands rebuilt his confidence from the ground up. "Real athletes don't need a fancy stage. I've held my honour with my hands."
Qian's not stopping here. He plans to blend sports disciplines to create more fresh Guinness World Records titles, driven by a fearless mindset: "I don't see enemies, just chances to outdo myself. True champs focus on breaking their own barriers, not beating others."
His journey proves that when life knocks you down, you can still rise - even if it's on your hands.
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