Dergin Tokmak - The UltimateFatBurner Blog

Dergin Tokmak

Today, CBS News posted a short article on German dancer Dergin Tokmak… who is an amazing athlete! Stricken with polio as an infant, Tokmak is partially paralyzed from the waist down… but he’s a better dancer on crutches than even many pros with the full use of their legs are.

I was both humbled and deeply impressed. Take a look:

Below is Tokmak’s performance with the Cirque du Soleil in “Varekai”:

(h/t Jezebel)

Author: elissa

Elissa is a former research associate with the University of California at Davis, and the author/co-author of over a dozen articles published in scientific journals. Currently a freelance writer and researcher, Elissa brings her multidisciplinary education and training to her writing on nutrition and supplements.

3 Comments

  1. Wow, that guy is awesome! I have never heard of him before. His work ethic and determination is incredible.

    That just goes to show what the right attitude can accomplish. He worked through a usually devistateing dissability for most people.

    A true inspiration!

    Post a Reply
    • “Determination” squared I think, since he probably had to overcome a lot of resistance on the part of the people he encountered early in his life. I imagine that many well-intentioned, able-bodied people would subtly discourage a partially-paralyzed child from trying to excel athletically, and instead, encourage him/her to take a path (intellectual, musical, etc.) more “appropriate” for someone with “limitations.”

      Which is why I found it humbling… had I been that guy’s mother, teacher, etc. – how would I have responded to him early in life, before his talent was obvious?

      Post a Reply
  2. That would be a difficult situation. I don’t know what I would have done. I probably would have become over protective and not let him try anything like that. That sure sounds short cited when I think about it.

    Sometimes doing things you feel are in your childrens “best intrest”, may not be.

    Makes you think….

    Post a Reply

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