Liu Yuchun, a 71-year-old peasant in Huaxian county, Central China's Henan Province, reads a book. Liu passed the recent national college entrance examination, or gaokao, after more than 40 years of hard study. Photo: Screenshot of a video posted by Pear Video

A 71-year-old farmer in Huaxian county, Central China's Henan Province, has become the center of a real life inspirational story as he finally passed the national college entrance examinations, or gaokao, after more than 40 years of hard work, reported CCTV on Sunday. 

The man, named Liu Yuchun, scored 245 points in the recent gaokao, 65 points more than the cut-off point for college access in Henan. 

He told the media that he had taken the gaokao five times since 1978, when the examination was brought back in China.

"After so many years of hard efforts and examinations, I finally realized my dream of being admitted to college, and changed my identity from a farmer to a college student," Liu said. "The ups and downs are beyond words."

Some netizens criticized the elderly Liu for taking up a young man's place in the life-changing gaokao, while many were inspired by his persistence.

"I really admire his perseverance! I hope that his future classmates and teachers will help him to complete his studies together!" a Chinese netizen commented.