On June 20, Ni Xialian, a female table tennis player, said on social platforms: "I'm here for the Olympics! ”
The 61-year-old Ni Xialian is about to stand on the Olympic stage for the sixth time, and her integration of sports, career and life has attracted attention from all walks of life, and people affectionately call her "Ping Pong Grandma".
Ni Xialian's game scene. Courtesy of the International Table Tennis Federation
"Live one life into two lives"
In July 1963, Ni Xialian was born in Shanghai, and at the age of 13, she entered the Shanghai Youth Amateur Sports School. In 1978, 15-year-old Ni Xialian became the main player of the Shanghai team. The following year, she won the women's singles runner-up in the 4th National Games and was selected for the Chinese national team.
In 1983, the 37th World Table Tennis Championships were held in Japan. Ni Xialian partnered with Cao Yanhua and Geng Lijuan to win the women's team championship, and that year, she was 20 years old.
"Ping Pong Grandma" Ni Xialian made a guest appearance as a reporter to bless the national table tennis. Photo by He Shaoqing
At the age of 23, Ni Xialian left the national team and went overseas. She then travelled to Europe, where she represented Luxembourg and won the Women's Singles title three times.
In the past two years, Ni Xialian has been active in the international arena, and at the World Table Tennis Championships in Houston, she partnered with Denut to win the bronze medal in women's doubles; In 2021, 58-year-old Ni Xialian won the World Table Tennis Championships medal again after 36 years, and won the first women's doubles medal at the World Table Tennis Championships for Luxembourg with her partner Denut.
On November 24, local time, 58-year-old Luxembourg table tennis player Ni Xialian competed in the women's singles match at the World Table Tennis Championships in Houston. On the same day, Ni Xialian defeated her opponent Ivana MALOBABIC 4-0 and advanced to the top 32 of the women's singles. Photo by China News Service reporter Liu Guanguan
"Life should be satisfying and content"
From fighting for honor, to fighting for life, to now playing for fun, Ni Xialian said: "I'm so content, I've lived two lives in this life." I'm really happy to be here, I'm very grateful and grateful. ”
Ni Xialian browses the news on Chinanews.com. Photo by An Yuan
In the round of 16 of the team competition of the 2022 Chengdu World Table Tennis Championships, the Luxembourg team led by Ni Xialian lost 1-3 to the Portuguese team and missed the top 8.
In an interview with reporters, Ni Xialian said: "People should be content, or people should be realistic. There are a lot of matches where I didn't win the match point, and there are always regrets in life, right? ”
"There is only one winner of the game, even if we lose, we have to afford to lose, and we just have to work hard to win back." Ni Xialian shared her view of victory and defeat like this.
In Ni Xialian's table tennis path, her husband and coach Tommy played a very important role. "He always enlightened me and encouraged me. The other half is very important, this is the luckiest thing in my life, life is to be satisfied and content. ”
Ni Xialian and Danielson looked at each other and smiled. Photo by An Yuan
How long will Ni Xialian fight?
After Ni Xialian posted information about participating in the Olympic Games on social platforms, fans left messages one after another, sending blessings and encouragement to Ni Xialian.
But many people can't help asking: How long will Ni Xialian fight?
Previously, Ni Xialian had given the answer: "Youth is not a number, age is not a problem, choosing a hobby and persevering to the end has become a lifelong career." Table tennis is my favorite sport, and I have table tennis in my dreams, so as long as the conditions allow, I definitely don't want to part with it. ”
This is not the first time that Ni Xialian has responded to career questions.
After the Tokyo Olympics, a reporter asked Ni Xialian if it was the last Olympics, and she said: "Why do you have to give yourself this limit? "As long as you're happy, why set an age?"
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