During this summer's Tokyo Olympics, Ni Xialian, a 58-year-old Chinese-Luxembourg table tennis player, became popular on Chinese social media. Her age, identity, cheerful smile and optimistic spirit have aroused heated discussion among netizens.
Spectators familiar with table tennis will not be unfamiliar with the name "Ni Xialian". Although she now represents Luxembourg in the competition, she is born and raised in China and has left her own page in the glorious history of national table tennis.
Data chart: Ni Xialian in the World Table Tennis Championships. Photo by Liu Guanguan, a reporter of the China News Agency
As the main player of the national table tennis women's team in the 1980s, Ni Xialian reached the highest podium of the World Table Tennis Championships as early as 1983. At that time, Liu Guoliang, the "fat man who didn't know the ball", was only 7 years old, and the "hexagonal warrior" Ma Long had not yet been born.
After retiring from the army, Ni Xialian came to Luxembourg to continue her table tennis career. From player to coach and back to player, she played for many more years "accidentally" when she picked up the racket again.
At the Houston World Table Tennis Championships last month, Ni Xialian once again reached the podium of the World Table Tennis Championships after 36 years after the silver medal in 1985, and also made history for Luxembourg. In an exclusive dialogue with Sino-Singapore Sports a few days ago, Ni Xialian expressed her gratitude and longing for China, "When we write the history of Luxembourg, we are equivalent to speaking out for China and showing the image of the Chinese." ”
Ping Pong from a European perspective
When you were young, national table tennis was already a strong team. In your opinion, what is the reason why this team has flourished for many years? How do you evaluate Fan Zhendong and Sun Yingsha, the new generation of national table tennis players?
I have been playing since I was a child, and I came from a science class, from the municipal sports school, the Shanghai team, and then slowly entered the national team. I think this system is very strong, it is one of the best in the world, and it is also the reason why the strength of European table tennis cannot be compared with China. I think it is this advantage that determines that China has so many excellent athletes.
In addition to participating in professional training, Chinese athletes have lofty ideals and goals since childhood. Like when I was a kid, I wanted to be a world champion, and that's the result of education. I think it's also very important, it's a driving force for moving forward. If there is no goal, people are more likely to give up. Like Sun Yingsha and Fan Zhendong are very good, I appreciate them, and I congratulate them on becoming the world's top elite, and I am very happy to see them so good.
Data chart: On November 24, local time, 58-year-old Luxembourg table tennis player Ni Xialian competed in the women's singles competition at the Houston World Table Tennis Championships. Photo by Liu Guanguan, a reporter of the China News Service
Compared with when you were younger, how has the table tennis landscape changed in the world today?
From my own experience, I think that table tennis is developing more slowly in Europe, which is related to the system. Relatively speaking, they do not attach particular importance to table tennis, and their funds are limited.
Some European athletes retire to start a new career, or go to school, or find a job. During their time as athletes, they do not have the same conditions as in China, and they still have worries. They just try to play table tennis well at an age stage and don't have ambitious goals.
For example, the athletes in Luxembourg, who like to play table tennis as children, have not thought about how to achieve world-class standards, and as a result, many people do not want to enter the profession in the end.
The pattern of table tennis in today's world is still an Asian monopoly. Other regions are just a few talented and willing to work hard athletes to form a combination to compete with Asian athletes.
China Table Tennis • World Sharing
You won a bronze medal in doubles at this year's World Table Tennis Championships, making Luxembourg history. Do you remember how you felt at that time?
Always remember, because it was so exciting! Unbelievable at the same time, but also feel very lucky, after all, our conditions are limited.
I belong to the "eat the old book", on the one hand, relying on the technical foundation laid in China, on the other hand, the domestic competition and training have made me stronger and never give up. My partner has been playing professional table tennis since he was 19 years old and has been playing for 10 years now. In contrast, Chinese players have already won the world championship when they are 18 years old or even younger.
Our efforts cannot be compared to those of Asian players. As far as I know, they train seven or eight hours a day, with the support of a professional team, so they deserve to win. In contrast, we considered this a hobby entirely, and my partner even thought about the vacation time and booked a return ticket. Eventually we changed our ticket and got this medal.
Of course, this is a victory that belongs to our team. Our coaches have multiple roles, including coaches, sparring partners, psychologists, etc., and the work is very busy. Although everyone has given a lot, the effort is not necessarily rewarded, so I feel lucky.
Data chart: During the World Table Tennis Championships, Ni Xialian stood on the podium together. Photo by Liu Guanguan, a reporter of the China News Agency.
Why did you choose to wear a mask printed with the words "China Table Tennis World Sharing" when receiving the award, and how do you understand the meaning of this sentence?
I am very happy and honored to wear the same mask as the national table tennis. On the podium, I am like the Chinese players, we stand together, this is my wish.
In fact, I didn't expect people to notice this detail. Although I have been gone for a long time, I am full of feelings for China, and at the same time I am doing my best to maintain and show China's good image in the international community.
In my opinion, "China Table Tennis World Sharing" has a profound meaning. China is doing its best to promote the development of international table tennis, and the world has also seen China's efforts, such as the previous "wolf raising" program. However, there are still not many opponents who can keep up with the pace of Chinese table tennis, and "sharing" is not easy.
Including you, many former national table tennis players are now representing other countries. What role do you think this group has played in the development of table tennis?
These athletes are a powerful force driving the progress of table tennis in the world. First of all, it gives overseas players a different platform to show their abilities.
At the same time, the "overseas corps" will also bring competition to foreign players and broaden their horizons. I think the contribution of Chinese table tennis people is reflected in all levels.
Infographic: Ni Xialian during the World Table Tennis Championships. Photo by Liu Guanguan, a reporter of the China News Agency
It belongs to the story of "Ni"
Have you ever wondered how old you are to play? Aside from table tennis, what other hobbies do you have in your life?
The issue of retirement, I want to go with the flow. I have such a platform, the Luxembourg team needs me too, and I think I can do a lot of things if I have the physical conditions permitting. We won the bronze medal in the World Table Tennis Championships, writing the history of Luxembourg, which is actually equivalent to speaking out for China.
This time the Grand Duke of Luxembourg met us and invited us to play with him. I spent many years in Luxembourg, like family, but in the end Ni Xialian is still from China.
On weekdays, if I have time, I like to "tinker" with flowers. Of course, my favorite thing is to be with my family.
Travelling around the world is physically demanding, but does your family support your choice?
They gave me a lot of support. My family is in Luxembourg, and my parents and children are cared for by my sister and brother. My husband is also my coach, and I have his care and companions when I go to competitions and training all over the world, which is very sweet and romantic. Everyone was very supportive, so I was motivated.
Winter sports are popular in Europe, including Luxembourg, have you tried them too? The Beijing Winter Olympics are just around the corner, what are your expectations for this event?
There are ski slopes near my house, which the kids often go to, and I am very happy to see them skating. I'll try it when I get it, but I'll avoid getting hurt.
I sincerely wish and believe that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a complete success, because we have all the ingredients for success. When it comes to hosting big events, China is the best in the world. I am confident and looking forward to this.
Source: Center Sports Author: Xing Rui
Original title: Dialogue | Ni Xialian: Half a life away, but China is still in the heart"
Editor: Zeng Xiaowei
Editor-in-charge: Li Mingyang
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