On March 12, Beijing time, the first round of WTT table tennis Grand Slam Singapore, 58-year-old Ni Xialian fought 3 rounds, and finally lost 0-3 to the national table tennis young player He Zhuojia, regrettably stopped the first round. Although she lost the game, the scene sounded applause to pay tribute to her, as a 58-year-old she is still active on the field and has made history. From the Tokyo Olympics to the World Table Tennis Championships to the WTT Grand Slam, Ni Xialian is called "the crown without a crown!" "This professionalism is worth learning from everyone, and she has always insisted on her admirable love!"
Born in 1983, Ni Xialian was a major member of the national table tennis team and won the women's team championship and mixed doubles championship (partner Guo Yuehua) at the 37th Table Tennis Championships. After that, Ni Xialian chose to play in Europe and represent Luxembourg, and since then, she still insists on playing on the field. Last year, it was wang Yidi, the main force of the national table tennis, who caused quite a stir, and now she is playing in Singapore again, Ni Xialian once again met the national table tennis players in the first round, but this time she was in poor shape and failed to create a miracle again.
The first set; He Zhuojia took the lead in entering the state, starting with 5-0, although Ni Xialian chased 2 consecutive sets to narrow the score gap 2-5, but the overall strength of the two sides is still some gap, He Zhuojia occupies an absolute advantage in physical fitness, after several rounds of confrontation, Ni Xialian's physical fitness gradually became a little weak, mistakes began to increase, and soon, He Zhuojia took an 11-7 first city, leading 1-0.
In the second set, Ni Xialian suddenly changed the style of the ball, for a while He Zhuojia was not very comfortable, Ni Xialian took a 3-1 lead; however, after a short exchange, He Zhuojia gradually adapted to the rhythm of Ni Xialian's game and began to fight a counterattack, quickly equalizing the score of 3-3. However, Ni Xialian did not give up easily, but instead stalemated with He Zhuojia, He Zhuojia only led 7-6 with a difference of 1 point; fortunately, He Zhuojia stabilized his mentality in time and tried to change his playing style, and then Ni Xialian made mistakes again, and in the end, He Zhuojia took an 11-7 next city, leading 2-0.
The third set; He Zhuojia started 3-1, but soon there were mistakes, Ni Xialian seized the opportunity to achieve a counterattack, 7-6; this is Ni Xialian's best chance, but after 2 rounds of fierce confrontation, Ni Xialian's physical fitness began to decline, the state plummeted and the number of mistakes increased, and finally he Zhuojia chased to 7-7 draw. Although Ni Xialian scored 2 more points at the critical moment, she was finally won by He Zhuojia 11-9, and eliminated Ni Xialian 3-0 to advance to the next round.
For her performance, Ni Xialian was very dissatisfied, anxious to stomp her feet, but in the end she still lost on her own physical fitness; after all, she was 58 years old, many players have long chosen to retire to open a new career plan, but Ni Xialian has never given up the game, this is her lifelong pursuit, regardless of winning or losing.
After the game, many fans were touched by Ni Xialian's spirit: "Come on! Grandma Ni, you are the best. "I'm ashamed that the 58-year-old still chooses to play in the arena, and I admire this boldness!" "Ivy on the ping pong field, look forward to your day to create a miracle, come on!"