In 1987, He Zhili, who was the main player of the Chinese national team, was in the golden age of her table tennis career. She has won the world championship four times, and her status as the "first sister" in the table tennis world is unshakable.
However, before the game, which changed her life, He Zhili did not know that her table tennis journey in her homeland was about to reach the end.
On the day of the semi-finals, there was an unsettling atmosphere in the air. In order to ensure that the Chinese team won the gold medal, the coaching staff made a ruthless decision - let He Zhili deliberately release water in the game with her teammates.
He Zhili refused angrily, she shook her head vigorously, her brows were tightly locked, her hands were clenched into fists, and she strongly expressed her objection. She believes that this is a complete violation of sportsmanship and cannot accept winning in this way.
As soon as the game began, He Zhili played her best. Her light and nimble steps are like a butterfly, and her powerful serve is like an arrow off the string, catching her teammates off guard.
The ball of her teammates hit the racket back and forth, making a clattering sound, and Ho Zhili's return ball was merciless, fast and accurate, causing great pressure on the opponent. In the end, He Zhili defeated her teammates with tactics that made everyone stunned.
However, her victory angered the coaching staff. They left the venue with a cold face and without saying a word. After that, Ho Ji-ri was brutally banned from participating in the Seoul Olympics.
This result has hurt her psyche greatly, and she feels that there is a frightening malpractice within the national team. As a result, the arrogant He Zhili chose to leave the national team and embarked on a journey abroad.
This parting marked the end of her glorious journey to China.
After leaving the national team, He Zhili came to Dongying Country alone and began a life of overseas wandering. At first, the language barrier and the difference in eating Xi made her feel uncomfortable.
However, fate gave her a big twist.
One day, Ho Zhili was sitting alone on a park bench resting, and overheard the sound of the racket hitting the ball, she couldn't help but look at the table, only to see a Japanese man in a white T sweating.
His ball skills are delicate and round, which makes He Zhili's eyes shine. After the man returned the ball, He Zhili took the initiative to hand over the racket and tried to compete with him.
The two soon got into a heated game, raining balls flying back and forth, the sound of lapping echoing through the silent park. After a competition, the two smiled and shook hands. It turned out that the other party's name was Hideyuki Koyama, the son of a local wealthy man, who was both weak and polite on weekdays, which was very different from the Japanese man in He Zhili's impression.
Since then, they have often met in the park to play their skills, and table tennis has brought the hearts of two different nationalities closer together. More than a month later, Hideyuki Koyama plucked up the courage to confess his love to He Zhili.
He Zhili is also willing to start this transnational marriage. Soon, they held a simple and timeless wedding at a hotel in Tokyo, and Ho Zhili married a Japanese nobleman and started a new life.
In 1992, He Zhili ended her four-year retirement life and announced her return. When she appeared on the Japanese national team under the new name "Tomori Koyama", everyone was stunned - it turned out that she would be playing for Japan! Media flocked to express their bewilderment at the astonishing decision.
In the face of doubts, Tomoli Koyama responded calmly, Japan is her second hometown, her husband and family are here, and it is her voluntary choice to represent Japan in the competition.
Time has passed, and her heart no longer belongs to China. Journalists are still puzzled, but they can only accept this reality.
Two years later, Tomoli Koyama finally had the chance to win gold for Japan. In the 1994 Asian Games, she defeated her opponent to enter the finals, and the last obstacle in front of her was her long-lost old opponent - China's "big devil" Deng Yaping.
Tomo-ori Koyama looked calm, but her heart burned with a desire for victory.
As soon as the race began, Koyama showed great progress after retiring. She has a versatile and threatening serve, a more agile return, and a Japanese style of footwork.
Deng Yaping was overwhelmed, and fell into passivity for a while. At the time of the disparity between victory and defeat, Koyama Zhili let out a cry of "Yo West" and killed all sides. In the end, she defeated Deng Yaping 3-1 and won Japan's first Asian Games gold medal in a long time.
At the award ceremony, Tomoli Koyama was smiling, wearing a Japanese flag, and looking confident. This picture undoubtedly stung every Chinese who watched the live broadcast. Since then, Tomori Koyama has officially become a rising star in the Japanese table tennis world.
In the days that followed, she defeated a number of Chinese players in a row and became an iconic figure in Japan.
After a successful comeback in the Japanese table tennis scene, Tomoli Koyama's life seems to be flawless. However, when she stood at the pinnacle of her life, a marital crisis quietly struck.
At first, Hideyuki Koyama loved Tomori Koyama very much, and the life of the two made her feel happy. As Tomo-Koyama gained more honors, Hideyuki Koyama also appeared frequently in front of the media.
Gradually, Xiao Shan Ying became addicted to the feeling of being noticed and began to feel that he was the protagonist of this marriage.
One day, Tomo-ori Koyama receives a tip-off that her husband has been found dating a young woman. She galloped to the rendezvous and saw Hideyuki Koyama snuggling up with a pretty-looking girl.
Koyama Zhili was furious and had a big quarrel with Hideyuki Koyama on the spot. She asked Hideyuki Koyama why he cheated with tears in her eyes, but Hideyuki Koyama justifiably said that she had the right to waste time.
Seeing that Hideyuki Koyama had no remorse, Tomoyuki Koyama cried bitterly and signed a lawsuit for divorce.
After the divorce, although Koyama Zhili was like a knife, she behaved calmly. She breathed a sigh of relief and began to focus on table tennis training, and gave an exclusive interview to the media, exposing Hideyuki Koyama's negative behavior.
Eventually, Tomo-ori Koyama received a considerable distribution of property and started a new life. And this marriage has taught her never to trust others easily.
After the divorce, Koyama chose to stay in Japan to develop her career. In 2005, an opportunity allowed her to return to her home country. This year, China bid to host the World Table Tennis Championships, and Tomori Koyama was invited to attend as a guest.
After many years of not returning, this trip is of great significance to Koyama Zhili.
At the moment of reunion after a long absence, Koyama Zhili was excited. The familiar words and sights awakened her dusty memories and made her immerse herself in the memories for a long time.
In the middle of the night, Tomori Koyama went to the gymnasium where she used to train alone, and let her thoughts wander. She touched every familiar table and chair with trembling fingers, tears welling up in her eyes.
On the field, Tomo-Koyama hugged and cried bitterly with many old teammates. Her teammates did not hold a grudge against her for leaving the team, but warmly welcomed her back. Everyone spoke freely, the topic changed from the past training to the current life, and the friendship of more than ten years turned into tears and fell suddenly.
Returning to her homeland made Tomo-kari Koyama feel endless family affection. For a while, she had the idea of staying in China. But after thinking about it, Koyama understands that her life has taken root in Japan.
She told the Table Tennis Association that she would also pay attention to supporting the development of China's table tennis industry in the future. Before leaving, Koyama Zhili was reluctant, and she promised to come back in the future.
Time flies, and Tomoli Koyama's glorious table tennis career is gradually coming to an end.
In 2006, Tomoli Koyama, who had won numerous bronze medals in China and Japan, announced her retirement. On the day of her retirement, Japanese fans gathered in the square outside the stadium to applaud and cheer for her, and the scene was warm and touching.
Tomo-ori Koyama tearfully waved to the fans, bowed deeply, and completed the final curtain call.
After retiring, Tomo-Koyama faded out of public view. She no longer gives media interviews and chooses to live in an unknown town in Japan. Although no longer standing in the spotlight, for Tomo-ori Koyama, the escapist life has its own pleasures.
She enjoys spending time with her family, as well as walking in the nearby park.
From time to time, the former star can be seen closing his eyes on a park bench. When the children are playing with rackets, Tomo-ri Koyama will take the initiative to walk over and tell them how to play ball, with a warm smile on her face.
A page of legend has been turned, and Tomori Koyama has begun to enjoy a simple life. Although she has experienced many ups and downs in her life, she has now seen everything. I believe that in this small city, this table tennis superstar will find true peace.