The ping-pong initiation of the daughter of an ordinary worker
On a cold winter day in 1963, a baby girl was born in an ordinary worker's family in Shanghai, and her parents named her "Xia Lian" with hope. This newborn little girl doesn't know how many tribulations await her in the future, nor does she know that she is about to shine in the field of table tennis.
Seven years passed quietly in games and learning, and Xia Lian gradually grew up. On a sunny weekend, my father solemnly placed a ping-pong racket in the hands of little Xia Lian.
She played with the racket in her hand curiously, and her eyes shone with a unique brilliance. "Table tennis is small, but it's amazingly fast. You have to be agile and fast to play well. My father patiently explained.
After hearing this, Xia Lian clenched her racket with both hands and tried to swing it in the air, with a happy smile on her face. At that moment, the charm of table tennis deeply captured this 7-year-old girl.
At first, Xia Lian's movements were very clumsy, the racket always missed at critical moments, and the white ball always rolled to the side disobediently. Xia Lian was not discouraged, she picked up the indisputable white ball again and again, and swung her racket again to try to repel it.
Xia Lian repeatedly "fought" with the little white ball, and soon her stumbling pace became vigorous and began to be able to keep up with the speed of the white ball; The clumsy swing also gradually became powerful.
A successful shot made her cheer and a big smile on her face. Since then, Xia Lian has fallen in love with this fast-spinning little white ball. In order to further improve her table tennis, she began to consciously undergo physical and technical training.
In the face of high-intensity training, Xia Lian never flinched, because of the love for table tennis in her heart, which supported her to overcome one difficulty after another, and finally achieved brilliance.
Rapid growth during the national team period
At the age of 15, Xia Lian got her wish and entered the Shanghai Youth Team and began her transformation from a small player to a professional player. Hard training and fierce internal competition did not dampen her determination, on the contrary, Xia Lian took the initiative to ask the male team members for their strong serve and backhand skills, and was strict with herself.
Two years later, Charlian's hard work paid off, and she made it to the national team with excellent results. This is undoubtedly a moment of glory that every table tennis player dreams of.
In 1982, 19-year-old Xia Lian ushered in the most important turning point in her life. This year, the national team was invited to participate in the first international friendly match held in Tokyo, Japan, facing top players from many countries.
For Xia Lian, a newcomer, this is undoubtedly a rare opportunity. On the day of the competition, there were many good players from all over the world, and there was a great disparity in strength. This severe test, which seemed to exceed the limit of physical ability, did not dampen Xia Lian's fighting spirit. In the first team competition, Xia Lian defeated many strong opponents with her agile pace and unpredictable style of play.
Especially in the competition with the Japanese team, she responded calmly and defeated two Japanese players in a row to lock the victory for the Chinese team. The subsequent solo project was the stage where Xia Lian really shined. In 17 singles matches, she won all the national titles and won the championship. The Japanese fans at the scene were impressed.
It is rare for a 19-year-old girl to defeat many local players in terms of skill and will. After the game, the chairman of the Japan Table Tennis Association personally shook hands with Xia Lian and praised her as the new hope of the Chinese team to win the championship. Being so highly recognized, Xia Lian shed tears of joy with excitement.
Time flowed slowly on her face, and all the hardships and perseverance turned into sweet fruits at this moment. This trip to Tokyo allowed Xia Lian to complete a gorgeous transformation from a small rookie to an important member of the national team. A glorious career has officially begun.
At the age of 23, he chose to retire and ended his career at the peak of his career
After her success, the 23-year-old made a decision that many people would not understand – retirement. At the peak of her career, she opted for a high-hanging racket.
Faced with the choice in front of her, Xia Lian's heart also experienced hesitation and pain. What lies ahead is a glorious career as an athlete or an ordinary family life. Her body is still very good, her strength is at the peak of her performance, and countless arenas are waiting for her to win.
But Xia Lian also knows that her career is difficult and short, and she will not have a few years to maintain this peak state. And the life of a professional footballer is too hard, and she also longs for more time with her family.
As a result, Xia Lian finally chose to withdraw from the national team. To her teammates and coaches, she is grateful; She has been looking forward to the life of no longer training and competing. This is a perfect end, ending this 10-year journey.
After withdrawing, Xia Lian really enjoyed a free life. No more training, no need to look at the record, enjoy the family with your family every day; When I'm busy, I will get together with my old teammates and try the long-lost table tennis feeling.
It's a family time she's been longing for a long time. After retiring, what kind of life will Xia Lian live? But Xia Lian firmly believes that the dream of ping pong in the past 10 years will quietly sprout like the seeds of time and grow in the bottom of her heart. That heart of dedication to the ball is also waiting for her to call again.
Luxembourg cultivates his heart and regains his love for table tennis
In 1988, Charlene emigrated to the small country of Luxembourg, far from the hustle and bustle. The environment is fresh and pleasant, making it a great place to refresh your soul. Xia Lian also plans to run a small inn here and live a peaceful life with her family.
At first, she immersed herself in a rare quiet time, cooking the food and daily life of tourists from all over the world, and feeling the relaxation that she had not felt for a long time. Occasionally, a few children passing by the yard were happily waving their rackets there, and Xia Lian would unconsciously admire their postures, and then fall into memories.
In her heart, she knew that she hadn't really forgotten the little white ball that was spinning fast. It brought her too much sweat and cultivated a stubborn seed.
The Luxembourg national team has repeatedly invited Xia Lian to return to the country, and she has finally made a decision. In order to find her original intention, she came to the green table again.
After returning to professional training, Xia Lian quickly regained her form. The racket was once again in close contact with the little white ball, and the familiar feeling it produced made her miss it. Xia Lian gradually realized that after living in the bustling city for many years, her heart had long lost her former innocence, and her pure love for table tennis was also diluted by fame and fortune.
Now, in this quiet and peaceful country, far away from the 영예 and awards, she has regained the most sincere emotion in her heart - her love for table tennis is burning again, this time, out of a more free choice.
The 2000 Sydney Olympics was a 16-year dream
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, that little player is 37 years old. In 2000, as a member of the Luxembourg national team, Ni Xialian depicted another fulfillment in life.
At the Los Angeles Olympics 16 years ago, she was unable to participate in the Los Angeles Olympics for various reasons, which became a lingering regret in Xia Lian's heart. Now, in the beautiful seaside city of Sydney, Xia Lian finally got her wish and stood on the stage of the Fifth Ring. Facing young players from all over the world, Xia Lian is not afraid at all.
Because this time, she has 16 years of precipitation, which is a precious treasure that no one can replace. In the first battle, Xia Lian won with a very stable performance. Her experience and vision have helped her distribute her energy correctly and not be led by her opponent's frequent attacks. Against a 20-year-old, Xia Lian waited for her moment and a winning backhand helped her feel the thrill of victory again.
In the mixed doubles match that day, Ni Xialian's tacit cooperation with her young partner was even more pleasing to the eye. They go back and forth on the table, building clever offensive blocks.
That kind of relaxed and calm momentum seems to reproduce the style of Xia Lian's national hand. After the game, the fans witnessed the glory of this legendary female player from China through time and space, and gave a standing ovation. She failed to make her Olympic debut 16 years ago, and 16 years later she made a rare comeback to the top.
From Asia to Europe, from teenagers to middle aged, Xia Lian has used her persistence to interpret what a true world champion is. This is not only a girl's reminiscence and make up for the beautiful dreams of the past, but also a feast for the beauty of table tennis in the whole era. Life is enriched by these countless moments of perfection.
Both physically and mentally proud, family support has become the greatest backing
In 2002, Xia Lian met someone special - Tommy from Sweden. Originally, they were just ordinary friends, and they often played together to play ball. But gradually, the two hearts who share a common love of table tennis get closer, and there are ripples of love.
Tommy was a member of the Swedish national team and later coached in Australia. The advantage of such a common language makes him the person who understands Xia Lian the most. After the two began to fall in love, Tommy gave Xia Lian all-round support - carefully checked her physical condition before the game, and gave her water and towels during the game; He also never skimps on technical guidance to help Xia Lian play better.
"I owe all my achievements to Tommy and I wouldn't have been where I am without him. "Receiving Tommy's meticulous care on and off the field, Xia Lian felt more happy, satisfied and at ease than ever.
Maybe it's a match made in heaven. It's a two-way process, because someone understands you, trusts you, supports you, and you're willing to give everything for it.
Soon after their marriage, they welcomed a son and a daughter. When Xia Lian poured all her mother's love into her two children, the joy in her heart was even greater than the excitement when she won the championship on the table in the past.
Now, her son has become her full-time physical therapist, keeping track of her physical condition. And her daughter's young eyes have also become a source of strength for Xia Lian to draw strength on the field.
With Tommy and her two children, Xia Lian's life is finally complete. When she stepped onto the podium again, Tommy and her two children were her proudest spectators. The support of her husband and children has become Xia Lian's greatest spiritual sustenance. It is also the expectation and care of her family that gives Xia Lian the strength to continue to shine in time.
At the age of 59, he has created brilliance again, and his enthusiasm has overcome the benchmark of the years
The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves, spilling on 59-year-old Ni Xialian. The years had left wrinkles on her face and her hair had turned gray. However, when Xia Lian stood on the podium of the Hungarian Open again and lifted the gold medal, the audience was shocked - it turns out that time cannot erode the heart of true love for table tennis.
After witnessing Xia Lian's victory over one young opponent after another, people have to admire the strength that has been precipitated by time. Unlike other veterans, Xia Lian did not choose to defend to the death, but boldly went back and forth with her opponents.
Her wealth of experience is a reliable support, and she can quickly judge the path of the ball and counter-attack when faced with strong attacks. Against a young player in his early 20s, Xia Lian responded calmly and found a flaw in the key points to win the winning point. In this way, at the age of 59, she completed the elimination of a rising star.
This not only breaks the boundaries of age, but also rings the story of enthusiasm overcoming years. After the game, everyone stood up and applauded Ni Xialian, and the boos and doubts had long since disappeared. In his own way, the veteran sent a strong signal to the world that "passion and determination can conquer everything".
Xia Lian used her story to tell people that as long as you truly love table tennis, age will never be an obstacle. Keep learning new technologies and be humble; Reflect on failures and be resilient – a 60-year-old can still shine on the pitch if they do that.
Perhaps, this is the essence of a veteran. What they have is not pure physical strength or strength, but a stable mentality and undying enthusiasm for table tennis that has been precipitated over time. This also makes us understand that the day we stop making progress is the real sense of aging.
The villa raises flowers and vegetables, and sees love in simplicity
After becoming a naturalized Luxembourg in 1991, Ni Xialian bought a 700-square-meter house and began to live a less "ping-pong" life in this quiet small country. Nestled among a lush green hills, the villa offers a refreshing setting.
Every spring and summer, the yard is full of colorful flowers. Ni Xialian is particularly fond of roses, and she will take care of these delicate roses in the garden herself.
Sometimes she invites Tommy and her two children to participate in the "garden design", and the family is busy among the flowers.
In autumn, the flower beds are transformed into orchards for a good harvest. Xia Lian slightly restrained the "domineering delicate flower" and began to deal with her small vegetable field. She learned how to properly prepare the land, sow seeds, weed, and fertilize...... These seemingly boring labors have also become Xia Lian's pastime in her spare time.
The most popular thing in the villa is the small fruit trees that the two children planted at the beginning. From time to time, she comes here to check the new shoots on the tree, and takes care of the two little lifeforms.
When the autumn fruits are abundant, the family has a picnic under the tree and shares the joy of the harvest. Such a simple life is very different from the "glamorous" of Xia Lian's youth. But as the so-called return to nature, she sees the joy of growing vegetables, tastes the sweetness brought by fruits, and every moment of intimate contact with nature, which makes her mind calm and more pure.
Xia Lian would often take a leisurely walk in the yard. Listening to the singing of birds and the fragrance of flowers, she will think of many bits and pieces of the past. For example, the novelty of being exposed to table tennis for the first time when I was a child, and the excitement of winning a competition for the first time...... The bits and pieces of memories of those green years are also slowly waking up in this quiet time.
The comfortable and quiet life allowed Xia Lian to find her original love for table tennis deep in her heart. In the top arena of chasing fame and fortune, she once lost herself a little.
Now, when she occasionally picks up a racket and sweats it out of complete freedom of choice with her two children, Xia Lian knows that she still loves the sport deeply.
She hopes to use her story to show the world that as long as you have dreams and passions in your heart, it is never too late. No matter how many ups and downs you go through, the fire of love always burns in the bottom of your heart.