"Come on Sasha, come on Grandma Ni" "Grandma Ni is the best"... In the top 32 table tennis women's singles competition at the just-concluded Paris Olympic Games, 23-year-old Chinese team player Sun Yingsha won 4-0, no Won this game with a suspense. Whether during or after the game, the Chinese audience at the scene not only cheered for Sun Yingsha, but also for her opponent, the 61-year-old Chinese Luxembourg player Ni Xialian.
Sun Yingsha defeated Ni Xialian with a score of 4 to 0. According to ic photo
After the game, Sun Yingsha hugged Ni Xialian for the first time. Despite losing the game, Ni Xialian always had a smile on her face. The Chinese team members and coaches at the scene also stood up and applauded this old friend.
Ni Xialian, who was born in Shanghai and has represented the Chinese team for many years, is extremely popular in the country and everyone affectionately calls her "Grandma Ni". In an interview with the media before the game, Ni Xialian said with a smile that she was really honored and happy to be able to participate in the Olympics at the age of over 60. "The most important goal of the Olympics is to enjoy the game and of course strive for a good result." It is also my goal. "
The Paris Olympics is the sixth Olympic Games that 61-year-old Ni Xialian has participated in. Perhaps, four years later, we can still see Grandma Ni continue to play in the Olympics. Regardless of age or ranking, she chose to continue fighting for that love, and as long as she stands on the court, her table tennis legend will continue.
contributed to the Chinese team's mixed doubles gold medal
For the Chinese table tennis team, Ni Xialian is both an opponent and a friend. Because just a few days ago, Ni Xialian was invited by the Chinese table tennis team to be a sparring partner for Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin who were participating in the mixed doubles event. Netizens were particularly touched by Ni Xialian's friendly sparring at this critical moment. Everyone left messages on her account to thank Grandma Ni for her "big picture".
Ni Xialian in the game according to ic photo
Ni Xialian said in her personal social account that the North Korean team is the "dark horse" of the Olympics. "They rarely come out to compete, so people don't know about them. So until now, Their 'threat' is indeed great. That girl's playing style is the same as mine, and I feel it is my responsibility to help the Chinese team." Ni Xialian said that when she received the invitation, she did not hesitate at all. "There is no motherland. Without the training of the Chinese team, who would I be?”
After Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin won the mixed doubles championship, Ni Xialian, who was watching the match at the scene, immediately congratulated her through her personal social account, “Sasha and Datou are great! "
Have a good mentality, and one more point is worth one more point.
The game between Sun Yingsha and Ni Xialian was called the "grandfather-grandson battle" by many people before the game. After all, when Ni Xialian participated in the Olympics for the first time 24 years ago, Sun Yingsha was not even born yet.
Facing the world's number one Sun Yingsha, Ni Xialian smiled before the game and said that she had cleared the way for Sun Yingsha, "I am honored to have the opportunity to learn from her. I strive to win every more point. I hope to win." Be more exciting.” When she learned that she was going to play against the seniors, Sun Yingsha also said that this was an opportunity to learn. "Aunt Ni embodies a sportsmanship. There are many things for our young players to learn."
61-year-old Ni Xialian is the Olympic Games The oldest player in table tennis. As one of the legendary female players in the world of table tennis today. As early as the 37th World Table Tennis Championships in 1983, Ni Xialian represented the Chinese team and won the team championship, and partnered with Guo Yuehua to win the mixed doubles championship.
After that, she moved to Luxembourg and won the European Championship women's singles championship three times. At the World Table Tennis Championships in Houston three years ago, she and her teammates won the bronze medal in women's doubles. In last year's wtt branch tournament Haverov Station and this year's Beirut Station, she even won two singles championships at the "advanced age" of 60 years old. She said "I can't let my age be an obstacle to me winning the championship". The most powerful proof that Ni Xialian "gets stronger with age".
"Grandma Ni" continues to write legends
Sydney, Beijing, London, Rio, Tokyo, and now Paris, 24 years and six Olympic Games, as well as countless opponents, Ni Xialian has quietly changed from a "veteran" to a " "Older veteran", people are no longer concerned about when she will say goodbye, but whether she can continue to write new legends.
"Choose a hobby and stick to it to the end, and it becomes a lifelong career." Ni Xialian, who is over sixty years old, seems to have never stopped in her career. After each training class, she and her husband and coach Tommy Polish each technology together. In her view, the biggest secret for athletes to extend their sports careers and remain competitive is their love for the game and their strong sense of responsibility. "Since you are on the field, you must perform wonderfully."
Ni Xialian and her husband Picture according to ic photo
It is under her influence and leadership that the Luxembourg team has gradually grown into a powerful team that cannot be ignored in the European table tennis world. Young national team teammates Luca and Denut, relying on their respective world rankings, competed in the men's and women's singles table tennis events of the Paris Olympics. This is the first time in the history of the Luxembourg team that three table tennis players have participated in the Olympics. What Ni Xialian often says to Luxembourg table tennis players is: results are achieved through hard work, and there are no shortcuts.
For the 61-year-old veteran, this trip to Paris is more about enjoying the game. "This is not an opportunity that comes every day, so I am very happy and have a good mentality."
As for when? "Retirement", Ni Xialian's answer was "I won't give up easily", "It's hard to imagine the day when I leave the court. My feelings for table tennis are really reluctant to leave."
Red Star News reporter Qiu Junfeng
editor Ou Peng
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