An Olympic dream at 58: Table tennis player Zeng Zhiying's Paris debut captivates despite loss
More than three decades after she moved on from table tennis, Zeng Zhiying fulfilled her dream of making it to the Olympics, albeit representing a different nation.
Chile's Zhiying Zeng returns the ball during a table tennis women's singles round of sixteen match against Lily Ann Zhang of the United States at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile on Oct 31, 2023. (Photo: AP/Dolores Ochoa)
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PARIS: At the Olympic Games' South Paris Arena 4 on Saturday (Jul 27), a 58-year-old took centre stage.
To my right in the press tribune is a journalist scrolling through Zeng Zhiying’s Instagram page, no doubt preparing to interview her later in the evening.
To my left is a reporter from Chile, who is asked if he can translate her comments in Spanish to another member of the media after her game.
We are an hour from Zeng’s Olympic debut.
Her story is one which has captivated not only her nation, but has also inspired many across the globe, after calling time on her Olympic dream 38 years ago.
Born in Guangzhou in 1966, Zeng had hopes of one day representing China at the Olympics. She would rise through the ranks, but a change of rules in the game would lead to her retiring from table tennis at the age of 20.
In 1989, she moved to northern Chile after receiving an invitation to coach children there.
Playing table tennis as a professional had only crossed her mind during the COVID-19 pandemic. But after picking up the sport in earnest once again, Tania - as the Chileans call her - in 2023 qualified for the Paris Olympics.
Calm and composed, Zeng takes the first game 11-4. Cheers break out from a corner of the arena as her name is chanted.
But that would be the only bright spot of the evening as Lebanon’s Mariana Sahakian sealed the victory 4-11, 14-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8.
There will be no fairytale run for Zeng on her Olympic debut.
But such is her story that waiting for her in the mixed zone are about 50 reporters from all over the globe.
Despite the defeat, Zeng was in good spirits.
"I really enjoyed myself today," she told reporters in Mandarin. "On the court, I didn't feel tired and fought hard against her. But she was patient, more patient than me."
There was also a sense of pride at finally fulfilling her Olympics dream.
"There are a lot of people in South America who support me. But I never thought that there would be so many Europeans, Chinese who support me," Zeng said. "It's very touching and makes me happy."
Asked if she will aim for a return to the Olympics in four years in Los Angeles, it is little surprise that her answer is yes.
"I will strive for it," she said. "I will continue to play table tennis ... This sport has given me so much happiness, and I want to play it every day."
