Paris Olympics: Age is just a number for them as they're running riots at 61 and 58
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 29.07.24. | 21:03
Xian Lian Ni, 61, and Zeng Zhiying, 58, are living proof you can be competitive even in those years
Those unique stories are what make the Olympic Games so special.
It attracts the attention of the whole world, and various athletes join to compete in this larger-than-life event.
And some of them have many reasons to be proud of.
Like, for instance, two women competing in the table tennis, Xian Lian Ni and Zeng Zhiying.
Ni Xialian and Zeng Zhiying were once Chinese table tennis teammates but never made it to the #Olympics for the land of their birth. Four decades on, they are both at the Paris Games representing other countries https://t.co/qGrgUp6IsX 1/5 pic.twitter.com/sbaZJWuYGh
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 27, 2024
The former is a 61-year-old player of Chinese descent representing Luxembourg, while the latter is just three years younger (also from China) and represents Chile. Not only have they qualified for the Olympics, but they have also been very successful in Paris.
Ni Xia Lian is competing at her sixth Olympic Games, and on Monday, she defeated Sibel Altinkaya of Turkey, with a score of 4-2.
That win made Ni the oldest table tennis player to secure a win at the Olympic Games.
Ni, who also carried Luxembourg's flag at the river-based Opening Ceremony two days earlier, couldn't believe the reaction, blowing kisses to the spectators with a beaming smile still in place, which remained while offering a consolation hug to her opponent.
🥹🥹🥹
— World Table Tennis (@WTTGlobal) July 27, 2024
She may have lost, but Zhiying Zeng's Olympic Games debut will be a moment she and her father will never forget 🫶#PingPong #TableTennis #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/sILzHuQS4F
On the other hand, Zeng Zhiying made her Olympic debut at 58. At age 18, she expected to go to the Olympics for China but never made the team and became incredibly frustrated with the sport. She retired at 20 and, shortly after, moved to Chile and coached various table tennis teams.
Then, in 2000, she decided to get a 'real job', and for two decades, she didn't play. Then, during the coronavirus outbreak, she bought a table and started playing again. And made a goal to make it to the 2024 Olympics representing Chile. And, guess what - she did it!
What an inspirational story those two truly are.
