HomeWorldOlympics61 years old Table Tennis player Ni Xialian, representing Luxembourg, received standing ovation after being eliminated from the round of 32
That’s very sweet. Also it’s pretty cool that there are events that don’t require you to be young and in ridiculously good shape. Knowing that a 61 year old can be an Olympic table tennis player or that a bunch of middle aged dudes with dad bods can win at curling makes me happy.
We should bring back the arts categories.
I’m not crying. You’re crying. Ok I’m crying.
That’s amazing. Incredible…..
Holy
Wholesome
💕💜
That’s wholesome.
I hadn’t realized she was representing Luxembourg, I thought she emigrated to Chile?
Edit: My mistake, that’s 58 year old Zhiying Zeng!
That’s great
That’s so precious. I am not even interested in sports in general, but sports spirit at the Olympics is the best.
Note: She’s not some rando, she won team and mixed doubles gold medals in 1983… she was 20 years old.
(To clarify, these medals were worlds, not olympics).
This is wild. She’s lived in Luxembourg longer than she’s lived in China at this point. I think the gentleman next to her is her husband/coach. She’s still ranked #46 in the world!
her biggest competitor: it’s afternoon.
THIS kind of thing is why I love the Olympics
I think she won a double medal in Europe just a few years ago, with the age past 50, maybe 55. She is still at a relatively high level. China team actually asked for her help one day ago since they think her playing style is most alike their mixed double final oppoenent from North Korea, with whom China knows very little. They ask Li to imitate the playing style of NK player for their mixed duo to practice against, including the girl she was playing and lost against this afternoon.
She won two golds for China in the 80’s. And the gentleman next to her is her husband, coach, and training partner. Splendid story all around.
I rang my mother after hearing about this legend, asking her what her excuse was for not being in the Olympics, since someone only one year younger than her was putting good work in here.
In post match interview (speaking in chinese) she said she got three wishes
1. Come to play table tennis in the olympic 2. Win one match 3. Play against Y.S Sun. (Which she did today and lost to)
so she was so happy about it as she got all her wishes fulfilled. 🤣
Adorable.
Now this, is the real Olympic Spirit.
Medals are only one form of recognition.
The most important one, is the appreciation by the crowd.
The Paris crowds has been amazing. Is badminton today, they were cheering on the Nigerian player who gave everything he got against top player Li Shi Feng.
Okay I am not one to get teary, but my gosh, did somebody start cutting onions in the room?
Fair play to that woman. What a legend 💪
ANYONE HAVE A LINK TO THE MATCH?!?!
Ni Xialian at 61 years old continues to be an inspiration in the world of table tennis! Age is just a number, and Ni Xialian proves it with every match she plays. Bravo
I really admire her. She has a good mindset, trying to learn and experience during the whole competition…I saw her passion in table tennis and that’s so cool
She is amazing, and I remember her world ranking is quite good. A truly remarkable table tennis player. Hats off to her.
I find it incredibly inspiring. To courageously pursue one’s dreams and compete in the Olympics at an age when most would consider retiring is a quality many people today lack. Her presence reminds us that we should bravely and persistently pursue our dreams—age is not a barrier.
29 comments
So much love and support! This is beautiful
What the world needs now
That’s very sweet. Also it’s pretty cool that there are events that don’t require you to be young and in ridiculously good shape. Knowing that a 61 year old can be an Olympic table tennis player or that a bunch of middle aged dudes with dad bods can win at curling makes me happy.
We should bring back the arts categories.
I’m not crying. You’re crying. Ok I’m crying.
That’s amazing. Incredible…..
Holy
Wholesome
💕💜
That’s wholesome.
I hadn’t realized she was representing Luxembourg, I thought she emigrated to Chile?
Edit: My mistake, that’s 58 year old Zhiying Zeng!
That’s great
That’s so precious. I am not even interested in sports in general, but sports spirit at the Olympics is the best.
Note: She’s not some rando, she won team and mixed doubles gold medals in 1983… she was 20 years old.
(To clarify, these medals were worlds, not olympics).
This is wild. She’s lived in Luxembourg longer than she’s lived in China at this point. I think the gentleman next to her is her husband/coach. She’s still ranked #46 in the world!
her biggest competitor: it’s afternoon.
THIS kind of thing is why I love the Olympics
I think she won a double medal in Europe just a few years ago, with the age past 50, maybe 55. She is still at a relatively high level. China team actually asked for her help one day ago since they think her playing style is most alike their mixed double final oppoenent from North Korea, with whom China knows very little. They ask Li to imitate the playing style of NK player for their mixed duo to practice against, including the girl she was playing and lost against this afternoon.
She won two golds for China in the 80’s. And the gentleman next to her is her husband, coach, and training partner. Splendid story all around.
I rang my mother after hearing about this legend, asking her what her excuse was for not being in the Olympics, since someone only one year younger than her was putting good work in here.
In post match interview (speaking in chinese) she said she got three wishes
1. Come to play table tennis in the olympic
2. Win one match
3. Play against Y.S Sun. (Which she did today and lost to)
so she was so happy about it as she got all her wishes fulfilled. 🤣
Adorable.
Now this, is the real Olympic Spirit.
Medals are only one form of recognition.
The most important one, is the appreciation by the crowd.
The Paris crowds has been amazing. Is badminton today, they were cheering on the Nigerian player who gave everything he got against top player Li Shi Feng.
Okay I am not one to get teary, but my gosh, did somebody start cutting onions in the room?
Fair play to that woman. What a legend 💪
ANYONE HAVE A LINK TO THE MATCH?!?!
Ni Xialian at 61 years old continues to be an inspiration in the world of table tennis! Age is just a number, and Ni Xialian proves it with every match she plays. Bravo
I really admire her. She has a good mindset, trying to learn and experience during the whole competition…I saw her passion in table tennis and that’s so cool
She is amazing, and I remember her world ranking is quite good. A truly remarkable table tennis player. Hats off to her.
I find it incredibly inspiring. To courageously pursue one’s dreams and compete in the Olympics at an age when most would consider retiring is a quality many people today lack. Her presence reminds us that we should bravely and persistently pursue our dreams—age is not a barrier.