China News ServiceBeijing, October 2nd: Ni Xialian sheds tears on the court, table tennis is still happy
Author Zhou Xin
“I’m sorry, Grandma Ni has let everyone down.”
On the evening of the 1st, in the 2024 World Table Tennis Professional League (WTT) China Grand Slam women’s singles competition, Ni Xialian, who represented Luxembourg, lost 0:3 to Japanese star Mima Ito. Ni Xialian, who always loves to laugh, couldn’t help crying.
The 61-year-old Chinese veteran said that coming to Beijing to play games felt like “going home.” “Grandma Ni also wanted to win, but unfortunately she didn’t have the ability and let everyone down.”
On October 1, in the second round of the women’s singles match of the WTT China Grand Slam, Ni Xialian, who represented Luxembourg, lost to Japanese star Mima Ito 0:3 and missed the top 16 of the women’s singles. (Photo courtesy of WTT World Table Tennis Federation)
For “Grandma Table Tennis”, table tennis is already a sport that is about happiness and has nothing to do with winning or losing. In Paris this summer, Ni Xialian represented Luxembourg in her sixth career Olympics. Six games in the Olympics are rare in the world of table tennis, but Ni Xialian doesn’t think it has any special meaning. “I don’t need records or miracles, I just need to do my best.”
Work hard, so be happy. Facing Olympic champion Mima Ito, Ni Xialian actively ran on both sides of the table, trying her best to mobilize Ito. However, Mima Ito showed a strong offensive at the beginning and firmly grasped the initiative. In the end, Ni Xialian lost to her opponent 0:3 and stopped in the top 32 of the WTT China Grand Slam.
This time, Ni Xialian, who has always been “happy ping pong”, was moved to tears. After the game, she received lots of hugs on her way from the field to the mixed mining area. “Grandma Ni, Grandma Ni! Can you sign your name for me!” A child shouted to Ni Xialian against the wind, holding a pen and paper in hand. In the mixed mining area, she even wondered whether the child had caught the cold in the wind.
“Everyone is so kind to me, I’m really touched.” “This time I can return to Beijing to play, and I hope to give everyone a wonderful game. This is my biggest wish.” Ni Xialian said.
This is Ni Xialian’s return to Beijing to play a game since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She said she wanted to repay the fans with a victory on National Day. “I also want to win one more point, but I really disappoint you. I’m sorry, I can’t help it. Thank you all.” Ni Xialian’s tears flowed down the corners of her eyes again.
“I know it is difficult (to win), but I have been rising to the challenge.” Ni Xialian said that this is what competitive sports are like. You have to rely on strength to speak. This is the charm of sports. “We have to meet challenges one by one and overcome difficulties one by one. I also hope that the children can learn something from me.” (End)
