During the Tokyo Olympics this summer, the 58-year-old Luxembourgish Chinese table tennis player Ni Xialian became popular on Chinese social media.

Her age, status, open smile and optimistic spirit aroused heated discussions among netizens.

　　Audiences familiar with table tennis will not be unfamiliar with the name "Ni Xialian".

Although she now represents Luxembourg in the competition, she was born and raised in China and has left her own page in the glorious history of national table tennis.

Data map: Ni Xialian in the World Table Tennis Championships.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

　　As the main player of the women's national table tennis team in the 1980s, Ni Xialian was on the highest podium of the World Table Tennis Championships as early as 1983.

At that time, "the fat man who doesn't understand the ball" Liu Guoliang was only 7 years old, and the "hexagonal warrior" Ma Long had not yet been born.

　　After retiring, Ni Xialian came to Luxembourg to continue her table tennis career.

From the player to the coach and then back to the player, she “accidentally” played for many more years when she picked up the racket again.

　　At the Houston World Table Tennis Championships last month, Ni Xialian, following the silver medal in 1985, was again on the podium of the World Table Tennis Championships after 36 years, and also made history for Luxembourg.

In an exclusive dialogue with Sino-Singapore Sports a few days ago, Ni Xialian expressed her gratitude and miss for China, "We are writing the history of Luxembourg, which is tantamount to speaking for China and showing the image of the Chinese."

Ping Pong from a European Perspective

　　Sino-Singapore Sports: When you were young, Guoping was already a strong team.

In your opinion, what is the reason why this team has been so prosperous for many years?

How do you evaluate the new generation of national table tennis players like Fan Zhendong and Sun Yingsha?

　　Ni Xialian: I have played since I was a child. I came from a major, from the city sports school, the Shanghai team, and then slowly entered the national team.

I think this system is very powerful. It is one of the best systems in the world. It is also the reason why the strength of European table tennis cannot be compared with China.

I think it is this advantage that determines that China has so many outstanding athletes.

　　In addition to participating in professional training, Chinese athletes have had lofty ideals and goals since they were young.

Like when I was a child, I wanted to be a world champion. This is the result of education.

I think this is also very important and is the driving force for progress.

If there is no goal, it is easier for people to give up.

For example, Sun Yingsha and Fan Zhendong are very good. I admire them very much and congratulate them on becoming the world's top elites. I am very happy to see them so good.

Data map: On November 24, local time, 58-year-old Luxembourg table tennis player Ni Xialian was in the women's singles match at the Houston World Table Tennis Championships.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

　　Sino-Singapore Sports: Compared with your youth, what changes have taken place in the world table tennis landscape today?

　　Ni Xialian: From my own experience, I think the development of table tennis in Europe is relatively slow. This is related to the system.

Relatively speaking, they don't pay much attention to table tennis, and the funds are also limited.

　　Some European athletes have to start anew after retiring, or go to school, or find a job.

When they were athletes, they did not have the domestic conditions, and they still had worries about the future.

They just try to play ping pong well at a certain age, and they have no ambitious goals.

　　For example, for Luxembourg athletes, they only liked playing table tennis when they were young, but they didn't think about how to reach a world-class level. As a result, many people didn't want to enter the profession in the end.

　　The current pattern of the world's table tennis is still an Asian monopoly.

In other regions, only individuals with talent and willingness to work hard form a combination to fight for Asian athletes.

Chinese Table Tennis·World Sharing

　　Sino-Singapore Sports: You won the bronze medal in doubles in this year's World Table Tennis Championships, creating Luxembourg's history.

Do you still remember the mood at that time now?

　　Ni Xialian: Always remember, because I'm so excited!

While unbelievable, I also feel very lucky. After all, our conditions are limited.

　　I belong to the "living money". On the one hand, I rely on the technical foundation laid in China, and on the other hand, the domestic competition and training have made me stronger and will never give up.

And my partner started playing professional table tennis at the age of 19 and has been 10 years now.

In contrast, Chinese players have won the world championship at the age of 18 or even younger.

　　Our efforts cannot be compared with Asian players.

As far as I know, they train for seven or eight hours a day and are supported by a professional team, so they deserve to win.

In contrast, we completely regarded this as a hobby, and my partner even thought about vacation time a long time ago and booked a return flight ticket.

In the end we changed the ticket and got this medal.

　　Of course, this is a victory for our team.

One of our coaches has multiple roles, including coaches, training partners, psychologists, etc., and his work is very busy.

Although everyone has given a lot, it is not always rewarding, so I feel very lucky.

Data map: During the World Table Tennis Championships, Ni Xialian stood on the podium together with her partner.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan.

　　Sino-Singapore Sports: Why did you choose to wear a mask with the words "China Ping Pong World Sharing" when you received the award, and how do you understand the meaning of this sentence?

　　Ni Xialian: I am very happy and honored to wear the same mask as Guoping.

On the podium, I am the same as the Chinese players. We stand together. This is my wish.

　　Actually, I didn't expect everyone to notice this detail.

Although I have been away for a long time, I am full of feelings for China, and at the same time I am doing my best to maintain and show China's good image in the international community.

　　In my opinion, "China Ping Pong World Sharing" has profound meaning.

China is trying its best to promote the development of international table tennis, and the world has also seen China's efforts, such as the previous "wolf raising" plan.

However, there are still not many opponents who can keep up with the pace of Chinese ping-pong, and "sharing" is not easy.

　　China-Singapore Sports: Including you, many former national table tennis players are now participating in competitions on behalf of other countries.

What role do you think this group has played in the development of table tennis?

　　Ni Xialian: These athletes are a powerful force to promote the progress of world table tennis.

First of all, this provides a different platform for overseas players to show their abilities.

　　At the same time, the "Overseas Corps" will also bring competition to foreign players and broaden their horizons.

In my opinion, the contribution of Chinese table tennis players is reflected in all levels.

Data map: Ni Xialian during the World Table Tennis Championships.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan

The story of "Ni"

　　Sino-Singapore Sports: Have you ever thought about how old you will hang up?

Apart from table tennis, what other hobbies do you have in your life?

　　Ni Xialian: Regarding retirement, I want to go with the flow.

I have such a platform, and the Luxembourg team also needs me. If my physical condition allows, I think I can do a lot of things.

We won the bronze medal in the World Table Tennis Championships and wrote the history of Luxembourg. In fact, it is equivalent to speaking for China.

　　This time the Grand Duke of Luxembourg met us and invited us to play with him.

I have spent many years in Luxembourg, everyone is like family, but Ni Xialian is still from China.

　　If I have time on weekdays, I like to "play around" with flowers.

Of course, my favorite thing is to get together with my family.

　　Sino-Singapore Sports: Going all over the world to participate in the competition is physically exhausting. Does your family support your choice?

　　Ni Xialian: They gave me a lot of support.

My family is in Luxembourg, and my parents and children are taken care of by my sister and brother.

My husband is also my coach. I have his care and company when I travel to all over the world to compete and train. This feeling is very sweet and romantic.

Everyone supports me, so I am very motivated.

　　Sino-Singapore Sports: Winter sports are very popular in Europe, including Luxembourg. Have you tried it too?

The Beijing Winter Olympics is coming soon. What are your expectations for this grand event?

　　Ni Xialian: There is a ski resort near my home. Children often go there. I am very happy to see them skiing.

I will try if I have the opportunity, but I still have to avoid injury.

　　I sincerely wish and believe that the Beijing Winter Olympics will be a complete success, because we have all the elements for success.

In terms of holding large-scale events, China is the best in the world.

I am full of confidence and expectation for this.

(Reporter Xing Rui)