Zhiying Zeng, born in China, has made her Olympics debut at 58 years old, representing Chile after an incredible journey.
Zeng was born in 1966 in Guangzhou, China, into a household that lived and breathed table tennis. Her mother was a table tennis coach and coached Zeng until she was 9 years old. She quickly climbed the ranks and won numerous regional tournaments, subsequently becoming a junior national champion.
However, the sport’s switch to two-sided paddles disrupted her game, preventing her from making the team. This setback led to immense frustration, and she retired from the sport at just 20 years old.
“So many players in China have the dream [to represent the country] because it’s so hard to achieve. The change of rules affected my game a lot,” she told CNN. “That’s when I had a big downturn and left the national team. ”
But the tide changed quickly for Zeng. In 1989, a school in Chile invited her to become a table tennis coach, an offer that changed her life.
Zeng started playing again a few years later and won two national-level tournaments in 2004 and 2005. However, she put a halt to her journey again after her son started playing the sport.
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For two almost decades, Zeng didn’t play table tennis. However, the Covid-19 pandemic reignited her passion for the game. She bought a table and started playing again.
“[started playing again] More than anything, just to exercise because we weren’t doing anything locked down in the house except eating,” she told CNN. “I got the bug and once we were able to leave, I immediately wanted to play against someone to see what level I was at – and see if I could I still run or not.”
She began playing in regional tournaments with the help of the federation in Iquique, Chile, where she resides. She then qualified for the 2023 South American Table Tennis Championships at the age of 57 after persuasion from her friends and family. And at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, she became a Chilean sensation and got the opportunity to represent her country at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Against all odds, Zeng achieved her dream, making her Olympic debut at age 58.
On Saturday, Zeng played against Lebanon’s Mariana Sahakian in the preliminary rounds of Paris 2024 and lost. However, her story has been one for the ages.
“But I don’t feel very sad, because this is sport. My husband, my sons, everyone I love and care about were there shouting my name. I feel so content,” Zeng said after her loss.
Her journey is a testament to perseverance and passion, serving as an inspiration to many.
