61-year-old table tennis player

Zhiying 'Tania' Zeng, a 58-year-old table tennis player, made her Olympic debut at the Paris Games, becoming an inspiration as she qualified despite being ranked outside the top 100. Originally from China, Zeng emigrated to Chile in 1989 and returned to competitive play during the pandemic, fulfilling her lifelong dream of competing in the Olympics. Meanwhile, 61-year-old Xia Lian from Luxembourg made history by becoming the oldest player to win a match at the Olympics, defeating a younger opponent in her sixth Games. Xia's long career has been marked by resilience, having initially retired before returning to the sport in a different country. Both athletes showcase a remarkable dedication to table tennis, representing the spirit of perseverance at their respective ages. The excitement around table tennis is palpable, especially in places like Hong Kong, where anticipation is high following previous successes in the sport.