Table tennis player

Zeng Zhiying, a 58-year-old table tennis player representing Chile, made her Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games after a 38-year hiatus from competitive play. Initially a promising player in China, Zeng retired at 20 and moved to Chile in 1989, where she later rediscovered her passion for the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic. Competing in front of a supportive crowd, Zeng felt proud despite her loss in the preliminary round against Lebanon's Mariana Sahakian. She expressed gratitude for her family's encouragement, especially her 92-year-old father, who had always shared her Olympic dream. Zeng's remarkable comeback story has inspired many, and she hinted at the possibility of continuing her journey in future competitions. Her experience at the Olympics has been described as fulfilling, marking the culmination of a lifelong aspiration.