Table tennis player makes Olympic debut at age 58
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
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Chinese-Chilean table tennis athlete Zhiying Zeng is set to make her Olympic debut at the age of 58. Zeng will represent Chile while competing as one of the oldest athletes taking part in the Paris Games. Also known by her nickname “Auntie Tania”, Zeng started playing table tennis when she was nine years old and was already a professional by the time she was 13. When she moved to Chile, she set aside her table tennis career to support her family. Thirty years later, Zeng was motivated to return to the sport because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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she also made a life for herself in foreign country, family, kids, became fluent in spanish as an adult learner, incredible, she's a hard worker
58 Years Old and you are still in Top 150 best players in the world
That is truly amazing and inspirational. And she is an old-school chopper.
and she quit for like thirty years? crazy
Xia Lian NI is ranked 53 and she is 61 years old 🫨.
chinese standards are different.
the rankings are bs though. It's not about your Elo it's about how many tournaments you participate in. A lot of retired younger players in China would wipe the floor with her but they're retired so they're not on the rankings
As a Chilean, she has a lovely accent that our people recognize. She’s Chilean ❤🇨🇱🇨🇳
she try to assimilate to your culture...truly deserve ur love and wishes
That's true, soy mexicana y escucho su lindo acento chileno.
At such age, competiting at the highest level of physical demanding sport, nothing but utmost respect to her. All the best for you, Auntie.
obviously table tennis is not a physical demanding sport.
@@skyecyprus8384 obviously you know nothing about table tennis
@@Geenewhy well it's not compared to most sports, there is a reason why nerds play it the most
@@Geenewhy i mean it is physically demanding. but it s also true that players can play it longer on a professional level than other sports. You don t lose the natural feeling for the ball. you lose reaction time and speed though.
@@Geenewhy yeah but compared to other sports it isn't very physically demanding
Being Asian, I am proud of the fact that our legacy will be left behind in a humble manner wherever we choose to live. Auntie Tania wishes you a wonderful journey, live the life you've always wished for
she is very loved in Chile and you can notice in her smile and body language that she was also shaped by the Chilean vibe :)
lovely to see her story is reaching this media. She is quite loved in Chile and she also loves the country.
Ni Xia Lian: "Finally, a worthy opponent"
Hahahaha, a nice one
Doesn't she use short pips?
Clever....and you can count on her and Ni Xia Lian having some practice warm ups. Or an exhibition match after the games.
Yeah. I was gonna say she is not the oldest in table tennis at the Olympics
They were teammates back in China
Took me a moment to realise she was speaking Spanish. I thought I had learned Chinese by accident
LOL
@@LandGrabbingIndia What you said is irrelevant to this comment and video, do better.
@@LandGrabbingIndia And remind me how is that relevant?
LOL
@@LandGrabbingIndia Meaning: THAT'S NOTHING
Chinese national ranked 3, pretty much means world ranked 3.
at that time, yes, that would be in the 70s
#3 proof?
I think a true former #3 CHN would be in Europe or Asia.
She needs to be in a Nike "Just Do It" commercial.
Absolutely.
Yes!
This truly exemplifies the saying, "My grandma plays table tennis better than you."
Such level of athleticism at 58 years is no joke.
wow.. its always an amazing when a precocious child prodigy goes to the olympics but in many ways this story is so much more inspiring. don't let age keep you from going after your dreams. :)
I am so happy for her. Go girl,
I am cheering for you.
she's epitome of "you're never too old to dream"
Nothing but respect for her ! 👍🎊
Go, Zhiying Zeng, go... You're a true inspiration for the next generations and many of us... 🙂Much love from India 🍃
When you are capable, age doesn't matter. Don't listen to people saying you should be this, this, and that by certain age. We all live different lives, and we don't even die at the same age.
Agreed
Her children must be so proud of her! If my mum was playing in the Olympics at that age I’d suddenly start working out a lot lol.
Incredible. The fact that she can compete at Olympic level at 58 is worth a medal already.
excited to see her play 😌👍
Wow, what an inspiration as she proves that it is never too late to chose your dreams! Bravo and hope she does well in the Olympics!🎉
She is such an inspiration, more so than young prodigies I dare say.
She speaks the language, she passes rhe test. Proves she is not a paid imported talent.
She went there at 22 and adopted their language, yet here in the US you have people who been here for decades and still can't speak a lick of English.
Exactly!!
Here lies the difference between the East vs West.
The West taking life for granted & spoilt lazy, hence what they can't achieve, their Tonya Harding attitude manifest, to crippled those who prosper & succeed.
@@KNByam well cuz in Chile, she cant communicate with other ppl without speaking their language. While in the US offers many languages in offices and you can find alot of ppl who speak your language to hang out with
Amazing ...hope she will medal and prove age is just a number....well she proved it already by qualifying for the Olympics.
Me too
She will absolutely not, but I would love to see her matches on TV!
Don't kid yourself......age isn't just a number.A friend of mine said that to me 10 years ago but now he's nowhere to be found as he gets older.
Man, i wish her success
So happy she made it this far, and i hope she reaches greater heights ❤❤❤
Incredible... i wish the best for her and i gave my undue respect...
Auntie story is truly inspiring, enjoy the Olympic auntie.
She and Chinese born Luxembourgish table tennis player Ni Xialian, would make an awesome duo
Wishful thinking. Xia Lian Ni would be 61 now and I wonder if she still play at the professional level.
@@dreliohNi is actually part of the Luxembourg team and will play at Paris Olympics
@@ginrovers7725 Wow! You don't say! I watched her playing a 17 year old Korean player in 2nd round to final 5th deciding game.
@@dreliohShe one bronze in doubles at the World Table Tennis Championship in Houston. I was there. Trust me, she can play at the pro level.
They were teammates once
The two former teammates now playing on different sides in the Olympics for different countries.
She is amazing and awesome! Wish her all the best! Go girl!!
I needed this motivation.
Wish her all the best. Very inspiring!
Her story is so inspiring! Nobody should give up their dreams no matter how old you are!
30 years ago, internet was beginning. most people watching this was born after she quit and now there she is in the world stage. Amazing.
Vamos tía Tania!!! ❤
I just love the lady with the language. Thank you Chilea ❤❤❤
I quit for 21 years and started again in 2010 currently I am at or above the tournament level I had when I was 23 years old although my endurance is not as strong at 65 I can still move like a teenager.
she is incredibleeee❤❤❤❤
Amazing
Thats badass that she could retire for 30 years then pick it up again and still be world-class
Really inspiring to see her get the opportunity to play on the world stage
she's such an inspiration to us! loved the video too!
Already a winner 👍👍👍🇦🇺
China so dominant they start to send aunty to Chile for competition.
they are so age discriminate
Who do you mean by "they?"
She wasn't sent by China to Chile.
Please listen well, before you draw conclusion.
She went on her own accord.
Goodness, what happen to people nowadays. Don't read, speak or think well, hence the world is in chaos.
@@TheFriend2u they China,
She came by herself at a young age and loved the country and the country loves her
She will be defeated at the Olympics but just getting there is a victory in and of itself. Congrats!
@multiplemike5021
Wow, that was warranted. You are the sort that your life "glass" is always half empty.
@@TheFriend2u You know nothing of me and I nothing of you. You probably shouldn't judge when you have no clue what you're talking about.
You are never too old. She has proven it.
Most Olympic althletes are insanely smart, the ability to improve themselfs within the sport and use hard work as a vehicle.
Competition inside the Chinese national team is pretty cut-throat, some of those talented players who didn't make the cut moves overseas so they can participate and compete. Doesn't matter which flag they represent, spirit of sportsmanship is all the same, i wish her great success in Paris.
Fantastic. She's courageous even if it's futile.
Don't let them take your dreams. Not age, not doubt, not circumstance and definitely not other people's opinions.
Don't be dramatic, nobody is taking away her dreams. Arent she going to participate in the Olympic?
So much to be said for learning sports at a young age - 90% of what she can do must be muscle memory.
Wonderful for Aunty Tania, goodluck, have fun🇦🇺
Great example for the ppl of his age and above, aguante chilito
Go For Gold!😊
Sorry, not a chance to medal at all. Want to bet?
Very inspiring 👏🏻
My hope now.
Support support
Shes awesome!!!
KUDOS for her !
Way to Go!!!!’❤❤❤❤❤
00:03 “block” does an explosive topspin
she is my inspiration
Wow legend!
Note thar her Spanish is quite perfect too! Respect!!
go for gold 😎
Vamos, Tia Tania! Interesting to watch her matches in the coming games
what a story...and great espanol.kudos to her
Wow!!! Inspiring auntie!
You go girl
Cool! I'm cheering for team Chile.
Amazing!! Age is just a number for her...💪✊🥇
Very inspiring. Jiayou, Tía Tania!
This is awesome! I am the same age. Keep it going!!!!
What an inspiration!
respect !! all the best !!
Inspirational indeed!
this is awesome
Very inspiring ❤
Ánimo Zhiying, eres la prueba que la edad es sólo un número, y seguro que serás una inspiración para mucha gente que piensa que ya es tarde para practicar deportes. Te deseo toda la suerte del mundo.
Go Auntie Tania !!!!
LEGEND!!!
Amazing
Go get 'em, Girl❗❤❤❤❤❤
It's the DNA spirit of the chinese race, especially those from China. They are deligent, industrious, focus, determination with tenacity & patriotism where ever they maybe.
As a 27 year old, I am writing this. I want to play football at the international level and for Manchester United (as I have grown watching that club, Mr Alex Ferguson) and I do not know whether I will be able to do it or not. But, Sapna to Sapna hota hai !! Discipline matters most in life, Wayne rooney is 6 months younger than Ronaldo.
Tia Tania!
58 Chinese with Spanish voice pack.. respect!
Full support
hope she wins gold
VERY INSPIRING!!!
go go go!
BRAVO🥰😀🥰
Chile, China. Make sense.
Marvellous!
This hurts coz my mom never reached her 45th this year 😢
Keep well, my friend.
I am sure she was an awesome person and now her spirit protects you. Sending you a hug wherever in the world you are.
wow, inspiring 🔥
That's awesome to see
she trained her entire life for this moment 👍🫶🏻💪🏼
The video said she stopped playing for years only to get back the last few years.
amazing!