I Feel Rejuvenated
- At 58, Zhiying Zeng, a Chinese-born athlete who now represents Chile, has achieved remarkable success on the world stage, demonstrating that dedication is key.
- Zeng, also known as Tania Zeng, captured the hearts of Chileans after winning a bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago.
- If you had never stopped playing, do you think you would have reached this point sooner?
Zhiying Zeng: From China to Chile, Table Tennis Star
Table of Contents
A story of perseverance, passion, and Olympic dreams realized.
At 58, Zhiying Zeng, a Chinese-born athlete who now represents Chile, has achieved remarkable success on the world stage, demonstrating that dedication is key. She secured a silver and gold medal at the South American Table Tennis Championships in 2023 and a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Santiago that same year. In 2024, she competed in the Olympics, garnering media attention and acclaim.
Zeng, also known as Tania Zeng, captured the hearts of Chileans after winning a bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. Her participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, as the oldest athlete in the Chilean delegation, sparked global interest. News outlets highlighted her background as a furniture vendor and her rigorous training during the pandemic to return to the sport she loved as childhood.
More Than a Sport, a Lifestyle
When did your passion for table tennis begin?
In China, my mother was a table tennis coach.We lived in an Olympic village, where all children are surrounded by different sports. It was common for children to follow in their parents’ footsteps. My mother started me playing at 9 as she saw I had the physical skills, and I gradually progressed.
Was it immediately enjoyable, or did it take time?
Initially, I saw it as a game, but the hard training was difficult. As a child, I felt frustrated when I lost. Tho, with my parents’ encouragement and seeing my enhancement, I became more competitive and started to enjoy it. plus, the teams were made up of children my age, so I socialized with friends outside of training, which made it more fun.
When did you turn professional?
At 12, I joined a professional team in China, earning a salary and living with other female athletes. I studied at night, as training was the priority. Looking back, leaving home at that age seems young, but it was normal then. We didn’t feel pressured. With hard work, I made it to the Chinese national team at 15 and stayed until 18. however, I never represented China in international championships, which was frustrating. I left table tennis as that was my only chance to train at that level.
A New Home
What brought you to Chile?
A table tennis coach in Arica invited me to coach at her club. At 22, I accepted the invitation with enthusiasm and arrived in Chile hoping to continue playing.
Was it difficult to adapt to a new country?
Yes, because the training system is very different. In China, sport is a priority, but in Chile, education comes first. Since training was only in the afternoon, I had a lot of free time and realized I couldn’t live on table tennis alone. I took advantage of the growing trade between Arica and Tacna and, with the help of Chinese friends, opened my own business. They helped me a lot with the cultural change. I didn’t know anything about trade, but I learned and started selling products.
Was your business key to adapting?
When I arrived, I didn’t know Spanish and communicated with the young athletes through gestures. With the business,I had to learn the language. I studied with a dictionary and memorized the names of the products I sold. Eventually, I earned more money and improved my Spanish. I was proud of what I had achieved.
Did table tennis take a backseat?
Working at the store meant less time for training. I had to step away from the club to focus on work. Over the years, I moved my business to Iquique, where it still is. It’s a furniture store in the free zone, which allows me to train freely. Upon arriving in Iquique, I completely stopped playing table tennis, started a family, and had a different life.
The Reunion with the Paddle
After almost 30 years, what made you decide to play again?
During that time, I did outdoor sports like walking and cycling, but I never thought about returning to table tennis. In 2020, the pandemic prevented me from exercising, and out of boredom, I remembered I had a dusty table tennis table. I started playing again and trained every day with a robot until I enjoyed it as much as in my youth. When the pandemic ended in 2022, I found a group of table tennis players to join. We competed with other clubs in northern Chile and won, which motivated me to train even more. Then, the Iquique Federation received a notification from the Chilean Table tennis Federation about a selective to choose the players for the national team in 2023.
How did you feel then?
I didn’t have much confidence because of my age and time away from competition. however, my club, friends, and family said, ‘You play great, even the men admire your physique. If your in shape, why not compete? If you win, great, if not, it’s still a good experience.’ That motivated me to go to santiago for the selection. I was afraid because there was only one spot, but I fought hard every day, stayed focused, and played well. I managed to secure first place and win the spot.
What was it like to reach the 2024 Paris Olympics?
I started representing Chile at the 2023 South American Table Tennis Championships in Lima. It was an incredible, dream-come-true experience. We won the team event, and I placed second individually. These results gave me confidence that age wasn’t an obstacle. Shortly after, I participated in the 2023 Pan american Games in Santiago. I felt a huge emotion and confidence. All the effort was worth it; I won the bronze medal, an unforgettable experience. After that,I wondered if I should keep competing,and the answer was clear. I felt rejuvenated and wanted to continue. I never thought about the Olympics, but when the federation announced a selective for the pre-olympics, I knew I had to give it my all. I fought with all my strength and secured the last available spot. It was the only passage, and now it was mine.
Did you face any physical difficulties?
Fortunately, I worked with physical trainers from the Federation, although it was a challenge for them because they had never trained an athlete my age at that level. They analyzed how I should train, designed a specific plan, and adapted the exercises to my needs, ensuring they weren’t too intense but allowed me to perform at my best.
If you had never stopped playing, do you think you would have reached this point sooner?
I think I would have reached the Olympics sooner. when I was younger, my physique and technique were at their best. If I still maintain my technique at my age now, I would have been even better before. Maybe I could have played many more years and taken a different path, but fate took me this way, and I’m grateful. Reaching this at 58 was a gift. My parents always dreamed of me entering the Chinese team and playing in world championships. I didn’t succeed then. I didn’t believe much in mystical things before, but seeing my journey, I feel they have been guiding me. I think my mother, wherever she is, has been helping me a lot.
In 2024, the BBC included you in its list of “the 100 most influential women.” How did you receive that news?
Zhiying Zeng: From China to Chile, Table Tennis Star
A story of perseverance, passion, and Olympic dreams realized.
Zhiying Zeng, also known as Tania Zeng, has become an inspiration to many. At 58,she made her Olympic debut,representing Chile in table tennis. Her journey is a testament to the power of dedication and the pursuit of dreams, regardless of age or circumstance. This Q&A explores her remarkable career, from her early beginnings to her achievements on the world stage.
Early Life and Passion for Table Tennis
How did your passion for table tennis begin?
In China, my mother was a table tennis coach. We lived in an olympic village, where all children are surrounded by different sports. It was common for children to follow in their parents’ footsteps. My mother started me playing at 9 as she saw I had the physical skills, and I gradually progressed.When did you begin playing professionally?
At 12,I joined a professional team in China,earning a salary and living with other female athletes. I studied at night, as training was the priority. Looking back, leaving home at that age seems young, but it was normal then. We didn’t feel pressured. With hard work, I made it to the Chinese national team at 15 and stayed until 18.however, I never represented China in international championships, which was frustrating. I left table tennis as that was my only chance to train at that level.When did you realise that table tennis was a game?
Initially, I saw it as a game, but the hard training was difficult.As a child, I felt frustrated when I lost. Tho, with my parents’ encouragement and seeing my enhancement, I became more competitive and started to enjoy it. plus, the teams were made up of children my age, so I socialized with friends outside of training, which made it more fun.From China to