29/07/2024
This might be the best Paris 2024 story: Zeng Zhiying made her Olympics debut at 58-years old.
Born in China, she is now representing Chile in table tennis because of an incredible journey.
At age 18, she expected to go to the Olympics for her birth country, China, as one of the best players in the world.
But then table tennis changed out the two-sided paddles, and her game was thrown off.
She never made the team and became incredibly frustrated with the sport. She retired from the game as a player at age 20. Shortly after, she moved to Chile and coached various table tennis teams.
Then, in 2000, she decided to get a “real job” and step away from the game. For 20 years, she didn’t play. Then, in COVID, she bought a table and started playing again.
She made it a goal to make the 2024 Olympics representing Chile. And, at age 58, she did it!
The human brain is crazy powerful, and it can prevent us from continuing something we love or help us persevere through times when the odds are heavily stacked against us.
What an inspiration to follow your dreams.
