The journey to the Olympic stage was a long and winding road for Zeng. Her 92-year-old father stayed awake until 5 a.m. in China to witness his daughter’s historic qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics — a dream he had nurtured since he first took her to table tennis training as a young girl.

Born in Guangzhou, China, in 1966, Zeng was raised in a family deeply rooted in table tennis. Her mother, a table tennis coach, trained her until she was nine. Zeng quickly ascended the ranks, winning numerous regional tournaments and becoming a junior national champion. At 16, she joined the Chinese national team.

However, her Olympic dreams were dashed due to the “two-color rule” imposed before the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The rule, which required paddles to have two different-colored sides, significantly impacted Zeng’s game as she often rotated her paddle to confuse opponents. Unable to adapt, Zeng retired early from the sport.

A New Beginning in Chile

In 1989, Zeng received an offer to become a table tennis coach at a school in Chile, an opportunity that changed her life. Years later, she started playing again, winning two national tournaments in 2004 and 2005, before pausing her career to support her son’s table tennis journey.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Zeng returned to table tennis to stay fit. “[I started playing again] more than anything, just to exercise because we weren’t doing anything locked down in the house except eating,” she told CNN. Her passion reignited, she began competing in regional tournaments with the support of the table tennis federation in Iquique, Chile.

Achieving the Dream

At 57, Zeng qualified for the 2023 South American Table Tennis Championships and became a sensation at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago. This triumph paved the way for her to represent Chile at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“My dad was able to see his daughter qualify for the Olympics,” Zeng shared. “He used to take me to training and to matches when I was a girl and now at 57, I made it. I made it.”

On Saturday, Zeng faced Lebanon’s Mariana Sahakian in the preliminary rounds of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Although she lost, her story remains an inspiration.

“But I don’t feel very sad, because this is sport. My husband, my sons, everyone I love and care about were there shouting my name. I feel so content,” Zeng said after her loss.

A Legacy of Inspiration

Zhiying Zeng’s journey from a young girl in China to an Olympic athlete representing Chile at 58 is a testament to her unwavering spirit and dedication. Her story inspires athletes worldwide, proving that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.