(Written and Photographed by Hu Tianyun, Dai Haomiao, Zhuang Yuming and Zhu Huairen) The solar term Minor Snow has arrived, along with the strong north wind and surging cold currents. But all this cannot dampen the enthusiasm for sports. On the evening of November 21, a sports and cultural event took place at the Hangzhou International Campus of Beihang University. Table tennis world champions Guo Yan and Wu Yang visited the campus to have a dialogue with teachers and students about dreams, challenges, and growth. In addition, children from Pingyao Second Primary School and Tonghui Primary School attended the event for an intimate encounter with the world champions.
At the beginning of the event, Ying Weidong, Deputy Party Secretary of the Hangzhou International Innovation Institute of Beihang University (H3I), delivered a speech. He expressed his sincere gratitude for the arrival of Guo Yan and Wu Yang, extended a warm welcome for table tennis enthusiasts in attendance, and conveyed his ardent expectations for the development of sports culture at the school.
Amidst warm applause, Guo Yan began her lecture, reflecting on her journey from an obscure player to a world champion in which she started to know table tennis, trained diligently, and became undaunted by repeated setbacks.
Guo Yan experienced a smooth start to her career. However, she received a heavy blow when the Chinese women’s team lost to their Singaporean rivals in the 2010 Moscow World Team Table Tennis Championships. This failure made her realize the true meaning of “responsibility.” Under immense pressure, the Chinese women’s table tennis team trained diligently and made a brilliant comeback at the Asian Games. In the later stages of her career, Guo Yan continued to move on, despite facing injuries. After retiring, Guo Yan transitioned into a dedicated coach. Working under considerable pressure, she imparted skills to many high-level athletes, including Ding Ning, earning her the reputation of a Grand Slam coach. Subsequently, Guo Yan accepted an invitation from Beihang University to become a physical education teacher. Initially, she felt anxious when she first stepped onto the university podium, but the hopeful expectations in her students’ eyes helped her regain her confidence and successfully complete the transformation of her role.
Guo Yan summarized her life experience with six words and shared them with the students. These words are “deep love”, emphasizing that without high enthusiasm, one cannot move forward; “hard work”, highlighting that talent alone will not pay off without diligent effort; and “great concentration”, suggesting that success can be achieved after dispelling distracting thoughts.
“I wanted to find my way through flowers, but instead, I venture straight into the depths of white clouds, witnessing the noble spirit atop the rainbow.” All of Guo Yan’s stories were enlightening for the students, illuminating their path to realize dreams. Through her personal experience, Guo Yan explained the true meaning of the saying: “One minute’s performance on the stage means ten years of practice.” She encouraged students to step out of their dormitories to engage in physical exercise, have the courage to pursue their dreams, and dare to challenge themselves. If one maintains bright visions and take firm steps, his or her dreams will naturally come true.
During the Q&A session, students talked about their thoughts on table tennis. Guo Yan listened attentively and shared insights she had gained from her life experience.
“I have missed the Olympics three times. When I missed it again in 2012, I locked myself in my room for 10 days. But I realized that I could count on no one else but myself to overcome the most difficult time., So I made up my mind to bravely face it all. It was clear for me that my career as a table tennis player was over, but my life had just begun. I am grateful to the Chinese table tennis team, to every opponent, and most importantly, to myself.”
Some faculty and students were invited onto the stage to play table tennis with Guo Yan and Wu Yang. Following the first service of Frédéric Genty, the French Dean of Zhongfa Aviation Institute of Beihang University (ZFAI), table tennis enthusiasts, including French and Chinese faculty, H3I students and primary school students, and novices, came to challenge Guo Yan and Wu Yang. The two professionl players slightly applied techniques when playing with skilled challengers, leading the audience to feel the charm of table tennis games, and provided guidance to inexperienced beginners, ensuring that every participant enjoyed the games. The small silver balls captured everyone’s attention both on and off the stage. Continuous waves of cheers and applause created a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Taking this opportunity, the newly-formed table tennis team of H3I made its official debut. Established in October 2024, the team consisted of 20 students winners of the New Star Cup of H3I. Li Bohan, a teacher from the institute, coached the team with enriched and professional training, improving techniques of the students. Additionally, the team has been actively reaching out to its peers at other universities to create more opportunities for learning and exchange. A friendly match with the table tennis team of Zhejiang University will be held in December 2024. “The silver ball moves swiftly between both sides of the table, spinning as it falls”. These young players are expected to achieve excellent results in future competitions, showcasing their prowess and spirit.
Table tennis is an evergreen traditional sports event that has been passed down from generation to generation among young Chinese people. The devotion and persistence lie in the honors of world champions to practices of students, arousing the passion of young people.
Let us hope that in the future, the H3I table tennis team will perform well in competitions and that all students of H3I can discover their passion and love. “Although the road ahead is long and challenging, I will use every means to seek the truth.” Let us make progress together and draw a new blueprint for sports. We will achieve glorious results through hard work on the path of youth and attain great success through unremitting effort in our journey of exercise.
(Approved by Hong Guanxin, Zhang Wei, Xu Ran)
Edited by Yuan Xiaohui
