43-year-old table tennis veteran Han Ying lost 0-4, her husband's sincere remarks about no excuses for loss and praise for opponent win online fans.
43-Year-Old Table Tennis Veteran Han Ying Loses 0-4; Husband’s Live-Stream Comment Goes Viral
Since being selected for the German national team in 2010, Han Ying has navigated the ups and downs of the professional circuit for more than two decades. From a defensive-style rookie to the core veteran now representing Germany in major tournaments, she has long been accustomed to back-to-back matches and high-intensity competition.In the match on September 12, she had just finished two grueling five-game matches that lasted over 95 minutes in total,After the match, the knuckles of her racket-holding hand had turned pale from sustained exertion, and the edge of her go-to defensive racket was frayed from repeated friction. Her coach on the sidelines clutched a towel the entire time, only letting out a sigh of relief when she stepped off the court.As early as 4 a.m. on the day of the match, she was still adjusting to the time difference and hadn’t slept a wink.
No one would deny that she was exhausted. In her match against Chinese national team player Chen Yi, she had not yet recovered from the physical toll of consecutive matches, and her body was still feeling the drowsiness caused by jet lag. Ultimately, she lost four straight sets, bringing her run in the tournament to an end.
As one of the few female players in their 40s still active at the top level of international table tennis—where the average age of female players is currently only around 18—the stark age gap is plain to see,everyone could see the signs of wear and tear on her body and the exhaustion from days of travel. Before and after the matches, many spectators wondered whether her family would publicly make excuses for her loss.
In the end, Han Ying’s husband, Lei Yang, made no excuses for the loss during the live broadcast. He simply stated that fatigue is never an excuse for losing, while acknowledging that Chen Yi was well-prepared before the match, executed her tactics effectively, and delivered an outstanding performance.Han Ying herself agreed with this assessment, noting that her opponent’s reading of her chopping strokes was extremely precise, with every attack hitting her technical weak spots exactly.
From the sleepless preparations that began at 4 a.m., to the 95-minute high-intensity battle, and finally to the 0–4 loss on the field, Han Ying and her family’s composed reaction to the defeat struck a chord with many viewers, resonating with the struggles they face in their daily lives.
Even in his forties, he remains steadfast at the table tennis table he loves; after a loss, he doesn’t make excuses or try to shift the blame, but calmly acknowledges his opponent’s superiority; he remains humble in victory andnor does he lose heart in adversity; when the team needs him, he first holds his ground. This composure, ingrained in his conduct, is something we haven’t seen in the public eye for quite some time.
Next, Chen Yi will face Hina Hayata. While Chen Yi holds the edge in their head-to-head record, Hina Hayata’s playing style is completely different from that of her previous opponents, so the outcome of this match remains to be seen.
If this story resonates with you, why not talk to a friend who’s a regular soccer fan about this rare sense of authenticity?
