Retiring at 54: China-born Spanish table tennis player Juanito He Zhiwen calls it quits after more than three decades
He started his career with the Chinese squad before moving to Spain in 1989 and competing in the Athens, Beijing and London Olympics
Nothing lasts forever, not even He Zhiwen’s table tennis career. The evergreen Spanish international – a former China national player – has finally announced his retirement after more than three decades of playing at international level.
Having won a world team title with China in 1985, He – or Juanito as he is known in Spain – has decided to stop playing at the age of 54, his last match being on Tuesday. He is currently ranked 80th in the world.
Juanito never represented China in the Olympics but played for Spain at the Athens, Beijing and London Games. At the Spanish Open in 2015, he became the oldest player to win a tour title when he triumphed in the doubles.
