Chinese social media in love with 61-year-old ‘Auntie Ni’s’ fun spirit at Paris Olympics

Age is just a number for Luxembourg’s 61-year-old “table-tennis grandma” Ni Xialian, who won the hearts of spectators for the joy, passion and sportsmanship displayed during her defeat to top seed Sun Yingsha.

Cheers from the crowd at the women’s singles round-of-32 match on Wednesday intensified to a standing ovation for Ni after she lost 4-0 to China’s Sun.

Ni waved to the crowd with tears in her eyes after the game, and told reporters that playing with the 32-year-old Sun was a dream of hers.

“My first dream was to make it to the Olympics, my second dream was to win a match, and my third wish was to play against Sun. I completed all three, so I am very happy,” she said.

“Sun is very strong and I was very excited to play against her. I had hoped to put up a good fight against her and make it an enjoyable game for all. This is my hobby and my biggest wish … Age is just a number.”

Footage of her enjoying a bottle of Coca-Cola during the match and sharing a kiss with her husband Tommy Danielsson, who is also her coach, caught the attention of Chinese internet users, who lauded her happy-go-lucky spirit.