63-year-old “table tennis grandma” pursues Paralympic Games dream | Guangerzhou Zhi
2025-12-10 21:53:30
South+
“I am 63 years old, at least 10 years older than them all.” As the oldest athlete in the Guangdong Provincial delegation at this Paralympic Games, Huang Liming laughed heartily when she mentioned her age. This is the first time she has participated in a major event.
On December 5, the Paralympic Special Olympics table tennis competition kicked off at Guangzhou Sports Vocational and Technical College.
Huang Liming (right) and her doubles partner Wu Guimei went to the training hall to practice with the help of volunteers.
Sports for Huang Liming is a “walk” that lasts for decades. He contracted polio at the age of 1 and was confined to a wheelchair, but his life span continued to expand through sports. Under the guidance of her husband, who was a wheelchair basketball player, she opened the door to sports, and her life has since moved into an open area.
On December 8, Huang Liming (right) stood up to hit the ball during the table tennis TT5 women’s doubles group match.
“I first participated in track and field, wheelchair racing, and later played tennis. Now that I’m older, I play some badminton and table tennis to be more relaxed.” She smiled as she sorted out her sports history, with pride in her tone. She has participated in long-distance wheelchair racing and even completed a 42-kilometer marathon. Because of sports, she left home, traveled all over the country, and competed abroad many times. She is a truly “all-around” player and one of the earliest disabled athletes in Guangzhou. As early as the 1980s, she represented Guangzhou in competitions between Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao.
Huang Liming often purses her lips tightly during games and takes every cricket ball seriously.
“When your horizons are widened, your heart will naturally open up.” Huang Liming, who has been involved in the cause of disabled sports for decades, is also a warm witness. “Now young disabled friends come out and play with able-bodied friends. This is particularly good.”
Huang Liming usually practices table tennis under the guidance of Wu Hanbin.
Regarding the future, Huang Liming has not set a timetable for retirement. “Keep beating until you can’t beat anymore.” For her, age is just a number.
What sports has given her is not only a strong body and shining medals, but also a kind of vitality that is internalized in the heart.
Huang Laiming (left) hits the ball.
On the sidelines of the game, Huang Liming packed up her racket, turned her wheelchair, and prepared for the next game.
(Source: Southern+)
