Member Associations | 4 Jul 2023

Happy birthday NI Xia Lian

NI Xia Lian, a three-time European Champion in Singles, two-time World Champion in Team's and mixed doubles, is celebrating her 60th birthday today. Despite reaching this milestone age, she remains active and fiercely competitive. Just a few days before her birthday, NI competed in the Singles and Team's events at the European Games.

Four years earlier at the same competition NI won bronze and qualified for Olympics.

NI initially achieved team and mixed doubles gold medals for China in the 1983 World Championships before moving to Germany in 1989. Two years later, she settled in Luxembourg.

Furthermore, NI was a member of the Luxembourg Olympic team in Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016. During the closing ceremony in Brazil, Ni had the honor of being the flag bearer for Luxembourg.

Four years later, at the age of 58, NI qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the oldest table tennis player to participate in the Games.

In 2021, at 58 years old, NI achieved another milestone by winning the bronze medal in women's doubles at the 2021 World Championships, partnering with Sarah de NUTTE.

In 2016, Xialian received a Badge of Honour for her outstanding contribution to the work of the European Table Tennis Union.

1983 World Champion in team and mixed doubles

1998 European Championships winner in singles

2002 European Championships winner in singles and mixed doubles

Europe Top 12 winner in 1996, 1997 and 1998

Europe Cup of Champions winner in 2002

Champions League winner in 2008 and 2010

2000 European Championships silver medal in doubles alongside Peggy REGENWETTER

2018 European Championships bronze medal in doubles alongside Sarah de NUTTE

2021 World Championships bronze medal in doubles, again alongside Sarah de NUTTE