Silver lining for para table tennis player

Huang Zhirui walked out of the para table tennis arena with a subdued expression on Tuesday, disappointed after missing out on gold at the fifth Asian Para Games in Japan.

The 17-year-old had reached the women's singles TT3 final in her debut appearance at the continental event, but had hoped for more than a silver medal. For her coach, Yu Tao, however, the result had already exceeded expectations.

"When we came here, I didn't expect her to win a silver medal," Yu said after Huang lost to South Korea's Yoon Ji-yu, the world No 1, in the final at Sky Hall Toyota in Aichi prefecture.

Huang, the youngest member of China's delegation at the Games, acknowledged that nerves had affected her performance. "I was particularly nervous," she said, adding that she was dissatisfied with her performance because she had failed to play at her usual level.

"There are more competitors here, and everyone is pretty good."

Yu said Huang's hands had become shaky and cold during the match, while repeated service errors further disrupted her rhythm. Some of her serves were also ruled faults by officials.

"She didn't play as well as she does at home, but overall, her performance at this competition was still pretty good," Yu said.

Huang's silver came amid fierce competition in para table tennis. China was leading the medal standings with 10 gold medals at the time, followed by South Korea with eight and Japan with four.

For Huang, the medal marks another milestone in a journey that began with a childhood accident and nearly a decade of painstaking training.

At the age of 5, Huang suffered a spinal cord injury while dancing, leaving her unable to stand or walk. Hoping to help her daughter regain physical functions, her mother introduced her to table tennis as part of her rehabilitation.

When Huang was 8, her mother took her to Yu, who was then coaching athletes with disabilities in Chongqing. Their meeting marked the beginning of a partnership that has lasted almost a decade.

"When she first started, she couldn't even hold the racket firmly," Yu recalled.

With limited mobility, Huang had to repeat even simple movements, such as serving, thousands of times to master them. Yet she rarely complained about the demanding training, Yu said. When exhausted, she would take a short break before returning to practice.

"She has a resilience deep inside her. She doesn't talk much, but once she sets a goal, she keeps working toward it," Yu said.

Over the years, Huang has worked to address technical weaknesses, improve transitions between shots and develop greater composure under pressure. Gradually, rehabilitation exercises gave way to intensive technical training, taking her from the provincial team to the national team.

At the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and National Special Olympic Games at the end of 2025, Huang delivered a breakthrough performance that earned her a place at the Asian Para Games.

She has since represented China at international competitions in countries including the United States, Spain and Thailand, gaining experience against opponents with different playing styles.

Beyond regular training, Yu also helps Huang manage the daily health challenges associated with her physical condition.

"She can't do without me. Wherever I go, she follows me around like a little shadow," Yu said with a smile.

Because of her spinal cord injury, Huang is vulnerable to urinary tract infections if she goes for prolonged periods without access to a toilet. In severe cases, such infections can cause fever and affect her performance.

"I may have to help her with catheterization once or twice a day and remind her to drink enough water," Yu said.

zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn