Liu relishing her golden comeback

"This is my last National Games," table tennis veteran Liu Shiwen said at the National Games in Shaanxi province four years ago.

At that time, the then 30-year-old claimed the mixed doubles title with partner Xu Xin.

However, at 34, she has clearly revisited that decision. Now, paired with 30-year-old Lin Gaoyuan and representing Guangdong province in mixed doubles, Liu helped stage impressive comeback victories in the quarterfinals and semifinals at the ongoing 15th National Games.

The duo went on to defeat Jiangsu province's 20-year-old Chen Yuanyu and 21-year-old Kuai Man 4-2 in the final, securing the gold medal at Macao's Galaxy Arena on Friday night.

Liu had gradually stepped away from the national team after the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she took silver in the mixed doubles with Xu. Then, in 2022, Liu and India's Sharath Kamal Achanta were elected as joint chairs of the International Table Tennis Federation Athletes' Commission.

With her responsibilities shifting toward global table tennis development, Liu has still been actively contributing to the sport.

Yet, her return to the Games — despite her earlier "last time" remark — reflects her deep, enduring love for the sport, as well as a sense of personal reconciliation.

Zhang Chao, head coach of the Guangdong team, remarked emotionally: "Technically, we were at a disadvantage and being suppressed in the final. That they still managed to find a path to victory just shows how strong they were mentally. They scored full marks in spirit."

Lin also noted: "Our persistence and willpower were fully demonstrated in the tournament."

"Winning this gold feels like a dream. Before the competition, I never imagined I would be able to compete in these Games, let alone win the title," said Liu about competing at her sixth Games.

She added that she was deeply motivated to represent Guangdong on its home turf as one of the three regional hosts of the Games, being held in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and contribute one more time to the team that had nurtured her career.

Her journey back to competition was a physically demanding one, though. Liu had previously undergone surgery for a tendon rupture in her elbow prior to the Tokyo Games.

To prepare for these National Games, she resumed high-intensity training in March, supplemented by rehabilitation sessions three to four times a week, additional physical conditioning and regular recovery treatments.

"Before me, it was rare for a top female player to continue competing after leaving the national team," Liu noted during the post-final news conference. "I genuinely love playing. I want to explore the limits of a female athlete's career, to find my own court and value, even after stepping down from the national team."

Born to a professional table tennis-playing mother, Liu picked up a paddle at a very young age and quickly demonstrated remarkable talent. By 2005, the 14-year-old prodigy had been selected for the national A-team.