hanghai International Studies University (SISU) invited two world table tennis champions to communicate with students and faculty recently, aiming to inspire their passion for sports.

Liu Wei, who has won seven gold medals in international competitions from 1980 to 1996, gave students a lecture on the connection between table tennis and the spirit of sport.

Liu has gained a deeper understanding of the spirit of “champion” since she started teaching at the Department of Physical Education of Peking University.

“Anyone who does their best in various fields can be regarded as a champion,” she said. 

As to how to promote table tennis worldwide, Liu emphasized the potential influence of sports stars on the general public. She said she hoped that students could learn from those sports stars who have positive energy.

“The existence of those world champions is a power,” said Zheng Lixiang, a third-year SISU student. She began to play table tennis as a child, and her favorite players are Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha. “Every time I watch their matches, I feel more motivated to practice and improve my skills.”

Liu was appointed as Distinguished Professor at SISU and was given a certificate at the end of the lecture by Liu Hairong, director of the Faculty for Physical Education.

Another world champion Feng Tianwei, who won a bronze in the 2012 Olympic Games women's table tennis singles, also interacted with students in the lecture.

When asked about how to better overcome mental pressure in face of challenges, Feng said that it was the spirit of pursuing excellence which she had learned from the table tennis team before that supported her to continue further study after retirement.

Before the lecture, she also engaged in a friendly game with several faculty members and students, showing her professional skills up close.

SISU’s faculty and students appreciated the arrival of champions and its positive impact on SISU students.  

A men’s basketball coach Qi Hongbo said: “Although the short competition may not quickly improve our technical skills, the face-to-face communication with world champions can stimulate students’ interest in sports activities.”

“That is all about the power of an example,” added another participant Zheng Yurun, who is also the captain of SISU’s table tennis team.