As time goes by, Qiao Hong is now 54 years old, and she is no longer the same as she was when she was young. After she retired, her career has been going smoothly. She is now a little older, but her story has never ended. , is still the admirable Olympic champion.

As the saying goes, "One minute on stage, ten years of hard work off stage." As Qiao Hong, who has shined in Olympic table tennis events, she has also sacrificed a lot to win many medals on the field. The valiant and heroic appearance of the time.

As time goes by, Qiao Hong is now 54 years old, and she is no longer the same as she was when she was young. After she retired, her career has been going smoothly. She is also a little older now, but her story has always been It’s not over, he’s still the admirable Olympic champion.

The little girl started learning table tennis at the age of seven

On November 21, 1968, Qiao Hong was born in Wuhan, Hubei. When she was seven years old, she entered Nanyangfang Primary School. At that time, there was a wave of enthusiasm for playing table tennis across the country. wind.

Since Yan Fangqi, a worker at the Wuhan Inorganic Salt Factory, loved playing table tennis and happened to be a good friend of Wang Deqian, a physical education teacher at Nanyuanfang Primary School, he suggested that Wang Deqian organize a table tennis team in the school. At this time, Dong Weicheng was appointed was transferred from Wuhan Automobile Manufacturing Factory to Nanyuanfang Primary School to teach physical education, so the two of them hit it off and started working in full swing. When

first enrolled students, Qiao Hong raised her hand. After a period of observation, because of Qiao Hong's strong receptive ability, she was immediately noticed by the teacher and selected into the table tennis team, and Dong Weimei also became her coach. After

joined the table tennis team, in order to strengthen the strength of his feet and start quickly, coach Dong Weiwei painted chalk dust on the heels of Qiao Hong and her teammates and asked them to train on tiptoe. If there was chalk dust on the ground, the players whose heels landed would be kicked. Penalty; In order to ensure that Qiao Hong and her teammates' movements were standardized and standard, Dong Weifeng sawed off the four legs of the table tennis table to fit their height.

At that time, the school stipulated that the lights would be turned off at nine o'clock every night, but Qiao Hong's table tennis team would often train until very late. Most of the time, even if the lights were turned off, Qiao Hong would still train in the dark. After training, she would return home. When not in school, she and her teammates even climbed over walls to do so.

Qiao Hong has had good academic performance since she was a child, and she is also very popular with teachers. She gives the impression that she is obedient, docile, and honest, and she is also very enthusiastic. When she was in school, she often picked up and dropped off a girl in the class with her classmates. Disabled girls go to school.

As for her obedience as a child, it was not just talk. In a district-level competition, the championship was already within her grasp, but when she heard the coach asked her to give it to her opponent, even though she felt aggrieved , she still chose to listen to the adults' ideas and give up the championship she was about to win.

The growth path of an Olympic champion is destined not to be so smooth. While Qiao Hong was studying and practicing hard to compete, an episode also occurred.

Once, after a parent-teacher meeting at school, Qiao Hong's head teacher stayed with her mother to communicate alone. The main purpose of this was to suggest that Qiao Hong give up playing football, because based on Qiao Hong's grades, the school could directly recommend her to a foreign language school. , upon hearing the teacher’s words, Qiao Hong’s mother was also a little shaken.

Considering that her daughter’s training was very hard and she was also afraid that playing ball would delay her daughter’s study, Qiao Hong’s mother did not allow Qiao Hong to continue playing. After Qiao Hong listened to her mother’s words, she sadly ran to her father Qiao Dayou, In the end, it was with the advice and persuasion of coaches Dong Weiwei and Huang Qingwei that Qiao Dayou decided to continue to support his daughter in practicing football.

However, he was also worried that practicing football would affect his daughter's study, so while making concessions, he also made a request, that is, Qiao Hong could not score less than 85 points in each exam, otherwise she would have to interrupt her practice. Qiao Hong was able to continue her table tennis journey.

Through persistence all the way, in 1980, Qiao Hong finally entered the provincial team by virtue of her second place in table tennis singles at the national amateur sports school, and began to devote herself wholeheartedly to her table tennis career.

It’s not love, it comes from responsibility

Qiao Hong doesn’t particularly like table tennis. When she was in school, her teacher took a fancy to her, so she picked up the racket, and this was just because of the words of the enlightenment coach: " Qiao Hong has a good foundation, and once she gets up, she can persist for a long time." This sentence was very weighty in the ears of Qiao Hong's father. For this sentence, his daughter Qiao Hong persisted.

Well-behaved children are always lovable, and Qiao Hong is such a well-behaved child. Along the way of playing, school teachers, amateur sports school coaches, and provincial team coach Feng Mengya are all very kind to Qiao Hong, and Qiao Hong and Chen Jing and Hu Xiaoxin were also known as the "Three Musketeers of Hubei", but later the other two entered the national team, and only Qiao Hong remained in the province at that time.

and , she has been unable to join the national team. This is not because she is not good at skills, but because every time the national team coach watches her play, she becomes extremely nervous and often misses the key at critical moments. Therefore, is better than The other two entered the national team later.

For Qiao Hong, she was actually under a lot of pressure at that time. Everyone who lived in the same yard knew that she was playing basketball. If she couldn't make a name for herself, her parents would be disgraced. .

Every weekend, if Qiao Hong loses, she doesn’t want to go home. Although her father never beats or scolds her, the ideological education that often lasts more than an hour makes her feel a little heavy. During that period Over time, her parents' face became the biggest pressure on Qiao Hong's heart.

At the same time, in the provincial team, her coach still encouraged her as always. The director of the Hubei Provincial Sports Commission at that time also specially found male players to be Qiao Hong's sparring partner.

"The director of the sports committee came to see me twice a week and stood by the track and field to watch me run. At that time, I felt that I should work hard, but I didn't think too much. I didn't know what kind of results I could achieve. "

Qiao Hong saw their concern and expectations. She didn't say any "big words", she just used practical actions to show her determination, train well, compete well, accumulate experience and wait for opportunities.

"I never say that I will definitely win the championship, because I don't want to put too much pressure on myself." Qiao Hong said frankly that she is not a very confident person, and it is easy to think about the way out before doing things.

At the 1987 National Games , Qiao Hong finally ushered in an important turning point in her life. With her second place in singles at the National Games, she attracted everyone's attention. With her strong strength, she successfully won the 1987 National Games. Entering the national team, her era of shining began.

In 1989, Qiao Hong participated in the World Table Tennis Championships for the first time and won the championship in one fell swoop. She successfully won the women's singles and women's doubles championships. She shocked everyone like a dark horse.

Qiao Hong was very happy to win such an award for the first time, "I'm very happy, I think that's what it takes to win a championship. I remember Director Xu said at the time, this girl came out of nowhere, and she won two championships in one win."

When Qiao Hong called home with a magnetic card to announce the good news, the first thing she said was, "Dad, I won the championship, and you have gained face. Don't expect me to win the championship again in the future."

For Qiao Hong, winning the championship is more about living up to expectations, and her constant efforts are just not to let others down. She has a happy-go-lucky nature, as if she has always lived for others.

"If it weren't for my dad, I definitely wouldn't be able to achieve this level. The moment I won the championship, I felt that I had satisfied my parents, and I didn't feel any excitement at all. Every championship I win in the future, I don't think it will be given to myself. What it brings is nothing more than making my family happy again, so every time they see me standing on the podium, they feel quite calm and have never cried. It would be better to be down there watching people raise the national flag and be excited."

In October 1994, Qiao Hong and Deng Yaping won the women's table tennis doubles championship in Barcelona. After the game, Qiao Hong proposed to retire, but as long as the leader persuaded her and did some ideological work for her, she mentioned As long as the team still needs her, Qiao Hong will not ask for any conditions to stay and fulfill her responsibilities as an athlete.

Delayed retirement and faced the choice

During the 9 years of playing for the national team, the 28-year-old Qiao Hong became a success. She became the only over-age member of the Chinese table tennis team, but she has no regrets at all. “The national team chose me, and obeying the national interests is my only choice. "

In 1993, the 42nd World Table Tennis Championships was held in Gothenburg, Sweden. Qiao Hong, who represented the national team in the team competition for the first time, and her teammate Deng Yaping, together with the Chinese team, regained the women's team championship that was lost in the 41st World Table Tennis Championships.

At this time, Qiao Hong was already 25 years old. She had won many awards and was considered successful. As usual, it was time to retire.

After returning to China, she submitted a report requesting to leave the team, but the country The leader of the sports committee approved this sentence in her report: Qiao Hong, put the interests of the country first and stay on the team for two years.

25 is the golden age to go out to play and make money. Many national table tennis players retire at this age. Then she went to look for better opportunities, but when Qiao Hong saw the instructions written by her boss in the report, she felt conflicted.

That night, she couldn't sleep all night, remembering how her whole family had fought to support her. She was good at table tennis and always left the pork she planned to supply for her own consumption; when she was selected to the provincial team by coach Feng Mengya, in order to cultivate her men's technical style, Feng Mengya used the team's funds little by little. Invite male players to serve as her sparring partners.

In the national team, the old coach Zeng Chuanqiang worked hard to improve her technical movements. When she represented the Chinese team in the World Table Tennis Championships in Dortmund for the first time, the news spread to Wuhan. At that time, the confetti left by the neighbors setting off firecrackers covered the courtyard thickly...

Qiao Hong thought a lot. Along the way, she brought too many people's expectations with her. In the end, she The application was withdrawn, and she stayed for two years.

At the 43rd World Table Tennis Championships in Tianjin, Qiao Hong and her teammates defeated the powerful teams of France, Slovakia, and defeated Romania and Japan. In the end, they defeated their old rival South Korea 3:0 and won the Corbyn Cup again for China. In the individual finals, Qiao Hong also won the silver medal in women's singles and the first place in women's doubles. Afterwards, she said she was very satisfied because She fulfilled her mission and fulfilled her responsibilities and lived up to the expectations of the motherland and the people.

During the 9 years she stayed in the national team, Qiao Hong won 11 gold medals in international competitions and became one of the pillars of the national team.

After Qiao Hong became the world champion in 1989, when she returned to Wuhan, she asked her father Qiao Dayou what gifts he needed and wanted to buy them for him. Seeing his daughter growing up, Qiao Dayou was very happy. He said to his daughter :

"I don't need any gifts. As long as you can do the two things I said, I will be satisfied. First, although you have become a champion, don't be complacent. You must be a good person and be a good person. Second, since you choose If you want to play golf, you have to keep going. Only when you play well can you be considered to have contributed to the country. "

After that, whenever Qiao Hong had something bad going on, her father's words always echoed in her ears. Later, Qiao Hong lost to Deng Yaping in the singles final and won the runner-up. Many people stood up for her. Not worth it.

Even once, when Qiao Hong was picking up her mother at the Beijing train station, a young man came over and said, "You are Qiao Hong, you are too kind, why are you not as fierce as Deng Yaping?" Now Deng Yaping always ranks first, what do you think?"

Qiao Hong smiled: "Sports competitions are always fair, whoever has the ability wins. Deng Yaping trained harder than me, she should get more than me."

As she gets older, there is always a trace of regret lingering around her. After losing to Deng Yaping at the Tianjin World Championships, 27-year-old Qiao Hong thought that she had completed her mission and was "old" and should retire. Rest.

So, she wrote a retirement report and prepared to hand it over to the leader, but when she walked into the training hall, she saw the dilemma faced by the national team. At this time, only herself and Deng Yaping were left. , Liu Wei, , etc. Although the young players have good skills, they lack experience. They are about to compete in the Atlanta Olympics. How can the national team cope with the lack of support? Moreover, the team did not mention her retirement, so Qiao Hong chose to continue playing for a while. .

So she quietly tore up the application report and quietly threw herself into training to prepare for the next game.
Qiao Hong has always been fighting on the field with various ailments. Because of injuries, Qiao Hong didn't touch a racket for two whole months before the Olympics. The coach and the leaders of the National Sports Commission were very anxious. Feng Mengya, who went to visit her, said to her, "You have to seize the opportunity of the Olympics!"

"I know. "Qiao Hong said calmly, "Director Feng, don't worry, I will definitely try my best to fight. "

Later at the Zhengding table tennis training base , Qiao Hong's condition eased slightly, so she took the time to train. Although she did not train for a long time, the quality of her practice was quite high and she maintained a good competitive state and level.

Before leaving for Atlanta, Qiao Hong was not as excited as others. She hung up the phone at home: "Dad, I'm going to the Olympics soon. I'm going to clear the way for the Chinese team to win the championship. "

At the Atlanta Olympics, Qiao Hong went all the way and made great contributions to ensure that Deng Yaping won the championship. Although she did not win the singles gold medal, she won people's respect.

After returning to Beijing from Atlanta, she accompanied her father to a shopping mall While shopping, an old man in his 60s walked up to Qiao Hong and took her hand: "Girl, you are so good, I bow to you. "After that, she bowed deeply to Qiao Hong. Facing the old man, Qiao Hong's eyes were moist.

Although Qiao Hong had won many awards and honors, there was no arrogance in her at all. In her 28-year life journey, she exchanged her youth for medals. She was worthy of her parents and her country.

Enthusiastic and straightforward, calm and restrained

After the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Qiao Hong gradually faded away. People's attention, 7 years later, when Wang Nan fell to the lowest point in his career, Qiao Hong appeared next to Wang Nan again. At the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris, Wang Nan won 3 gold medals and became the "Grand Slam" in the table tennis world. , after the game, Wang Nan said from the bottom of his heart: "I am very grateful to Qiao Hong! "

Many people have curiously asked Qiao Hong what she did to cheer up Wang Nan and kill everyone. Faced with many people's questions, Qiao Hong was very calm. She said it very simply, but all this said In the end, it all stems from her warm-heartedness.

"Actually, I really have no other choice but to be her companion. During that time, it was the most difficult for Wang Nan. She needed someone who was trustworthy and understanding. Man, I just acted as a person to talk to, and cooperated with her in this regard, trying to put her in a good mood. With fewer worries, she would naturally devote more energy to training. The key to playing basketball is to rely on herself. "

In Qiao Hong's eyes, although she won the world championship before Deng Yaping, she felt that she was poor in doubles at that time.

After forming a partnership with Deng Yaping to play doubles, she was still very nervous and felt that she should think more about it. Deng Yaping, learn to understand her, and Deng Yaping is an offensive type, while she herself is a stable type, so as long as she is responsible for getting the ball on the stage, and Deng Yaping is responsible for the offense, the two can cooperate well.

It is said that the style of play can reflect a person's character to a great extent. Qiao Hong does not have as strong a competitive spirit as Deng Yaping. She seems to be a "contented type" and she is very satisfied with her achievements. .

"Comparing the efforts of Xiao Deng and I, I think I was good enough for second place. She worked too hard. She practiced an average of one hour more than me every day. In addition to being worse than Xiao Deng, I was better than others." To be honest, I admire Xiao Deng. I don’t have her perseverance, but I don’t envy her. Maybe we pursue different things. With my personality, I feel that living like that is too tiring. I am more casual and will not force myself. First of all, Try your best, forget it if it doesn't work."

Speaking of Qiao Hong's contentment, she also thinks that she has two sides, and her contentment is also two-sided.

"Every time I win a championship, I feel quite satisfied. But when I play next time, I still want to win it, but I rarely compete with myself. You said that if I were easily satisfied, I wouldn't be able to persist for 10 years. I have Xiao Deng to guide me in doubles." When I play, her tone can influence me, but I have always been good in singles. If I were really content, I might have quit long ago."

After retiring, Qiao Hong was later sent to Japan to play in the Panasonic Electric Company team. , she was relieved of all responsibilities and pressures, where she played and coached, and lived a very leisurely life.

However, many people don't understand and even think that she wants to join an overseas team. Qiao Hong said: "I will never join a foreign team to beat the Chinese. If the national team needs me, I will come back and play for the Chinese team." If the Hubei team needs me in next year's National Games, I will do my best for my hometown."

After returning from Japan in 2000, Qiao Hong became a student at the College of Sports Science of South China Normal University in Guangzhou. Her life was very interesting. It's leisurely. Her friends often tell her to call her if she wants to eat. When she comes home, she just holds out her chopsticks. On weekends, her friends gather together to play. It's rare for her to play table tennis with others. Qiao Hong enjoys having friends like this. The feeling of "care".

After completing her studies at South China Normal University, Qiao Hong obtained a bachelor's degree in education as she wished, and has been the coach of the Chinese women's table tennis team since 2003. In 2008, she also served as an Olympic torchbearer in her hometown. Wuhan carried the torch, and later served as assistant to the president of the Guangdong Sports Technical College and director of the Table Tennis Management Center.

On September 27, 2018, according to the news released by sports reporters on social media, it can be known that Qiao Hong, who was 50 years old at the time, got married in a low-key manner. Regarding her husband’s personal information, the social platform did not publish it. I think she also enjoyed it very much. Such a low-key and happy life.

The last official news about Qiao Hong was on August 16, 2019. She was already fifty years old, wearing a blue sweatshirt, and seriously instructing local children in Pengyang on table tennis techniques. This time The activity is actually related to poverty alleviation. In the

photo, she has excellent figure management. Although there are wrinkles on her face, her temperament is still that of the former world champion.

Since then, Qiao Hong rarely appeared in public, but her former partner Deng Yaping has never forgotten this close friend.

In December 2020, when Deng Yaping participated in a TV show, she frankly expressed her deep friendship with Qiao Hong. She said with emotion: Her partner Qiao Hong is both a rival and a comrade-in-arms.

In 2021, when Deng Yaping participated in an event about talking about the Olympics, she shared an interesting story about Qiao Hong’s foot sprained when she took water during warm-up before the finals. The nostalgia and smile in her expression were enough to reflect the depth of the relationship between the two.

In 2022, Qiao Hong is already 54 years old. Her career has always been smooth. After she won a basket of medals, large and small, she has been cultivating talents for the country and dedicating herself in different positions.

Time makes people grow old. Qiao Hong, who once dominated the competition field, has also curbed her luster. Now the fine lines at the corners of her eyes are slowly appearing. She has long lost her youthful look, but there are family, friends and former Accompanied by her "comrades in arms", she still lives a happy life, she is still the pistachio with a smile on her face, the hard-working and warm-hearted big sister.

Some people say that the 54-year-old Qiao Hong is too old to be recognized, but in fact, her heart is full and hot. She faces her career and life with a positive attitude. Behind her success, there are countless things Qiao Hong has done The sacrifice of blood and tears.

Literature source:

"The True Colors of Qiao Hong" "Table Tennis World" 2003.04.03 Eve

"Qiao Hong is afraid of "sorry to the audience"" "Table Tennis World" 2000.08.03 Zhao Weizhen

"Remembering the famous table tennis player Qiao Hong: National interests are higher than Everything": Hubei Daily (Jingchu.com)