Age is no barrier for 52-year-old He Zhiwen with his legacy long secure
At 52, former China and now Spain international loses first-round singles game but he's happy he's still competing at the top level
For 52-year-old He Zhiwen of Spain, the oldest player at the world championships, an early exit in the men's singles meant little as his legacy is secure.
The former China international lost to Jakub Dyjas of Poland in seven gruelling games, despite the raucous support of fans in the country of his birth.
I did not play well in the first two games and when the match had to go to seven full games, I knew my physical condition was going to be vulnerable
"I did not play well in the first two games and when the match had to go to seven full games, I knew my physical condition was going to be vulnerable," said He, who became the oldest player to clinch an open tour title when he won the doubles championship at last month's Spanish Open.
"I did not set any target for this event. I entered because I fancied returning to look at China."
He was a member of the China national team in the 1980s before leaving for Spain in 1989.
Despite his age, he still plays professional club table tennis in France. He never represented China in the Olympic Games but made his appearance at the Athens, Beijing and London Games, all for Spain.
Asked if he would try for the Rio Games for his fourth Olympics, He just said, "I haven't thought of the Olympics yet".
