Feature: A diplomat of friendship -- how a Chinese table tennis coach nurtured overseas talents

Veteran table tennis coach Han Hua has had a distinguished coaching career in China, Tunisia, and France.

by Sportswriter Hu Jiali

PARIS, July 26 (Xinhua) -- With a pair of spectacles perched on his nose, 66-year-old Han Hua regaled tales from his illustrious table tennis coaching career, showcased in a vibrant collage of photos capturing his triumphs in China, Tunisia and France.

Born in 1958, Han's passion for table tennis started at a young age. A potent mix of raw talent and relentless dedication propelled him to junior tournament victories and eventually a coveted spot in the national team.

China has dispatched a cadre of coaches across sports like table tennis, badminton, gymnastics and diving to bolster the competitive prowess of nations far and wide since the 1950s. Among them, Han embarked on a 12-year coaching odyssey in Tunisia in 1984. He swiftly acclimatized to the local way of life, relishing both the flavors of Chinese and local cuisine with equal gusto.

"I immersed myself in Tunisian culture, embracing their cuisine and even mastering fluent French," said Han, recounting his two-year stint at a language school and the rapid progress he made through daily interactions with his team.

Under his tutelage, Tunisia's table tennis team dazzled the African continent, culminating in a historic milestone as four Tunisian paddlers clinched spots in the 1988 Olympics, representing a quarter of the continent's quota.

After the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Han returned to China to coach the national team, tutoring a generation of prodigies who would go on to clinch world titles and Olympic glory, including Wang Hao, Kong Linghui, Guo Yue and Chen Meng.

Renowned for his bilingual proficiency and profound understanding of the sport, Han earned accolades from his peers and athletes alike.

"He is very talented. If I coached abroad, I wouldn't pass the language barrier," said Li Sun, head coach of China's national table tennis team. "He also has a deep understanding of table tennis and is greatly loved by colleagues and athletes."

In the 1990s, France's table tennis was basking in a golden era, spearheaded by the indomitable Jean-Philippe Gatien, whose rise as Olympic runner-up and world champion heralded a period of French dominance in the sport.

The France team, comprising Gatien, Patrick Chila, Christophe Legout and Damien Eloi, achieved remarkable feats at the World Cup and World Championships.

However, as the veterans retired in the early 21st century, a lull descended upon the once-mighty squad, prompting the French Table Tennis Federation to seek a savior in 2013 to restore the nation to its former glory.

Han, with his rich experience, coaching acumen, and fluency in French, stood out as the ideal candidate.

"From Monday to Saturday, my training regimen in France mirrored the intensity of my days in China," Han said. "I always stood tall during training sessions. No matter how tired I was, I never sat down throughout the six-hour daily session. I came to improve their prowess, so I needed to spare no effort to help them grow as soon as possible."

After three years of relentless dedication, Han finally achieved his goal as France's men's team delivered their most outstanding performance in four decades -- Emmanuel Lebesson clinched the men's singles title, while Simon Gauzy secured the silver medal at the 2016 European Championships.

After successfully leading the team to the 2016 Rio Olympics, Han transitioned into an assistant coaching role, paving the way for aspiring young French coaches.

However, fate took an unexpected turn before the 2018 World Championships when Han suffered a cerebral infarction in France.

He returned home to China after the Tokyo Olympics and embarked on renovating his long-abandoned house. Reflecting on his journey, Han said, "I was at a crossroads. Despite numerous coaching offers from many countries, I realized the importance of prioritizing my health."

As this year marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, Han emphasized the significance of the enduring bond between the two nations in table tennis.

"The old generation of Chinese paddlers competed and coached in France, bringing out many top players. I hope China and France continue to collaborate in various fields in the future and experience cultural exchanges together," he said. ■