Despite her loss, Syrian table tennis player Hind Zaza, 12, makes history at Tokyo Olympics

The 12-year-old Syrian table tennis player Hind Zaza exited the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday after losing her first-round match 4-0 to Austrian veteran Liu Jia, 39.

Despite her loss, the Syrian table tennis star managed to make history and caught media’s focus in the Olympics as the youngest athlete to take part in this important international sport event.

“It was very tough mentally to be prepared for the Olympics but I think I somehow managed to overcome this, and this is the part that I think I did the best during the match,” Zaza told reporters following her defeat.

“The main lesson was the loss of this match, especially in the first match. So next time, I will be working hard to pass the first, second, third round, because I want to play more in this competition,” she added.

On her part, the Austrian player Liu said that “I had to remind myself not to underestimate her,”. She called Zaza “a great talent” with good rhythm and instincts who simply needed more experience.

Even the difficult circumstances, resulted from the terrorist war and the brutal western sanctions imposed on Syria, couldn’t prevent Hind Zaza from pursuing and realizing her Olympic dream.

According to Zaza table tennis has provided her with an escape from all the suffering and pain of the war and also gave her the strength to face the challenges of life.

After her loss she had a message for other kids.

She said: “For the last five years I’ve been through many different experiences, especially with the war happening around the country, with the postponement with funding for the Olympics, and it was very tough,” she said. “But I had to fight for it and this is my message to everyone who wishes to have the same situation. Fight for your dreams, try hard, regardless of the difficulties that you’re having, and you will reach your goal.”

Reactions to Zaza’s loss poured from her country, encouraging her to continue fighting for her dreams.

One of these supporting reactions was made by Fares Al-Shehabi, Chaiman of the Board of the Federation of the Syrian Chambers of Industry. He wrote on his facebook account: “Dear beautiful Hind, Your loss is your first and most important step towards future victory! Losses can only make you stronger.. We are proud of you, and you are definitely destined for a great future..! You are an inspiration to all of us.”

Hamda Mustafa