The Chinese coach who teaches table tennis to the world

PARIS — With a pair of spectacles perched on his nose, 66-year-old Han Hua told tales of his illustrious table tennis coaching career, brandishing photos that captured his triumphs in China, Tunisia and France.

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

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

"I immersed myself in Tunisian culture, embracing their cuisine and even mastering French," says 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 when four Tunisian players clinched spots in the 1988 Olympics, a quarter of the continent's quota at the time.

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

Known for his language proficiency and deep understanding of the sport, Han has earned accolades from peers and athletes alike.

"He is very talented. If I coached abroad, I wouldn't get past the language barrier," says Li Sun, head coach of the 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 was basking in a golden era of table tennis 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 French team, comprised of Gatien, Patrick Chila, Christophe Legout and Damien Eloi, achieved remarkable feats in the World Cup and World Championships.

However, as they retired in the early years of this century, a lull descended on 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 plentiful 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 says. "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 improve as soon as possible."

After three years of relentless dedication, Han finally achieved his goal as the French men's team delivered its 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, he 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 he suffered a cerebral infarction.

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

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

"The old generation of Chinese players competed and coached in France, bringing out many top players. I hope China and France continue to collaborate in the future and experience cultural exchange together," he says.