Guangzhou hosted the closing ceremonies of the National Twelfth Games for Persons with Disabilities and the Ninth Special Olympics on December 9th, where a husband-and-wife team from Guangxi province achieved a stunning upset in table tennis. Luo zhenbang and Huang Mengping secured the gold medal in the hearing impaired mixed doubles event, defeating a highly-ranked pair that included Olympic champions Wang Cong and Wang Zhe with a score of 3-1. The victory represents the Guangxi delegation’s first gold of the Games and a testament to years of dedication and teamwork.
中新网广州12月9日电 题：金牌献给彼此！乒乓“夫妻档”残特奥会夺冠 演绎“最美默契”
作者 张广权 韦杰夫 陈楚红
当最后一记回球精准落台，比分定格在3:1。罗振邦与黄梦萍同时转身，举起右手，用力击掌，随即紧紧相拥。
12月9日，全国第十二届残疾人运动会暨第九届特殊奥林匹克运动会乒乓球听力残疾组混合双打项目在广州落下帷幕。来自广西的“夫妻档”组合罗振邦/黄梦萍经过四局激战，战胜对手，将金牌收入囊中。陈楚红 摄
A husband-and-wife team from Guangxi province captured gold in the table tennis hearing impaired mixed doubles event at the National Twelfth Games for Persons with Disabilities and the Ninth Special Olympics, which concluded December 9th in Guangzhou. Luo Zhenbang and Huang Mengping overcame a formidable opponent – a duo including Olympic champion Wang Cong and Wang Zhe – to claim the top spot with a 3-1 victory. The win marked the first gold medal for the Guangxi delegation at this year’s Games.
“We knew our opponents were very strong and well-known,” Huang Mengping expressed through sign language. “But once we were on the court, we didn’t think about their titles. We just focused on playing each ball well and how to work together.”
“Our opponents are Olympic champions, so a gold medal wasn’t originally in our plans,” Luo Zhenbang added. “We decided to play freely, encourage each other, and rely on our synergy.”
12月9日，全国第十二届残疾人运动会暨第九届特殊奥林匹克运动会乒乓球听力残疾组混合双打项目在广州落下帷幕。来自广西的“夫妻档”组合罗振邦/黄梦萍经过四局激战，战胜对手，将金牌收入囊中。 陈楚红 摄
When asked about the significance of the gold medal, Luo Zhenbang stated, “I want to dedicate this medal to my wife. She has always supported and believed in me, especially when I was struggling and facing difficulties.”
“We’ve experienced lows together, and we’ve shared the joy of victory together,” Huang Mengping said. “This medal is the best gift we could give each other. It tells everyone, and tells ourselves, that nothing is impossible.”
The story of Huang Mengping and Luo Zhenbang began with table tennis. They met during training, and their connection blossomed into a romance in 2014, culminating in marriage in 2019. They’ve been a mixed doubles partnership for twenty years, competing in numerous major events together.
“Table tennis is our ‘matchmaker,’ and it’s the most common language between us,” Luo Zhenbang reflected. He credited his wife’s extensive experience and patient guidance with helping him improve consistently. The pair has always encouraged each other and never given up their passion for the sport.
图为两人合影留念。陈楚红 摄
Looking ahead, Huang Mengping expressed, “We will continue to train and improve together. As long as our bodies allow, we hope to compete on even bigger stages.”
“In the final, facing experienced and decorated opponents, Huang Mengping and Luo Zhenbang showed no fear and played even more freely,” their coach, Xiong Wei, revealed. The pre-match strategy centered on taking the initiative and maximizing the seamless coordination between the couple.
“They not only executed the plan perfectly today, but they even exceeded expectations. The focus and energy generated by their mutual trust compensated for some technical gaps,” Xiong Wei said.
“People use their ears to hear the ball and instructions, but they rely entirely on their eyes. I had to demonstrate every tactic countless times; they had to repeat every technical detail thousands of times. Every step they’ve taken to get here has been paved with sweat and even tears,” Xiong Wei stated. He described the gold medal as a pleasant surprise and the ultimate reward for their two decades of dedication. (完)
