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.