Ping Pong Romance: Sport helps bridge cultural divide

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We wrap things up in the US capital with a nice story of the power of sport to bring people together. In Washington DC, a couple from China have opened the only full time ping pong center in the city, and are using the game to bridge the cultural divide between America and China. CGTN's Jim Spellman has their table tennis tale.

Duan Changping and Charlene Liu fell in love while at University in China, in love with each other, and with ping pong.

CHARLENE LIU TABLE TENNIS COACH "He always won. I could not get 5 points against him at that time."

They taught table tennis in China and later moved to the U.S. near Washington DC and continued teaching and playing. Jim: "I see a lot of awards. Who won more awards " Changping: "She did." Jim: "Are you better " Charlene: "No I won women, he won men! Ha ha!"

Table tennis is an intense, fast paced sport. But for the players locked in a close match, time seems to slow down, the stresses of life seem to disappear.

"When I play the game I need to concentrate. I can't think too much. If I think too much I can't play."

It's hard for them to imagine a life without ping pong.

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "And they hope to spread their love of table tennis here in the United States."

But they were surprised to learn there was no full time table tennis facility in the US capital city, so three years ago they opened the Washington DC Table Tennis Center.

"People love it. People, when they come, and they think table tennis is very good for their health."

They started from nothing and now hundreds of people come to play each month: Players of all ages, from many backgrounds-- and they have a bigger goal.

Jim Question : "Do you think ping pong has the potential to bring people together from the United States and China" Changping: "Yeah, I think so."

DUAN CHANGPING TABLE TENNIS COACH "When people play ping pong they have one common language: Ping Pong. They can talk about technique, famous players, and in a short time become good friends."

And it seems to be working. Mossa Barandao took up ping pong a few years ago. As his interest in the sport grew so did his interest in China. He has been studying Mandarin.

"I love playing table tennis."

And he hopes to visit China. He says he admires the dedication and drive of Chinese table tennis players.

MOSSA BARANDAO TABLE TENNIS PLAYER "It was that notion that drove me to say I'm not only going to play the game, I want to seek to understand more about the culture."

Charlene and Changping hope more Americans have similar experiences.

CHARLENE LIU TABLE TENNIS COACH "We are very proud because we are Chinese, we open the club and people think, oh China table tennis is very great. You must be great also! Ha ha." Jim Spellman CGTN Washington.