The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics due to the pandemic might not be all bad news for Syria's 11 year old table tennis prodigy Hend Zaza. The 12-month delay will give her more time to continue developing her skills, and that includes an invitation to train in China. CGTN's Zhu Xuesong has more from Damascus.

A forehand attack, backhand drive and loop from the back of the table. These table tennis techniques are smoothly performed by an 11-year-old girl.

HEND ZAZA Syrian Table Tennis Player "My name is Hend Zaza. I am 11-years-old. I play for Syria's National Table Tennis Team. Now I am training at the Al Faiha Club in Damascus, with my coach Toni, and my brother Obaida."

Born in 2009 in Syria's Hama Province, Zaza first started playing table tennis in 2014. When she was 7-years-old, she started showcasing her potential when she attended the West Asia Hopes Week Challenge, a table tennis event organised by the Asian Table Tennis Union. Impressed by Zaza's energetic performance, the coaches could never have imagined that behind the rising star is a childhood affected by bloody wars. It is table tennis that offered respite from the daily hardships that come with conflict.

HEND ZAZA 11-Year-Old Table Tennis Prodigy "During the conflict, we had a lot of difficulties, and we didn't train much, or travel between cities, so I had to face hardships. Even the paddles and balls were difficult to obtain."

However, Zaza showed courage in adversity. Electricity failure is commonplace because the war-torn country is suffering from power insufficiency. Despite this, she is able to stick to three hours of training, six days a week. Her efforts were rewarded at this year's West Asia Olympic Qualification Tournament, where she won the women's singles to pip 11-year-old skateboarder Sky Brown for the mantle of youngest Olympian at next year's Games.

HEND ZAZA Olympic Table Tennis Qualifier "That was my first time to compete at such a big sports event. I won the title, which was beyond my expectations, and I was so happy."

TONI ABO ASALI Syrian National Team Coach "Syria has been suffering from war since 2011, but the country's athletes, and especially the table tennis players, are able to overcome this, and achieve great things like Hend has done."

HEND ZAZA 11-Year-Old Table Tennis Prodigy "I like Ding Ning because she has good manners and she is kind. I cannot find a better idol."

Now, Zaza has the chance to meet her idol, after the Chinese Olympic Committee invited her to China for training with the country's top players.

HEND ZAZA Olympic Table Tennis Qualifier "I feel so excited and I can't wait to go to China. Hopefully my world ranking will improve after the training."

ZHU XUESONG Damascus "The COVID-19 outbreak has put a question mark against the chances of Tokyo 2020 going ahead, but for Hend Zaza, the Games are not her ultimate goal. The Olympic Spirit and love for table tennis have encouraged her to overcome difficulties from her childhood, which will continue to provide some much-needed inspiration. Zhu Xuesong, CGTN, Damascus."