Gui Lin (Chinese: 林桂; pinyin: Lín Guì, born 1 October 1993 in Nanning, China)[2] is a table tennis player from Brazil. She was naturalized as a Brazilian in 2012[3] and was selected to be part of the Brazilian National Team competing in table tennis at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She was awarded 2 silver medals in her sport during the 2015 Pan American Games. She currently trains under the supervision of Pan-American Medalist Hugo Hoyama. She also holds Chinese nationality.

Gui Lin
Nationality Brazil
Born (1993-10-01) 1 October 1993 (age 31)
Nanning, Guangxi, China
Highest ranking87 (1 June 2019)[1]
Medal record
Women's table tennis
Representing  Brazil
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 2015 Toronto Singles
Silver medal – second place 2015 Toronto Team
Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Cartagena de Indias Team
Silver medal – second place 2017 Cartagena de Indias Mixed doubles
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Cartagena de Indias Doubles
Latin American Championships
Gold medal – first place 2016 San Juan Singles
Gold medal – first place 2016 San Juan Team
Gold medal – first place 2015 Buenos Aires Singles
Gold medal – first place 2015 Buenos Aires Doubles

Personal life

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Lin has been living in Brazil since the age of 12 as an exchange student and naturalized Brazilian at the age of 18. She speaks fluent Portuguese and identifies with Brazilian culture, claiming to be "Brazilian at heart from birth".[4] She currently lives in São Bernardo do Campo where she trains with Hugo Hoyama, who, like her, identifies with soccer team Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras.[5] She held a relationship with soccer player Chen Zhizhao.[6]

Criticism

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She has been the target of criticism for being selected over Jessica Yamada to be the third player on the Brazilian Team for the 2012 Olympic Games[7] despite being lower-ranked at the time. The Brazilian Team coach argued that his choice for Lin was technical, stating that Lin was currently the best Brazilian player overall and was lower-ranked due to injuries in the previous season, which made her unable to play and consequently dropping positions on the ranking.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking Women's Singles 2018". Table tennis guide. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  2. ^ "BBC Sport, London 2012 Olympics, Lin Gui Profile". BBC Sport, London 2012 Olympics. 13 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Brasil lleva a Londres a jugadora de tenis de mesa china recién nacionalizada" (in Spanish). Fox News Latino. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  4. ^ Camilla Muniz (10 June 2012). "Chinesa de nascimento, Gui Lin vai representar o tênis de mesa do Brasil nas Olimpíadas de Londres". Globo.com. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  5. ^ "VÍDEO: Chinesa imigra para o Brasil, vira palmeirense e quer ir às olímpiadas jogar tênis de mesa". ESPN – Estadao. 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  6. ^ "Encostado no Corinthians, Zizao engata namoro com atleta do Palmeiras". Terra Esportes. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Tempero gringo" (in Portuguese). Brasil 247. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  8. ^ Marcos Rodrigo (21 May 2012). "Chinesa rebate polêmica, cita lesão e se vê pronta para ajudar Brasil" (in Portuguese). Terra Esportes. Retrieved 8 July 2012.