Meet Hong Nanli: The 79‑Year‑Old Sports Photo Legend Who’s Still Going Strong
Shake off the stereotype of a one‑speed, macho‑dominated sports press corps and you’ll find someone who’s literally rewriting the rule book. Hong Nanli – a 79‑year‑old veteran photographer from Shanghai – is still snapping photos at full speed, even when her peers have long since hung up their gear.
Iron Missy of the Media
- Height & Age: 5 ft tall, 79 years old; a size you could describe as “pint‑sized powerhouse.”
- Career‑spun: Working freelance for rank‑up, and frankly, not a single “retirement” in sight.
- Power move: A “Teacher” title her crew bestows, a term of love, not just another label.
People Stop to Snap With Her
When Shanghai Shenhua beat rivals Shanghai SIPG to win the Chinese FA Cup in 2018, captain Giovanni Moreno didn’t just fist‑pump the win – he literally lifted Hong in the air for the photoshoot. That kind of candid celebration is exactly the vibe that turns her into a legend on the field.
Even NBA Legends Get Involved
While NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal spotted her on the sidelines, he took a selfie with the “legend” and posted a tribute on Weibo (“This lady is a legend in Shanghai”) – a statement that at least one points out that Hong’s fame transcends the usual man‑up‑the‑bench photo crew.
Staying Fit & Fired Up
Outside the press box, Hong leads an exercise class three times a week, so if you see the little woman weaving through a crowd, you might think she’s burning breakfast calories.
- “I once promised I’d keep going until I’m 80,” she said, “and July may bring a new milestone.”
- “I’m not even close to quitting my job. But I don’t have the energy to shoot like I used to.”
Why Hong is a Standout
In a country where folks usually retire age 55 and paparazzi rarely make a living that way, Hong stands out as someone who’s
— has a relentless passion for the field, and— contributes to the sport, capturing moments that wouldn’t otherwise get the spotlight.
Shining Behind the Lens: How a Young Women Photographer Chronicled China’s Sporting Legacies
Meet Hong Xu, a photographer whose tiny frame belies an enormous experience. From gymnastics halls to the roar of stadiums, she’s captured moments that shaped Chinese sports history.
The Adventure of a Camera‑Wielding Freelancer
- In 1979, after a gymnastics coaching career, she traded spotting tumblers for spotting trophies.
- Started at Shanghai Sports Authority’s PR department, then slipped into the freelance world.
- Her fields ranged from local leagues to international courts.
“I stay on the front lines” – A Day in Sports Photography
Picture this: the FA Cup final’s second leg, the cameras swarming, the crowd’s pulse. Hong found herself down on the field, snapping the jubilant smile of Shenhua coach Wu Jingui. The crowd’s energy was contagious; she was quickly back on her feet, ready to capture every cheer. A younger, heavier male photographer might hog the best spot, but Hong’s teammates had a trick: they’d lift her to a prime position whenever they saw she was being shoved around—a gentle reminder of her “tiny but snappy” nature.
Grace Under Pressure
She laughs when she says: “Once you’re in a sports arena, you forget yourself—you just become part of the crowds’ heartbeat.” It’s that blend of humility and fierce energy that fuels her passion for both cameras and community.
Early Gymnast, Giant Photographer
When she was a gymnast she spun on the floor until 1959, after which she became a coach of Shanghai’s women’s gymnastics team. She later judged international meets—a skill that sharpened her eye for detail, a trait that still carries through her shots today.
From Judges to Clips
In 1979 she Make a 21-year leap from judging to capturing action. “I saw Yao Ming verifying his potential as a lanky teen in the 1990s — I knew he would win on a global stage.” She’s now that sweet salty moment when Yao announces his retirement in 2011. As a trophy presenter, thanks to her golden snapshot, she was the only woman who brought her photos into a hall made of gold.
Legacy in the Lens
Today, Hong is employed as a freelance photographer for an airline’s in-flight magazine. It’s still her passion to keep documenting the raw history of sports in her hometown of Shanghai. She counts a thrilled grin for the moment she found that captured image of Yao, remembered that tender subject anyway. “The world questions what I do in a world where other women are not as differentiated.
40 Years of Snapshots
When it’s 2018, she celebrates 40 years in her career—her 40th anniversary makes it a time to launch a photo exhibition and blue book future. Her final question: “If many are still working like me, do they see themselves as a refreshing tick?” She does. After all, she’s still turning images into gold.
In a World of Sports, She’s The 80‑Year‑Old Hero
One of her best moments fills in the headline: “Kiddic pictures have a very strong reputation.” Another pair of friends says: “You could be pulling a Guinness world record with our life story.” And she says: “I’m best in the world. There’s no better at “ my famous photography compared with strength and determination.”
