On December 26th, Beijing time, Liu Guoliang announced his focus on nurturing new talent, leaving an unexpected suspense in the new cycle. What kind of training does he plan to provide for the core ace stars of China's national table tennis team? We all know that in the new cycle, Chairman Liu Guoliang has made a clear statement during an interview, which is to cultivate newcomers. He has even thought out a four-step strategic plan for cultivating newcomers. The first step is to give young people more opportunities in 2025; the second step is for young people to gradually mature in 2026; the third step is to enter a sprint stage in 2027; and the fourth step is to start Olympic preparations in 2028, the year of the Los Angeles Olympics. There's no problem with starting to prepare to promote newcomers. However, under this background, when Liu Guoliang speaks these words, has he overlooked something? That is, the players they regard as the middle generation, can they only play a bridging role? Is it possible that they should receive more training? For the veterans, Liu Guoliang has already shown his stance, saying that in the new cycle, there will be a restructuring within the national table tennis team, including adjustments to coaches and players, and a renewal of blood. From the aspect of age, changes may need to be made to the national table tennis team, meaning that many veterans may not have too many opportunities. The strategy for cultivating young people is already very clear. However, you've overlooked a…

On December 27th, Beijing time, Fan Zhendong announced on social media that he would withdraw from the world rankings. He also informed the public that he did not know when he would retire and revealed the injuries and various pressures he experienced during the Paris Olympic cycle. Constrained by the new WTT regulations requiring fines for non-participation, he made the decision to withdraw from the competition, followed shortly after by Chen Meng who also released related content. The withdrawal of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng is indeed for a reason, and the national table tennis team has turned misfortune into good fortune, receiving two pieces of good news, which Liu Guoliang has been waiting for. Analyzing Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng's withdrawal from the event. First, according to this week's world ranking released by the International Table Tennis Federation, Fan Zhendong is currently ranked sixth in the world with eight valid points, five of which are assigned zero points. The world ranking is completely linked to commercial matches. The 2025 schedule is also very dense, and even an ironman would find it difficult to hold on, let alone Fan Zhendong, who was heavily consumed at the Paris Olympics. With the decision to deduct money for non-participation in the 2025 schedule, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng were unable to bear the burden and were in a semi-retirement state, announcing their withdrawal. The WTT ranking was also a helpless move. For Fan Zhendong himself, he had previously mentioned retirement, and Wang Hao had given him a long vacation to adjust himself. During…

In the global sport of table tennis, the Chinese national team is undoubtedly a legendary presence. From the days of "ping-pong diplomacy" to the recent Olympic gold medal grand slam, the Chinese team has won worldwide attention and respect with its remarkable skills, tenacious fighting spirit, and profound cultural heritage. However, following the successful conclusion of the Paris Olympics, the overwhelming dominance of the Chinese team seems to have once again become a focal point for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Recently, a series of new regulations introduced by the ITTF has sparked extensive discussion among fans, with many questioning whether the Chinese team is receiving "special attention." Looking back at the Paris Olympics, the Chinese team was undoubtedly the brightest star. They won championships in all five events: men's singles, women's singles, men's team, women's team, and mixed doubles, demonstrating unparalleled dominance. Top players like Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Sun Yingsha used their exquisite techniques and indomitable fighting spirit to write a new chapter of glory for the Chinese team. However, it is precisely this dominance that has made the Chinese team a "key focus" in the ITTF's rule adjustments. In recent years, to balance the gap in table tennis standards between countries, the ITTF has frequently revised competition rules, from racket materials to game balls, and from ranking systems to entry qualifications, making significant adjustments. These changes have undoubtedly posed challenges to the Chinese team but also spurred them to develop stronger fighting spirit and adaptability. However, a new regulation recently introduced by the…

Since the Li Tie case erupted like a thunderbolt in the Chinese sports world last year, an unprecedented anti-corruption storm has swept across the entire sports circle. Countless corrupt elements have been exposed and severely punished by law, from grassroots coaches to high-level leaders. Now, with the official arrest of Gou Zhongwen, the former director of the General Administration of Sport, this protracted anti-corruption struggle has finally reached a shocking conclusion.‌ As one of the highest leaders in the Chinese sports world, Gou Zhongwen was once seen as a beacon of hope for the development of the sports industry. However, over time, his true colors gradually emerged, causing shock and disbelief. During his tenure as director of the Sports General Administration, Gou Zhongwen not only failed to lead Chinese sports to new heights but also used his power to engage in a series of actions that hindered the development of the sports industry, especially in the field of table tennis, the national sport, where his actions aroused public outrage.‌ Looking back at history, we can easily see that before Gou Zhongwen took office, Cai Zhenhua was the sports director candidate who was highly anticipated. As a legendary figure in the table tennis world, Cai Zhenhua not only excelled in his playing skills but also led the Chinese table tennis team to achieve remarkable results on the international stage after his retirement with his outstanding leadership abilities. Under his leadership, the Chinese table tennis team produced wave after wave of top players such as Ma Long, Zhang Jike, and Ding Ning,…

Liu Guoliang, a shining name in the world of table tennis, has recently found himself at the center of public opinion. Some praise his remarkable achievements, while others question his coaching philosophy, and there are even those who predict his dismissal. Throughout his career as both a player and coach, Liu Guoliang has made significant contributions to Chinese table tennis. He has led the national team to numerous honors and created countless legends. However, at the peak of his success, he faces an unprecedented challenge. The open criticism from famous sports figure He Xiaolong has placed Liu Guoliang in the eye of the storm, sparking discussions about the future development of Chinese table tennis. Once the pride of the national team, Liu Guoliang has now become a focal point of controversy. This transformation evokes a sense of pity and prompts us to ponder how one's merits and demerits should be evaluated, and how we should view past glories amidst current challenges. Some argue that Liu Guoliang's era has passed, and he should step down gracefully. Others believe he remains the best candidate for Chinese table tennis and should continue to lead the team forward. Only time can provide the answer to this debate. He Xiaolong's criticism extends beyond Liu Guoliang personally, targeting the "fan culture" phenomenon within the national team. This invasion of entertainment culture casts a shadow over the pure realm of sports competition and adds extra pressure on the athletes. The fervent pursuit of stardom by fans sometimes crosses boundaries, causing disruptions in the athletes' lives and training,…

On December 26th, Beijing time, a shocking revelation emerged as the Chinese Table Tennis Team (CTTA) announced their lineup for the Singapore Grand Slam, which notably excluded Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng. Liu Guoliang, the head coach, has been promoting four new players, but three of them are not exactly newcomers! The CTTA unexpectedly released the participant list for the Singapore Grand Slam, the first top-tier event in 2025, which has sparked significant controversy. Let's take a look: On the women's singles side, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Chen Xintong, and Wang Yidi are uncontroversial choices. However, the remaining two spots went to Qian Tianyi and He Zhuojia. For the men's team, Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun, and Lin Gaoyuan are solid picks, but the last two spots were awarded to Xiang Peng and Zhou Qihao. This means that Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, two superstars of the national table tennis team, have been excluded from this Grand Slam event, likely facing another "zero assignment" fate. With Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Ma Long all stripped of their participation rights for the Singapore Grand Slam, four adverse impacts and questions have arisen. Firstly, it is baffling that two newly crowned Olympic champions did not receive the opportunity to compete. While Ma Long, at 36 years old, may be looking to gradually retire, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng are fresh off their Olympic victories. Their competitive form is undoubtedly at its peak; it's implausible that they would decline significantly within just half a year. Now, they are not allowed to participate…

The field of national table tennis has recently received significant news. In an interview, Liu Guoliang revealed that the national table tennis team will initiate a large-scale adjustment and transformation, which is referred to as a "major blood renewal." Reflecting on the period after the Paris Olympics, two young players who have emerged, Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu, have been in a state of uncertainty regarding their head coach arrangements, resulting in instability. Now, with this blood renewal plan being made public, many fans are eagerly anticipating that they can quickly obtain exclusive coaches that align with their development. National table tennis has always occupied a dominant position in the world of table tennis; however, even the most glorious teams need to keep pace with the times. The "major blood renewal" plan proposed by Liu Guoliang is precisely focused on long-term planning for the future. For Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu, their recent performances have been widely recognized. Wang Chuqin's forehand attack is incredibly sharp, often able to seal the deal at critical moments; Wang Manyu's backhand strong attack makes opponents fearful and is highly lethal on the court. However, despite their limitless potential, these two players have experienced a lack of systematic and targeted training due to the uncertainty of their head coaches. Liu Guoliang is well aware of this issue. He revealed in the interview that this change will comprehensively consider the compatibility between coaches and athletes. On one hand, the coaching team will conduct an in-depth analysis of Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu's technical characteristics. For example,…

Liu Guoliang Breaks Silence! Directly Responds to "Dismissal" Rumors, Admits National Table Tennis Team Will Have a "Big Move"‌ Since the end of the "Paris Olympics," He Xiaolong has seemingly become obsessed with the national table tennis team. Not only did he criticize the mentality issues of the "Sha Tou" combination, but he also questioned the gold medal's worthiness of Chen Meng in the Olympic singles event. Moreover, He Xiaolong attacked Liu Guoliang, claiming that he is the biggest "fan circle leader" in the table tennis circle. Faced with He Xiaolong's repeated "ridiculous remarks," Liu Guoliang finally broke his silence! Recently, rumors about Liu Guoliang's "dismissal" have caused a stir on the internet. He Xiaolong's remarks instantly ignited the fuse of public opinion, sparking heated discussions across various sectors. However, his words were not groundless. In recent years, the Table Tennis Association has been ineffective in managing fan culture. He Xiaolong first criticized the slow and ineffective actions in rectifying fan culture. Then he hinted at the confusion in the management of the Table Tennis Association and the imminent change of leadership. This pushed the heat of public opinion to new heights. In fact, this was not the first time He Xiaolong made "sharp comments." During the Paris Olympics, Chen Meng's victory in the women's singles championship elicited cheers. However, He Xiaolong's discordant voice resonated at this moment. He repeatedly questioned the value of Chen Meng's Olympic singles gold medal. He even implied that Chen Meng had someone protecting her from above. Comparing her to predecessors like Deng Yaping and…

Recently, Xinhua News Agency's sports department selected the top ten Chinese athletes of 2024, including Ma Long, the Chinese gymnastics team, Deng Yawen, Deng Zhixuan, Quan Hongchan, Yang Jiayu, Zheng Qinwen, Sheng Lihao, Jiang Yuyan, and Pan Zhanle! Although most netizens support the list of China's top ten athletes, some have raised questions about why Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin, table tennis players, did not appear on the list. In the view of some netizens, as core players and traffic magnets for the national table tennis team, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin are not lacking in any aspect and should logically be included in the list of China's top ten best athletes. It cannot be denied that Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin indeed have high popularity and performed very well in the 2024 season. However, to be included in the list of China's top ten athletes, they still fall short! Observant netizens may have noticed that most of the athletes selected for the list made history at the Olympics or their victories had special significance, such as Jiang Yuyan winning seven gold medals, breaking two world records and three Paralympic records; at the closing ceremony, Jiang Yuyan and male track and field athlete Di Dongdong served as flag bearers for the Chinese delegation; and Yang Jiayu, who won the gold medal in the women's 20km race walk final at the Paris Olympics with a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 54 seconds, becoming a grand slam champion with Olympic, World Championship, Asian Games, National Games titles, and world records.…

On December 25th, Beijing time, Deng Yaping gave Sun Yingsha advice on her pursuit of the Grand Slam, with the first sentence being particularly impactful. It seems as though she was not only speaking to Yingsha but also to Liu Guoliang and Ma Lin. In this new cycle for Sun Yingsha, the team's tasks and national responsibilities have been fulfilled; she has secured the mixed doubles championship and retained the women's team Olympic gold medal. Should she now pursue her own dream and aim for the Grand Slam? What does she need to achieve this? Deng Yaping, a legendary figure in Chinese table tennis and a member of the historical Grand Slam winners, provided some suggestions to Yingsha on how to attain the Grand Slam. Beyond technical advice, her first suggestion to Sun Yingsha was: "I hope that in the new year, Sun Yingsha will ensure her health and take good care of her body." For athletes, maintaining high-level performance requires one crucial condition: good health, which is a key point. Deng Yaping's first statement is not just directed at Sun Yingsha; it is largely intended for Liu Guoliang and Ma Lin. To realize what Deng Yaping has said, what is needed is to allow Sun Yingsha to focus on her events, manage her energy wisely, and provide her with logistical support while making sensible choices about competitions. Not all competitions must be attended by her; should she participate in every event just to sell tickets, disregarding the athlete's health? With 27 major competitions in 2025, can she attend them…