The Chinese Table Tennis Association has released a statement confirming that Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng have withdrawn from the world rankings. Prior to this, both Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng chose to announce their decisions by issuing statements, but Ma Long did not. The outside world only learned of Ma Long's decision to withdraw from the world rankings through the statement issued by the Chinese Table Tennis Association. So, is Ma Long's low-key withdrawal right or wrong?
Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, and Chen Meng are all well-known players in the national table tennis team. They have won 3, 6, and 4 Olympic gold medals respectively, totaling 13 Olympic gold medals. Their historical status is unquestionable. Previously, Chen Meng and Fan Zhendong issued statements announcing their withdrawal from the world rankings, which had a significant impact, with many international athletes also posting messages in support of the two singles champions at the Paris Olympics.
However, the outside world has been waiting for Ma Long's decision, but there has been no announcement from the Dragon Team. It was only through the statement issued by the Chinese Table Tennis Association that we learned of Ma Long's decision to withdraw.
Some netizens believe that Ma Long is still very low-key and did not choose to openly confront WTT and Liu Guoliang. Such a choice is also beyond reproach, after all, athletes have the right to make their own choices. There are also netizens who think that originally hoped that Ma Long could stand shoulder to shoulder with Chen Meng and Fan Zhendong to oppose the inhumane teasing of WTT. Now it seems that Ma Long has chosen a compromise plan. He has indeed withdrawn, but he has also left some face for WTT and Liu Guoliang.
A paragraph in the statement also indirectly confirms that the three Olympic champions will not be able to participate in international competitions. The Table Tennis Association stated in the statement: "Regardless of whether they choose to return to the international arena in the future, we will provide them with the greatest support to ensure that they maintain good form in training and domestic events." In other words, Ma Long, Chen Meng, and Fan Zhendong will no longer be able to participate in international competitions. Even though they have won a total of 13 Olympic gold medals, they can only appear in domestic events in the future. This is because participating in international competitions requires relying on world rankings, and since the three have withdrawn from the rankings, they will not have the corresponding opportunities for international competitions and can only play in domestic arenas, which is also very regrettable!