Heavyweight! Xinhua News Agency interprets Fan Zhendong's withdrawal from the World Ranking: Basically equivalent to retirement! The Internet is in an uproar
The heat surrounding the withdrawal of three Olympic champions, Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Ma Long, from the world rankings continues unabated! Recently, Xinhua News Agency interpreted the withdrawal of the three Olympic champions from the world rankings, stating that their decision is basically equivalent to retirement. This has sparked heated discussions and attention from fans and media.
The main reason for the withdrawal of the three Olympic champions from the world rankings is the new rule that fines players for not participating in competitions, which is unacceptable. Ma Long, who is already 36 years old, is also at the end of his career! In this situation, Ma Long certainly cannot participate in all competitions like young players. Therefore, he was the first Olympic champion to decide to withdraw from the world rankings due to the WTT's new rules. However, Ma Long did not officially announce it through social media. Fan Zhendong was the first to make an official announcement. After winning the Paris Olympics, Fan Zhendong did not appear on the stage of world competitions. He only participated in the National Championships and the China Super League. Fan Zhendong's reason was that the mental exertion during the Paris Olympics cycle was too great and needed adjustment. Chen Meng announced after Fan Zhendong. After the Paris Olympics, Chen Meng only recently participated in the Lao Wa Cup. She is also not young! The reasons for withdrawing from the world rankings are similar to Fan Zhendong's.
Many excellent athletes have come out in support of the three Olympic champions' withdrawal from the world rankings. European brothers Lebrun, Olympic silver medalist Moregaard, and others have spoken out in praise of Fan Zhendong and others' actions. Fans overwhelmingly support the three Olympic champions. As the chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, chairman of WTT, and first vice-chairman of the International Table Tennis Federation, Liu Guoliang has been criticized by fans. Many fans on the Internet have expressed their opinions! Some fans believe that this is Liu Guoliang forcing the three Olympic champions, Fan Zhendong, to retire.
In a recent interview, Liu Guoliang also discussed the matter of Fan Zhendong and others withdrawing from the world rankings. Liu Guoliang stated that he would communicate with WTT to further improve the rules. Regarding whether Fan Zhendong and others can participate in WTT events, Liu Guoliang said they can participate with a wild card.
When Xinhua News Agency interpreted Fan Zhendong and others' withdrawal from the world rankings, the conclusion given was basically equivalent to retirement. Everyone knows that withdrawing from the world rankings is actually a very big thing for table tennis players. Without a world ranking, there will be many hurdles when participating in international competitions, and some competitions may even start from the qualifying rounds, which is a test of the athletes' physical strength. Moreover, considering the current situation of the three, they have all achieved fame and success, and have previously expressed their desire to retire.
Now that things have developed to this point, the new rules of WTT are completely unreasonable. For the development of table tennis, it is still hoped that WTT can quickly make changes to the rules! So that more athletes can appear on the court and help promote the rapid development of table tennis! Do you agree?