Face-off? Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng Forced to Withdraw, Confront Liu Guoliang with a Firm Statement, True Reasons Exposed
On December 27th, at 11:11 AM, under the scorching sun, Fan Zhendong, the grand slam winner of the national table tennis team, published a shocking message on social media! WTT has introduced a new rule that fines players for not participating in events! This made the former Olympic champion exclaim "feeling the pressure," and he made a surprising decision - to withdraw from the WTT world rankings. Fan Zhendong may stay away from various WTT events, or even signal the end of his career with the national table tennis team!
Not only did this spark an outpouring of reluctance from netizens towards him, but it also pushed the head of the national table tennis team, Liu Guoliang, into the limelight. In his public statement, Fan Zhendong revealed that after winning the Paris Olympics, his plans for his future career were still in a state of confusion, with only the participation in the next National Games being clear, while the rest remained uncertain.
The introduction of the WTT's "withdrawal penalty money" rule was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him. He stated that although he was unable to bear the fine, he still respected the decision of the international organization, choosing to withdraw from the ranking system and had officially submitted a report. At the same time, he emphasized that he had not retired, but was temporarily leaving the ranking system.
In his article, "It's time to try defying gravity" carries the meaning of "it's time to rebel against authority!" Subsequently, the national table tennis player, Chen Meng, also liked Fan Zhendong's statement and announced that she would withdraw from the world rankings as well, which undoubtedly intensified the controversy surrounding Liu Guoliang.
After all, he holds the important position of WTT chairman, bearing great responsibilities. Although Fan Zhendong did not directly indicate whether he would continue to compete in WTT, his withdrawal from the rankings has already revealed his intentions - perhaps the international arena has made him weary.
Since the Paris Olympics, whether Fan Zhendong would return to the national table tennis court has always been a focus of attention for fans. His statements have been vague, despite participating in the National Championships and the Super League, he neither represented the national team nor appeared at the national team training ground.
This withdrawal from the world rankings has made this suspense even more mysterious. So, why did Fan Zhendong suddenly make this decision?
Fan Zhendong announced his withdrawal from the world rankings citing an inability to afford the fines, but this is just the surface reason. There may be more complex factors behind it, such as the harassment of fan culture and unfair treatment within the national table tennis team.
Clearly, Fan Zhendong's attitude has always been somewhat ambiguous, and the national table tennis team is no longer willing to wait and see. The introduction of the WTT's new rules acted like a catalyst, prompting Fan Zhendong to make a decision.
Looking back at Fan Zhendong's glorious record, he has repeatedly won championships in various major events, especially at the Paris Olympics, where he withstood immense pressure, turned the tide against Moregad, and won the men's singles gold medal for the Chinese table tennis team.
After the Paris Olympics, Fan Zhendong seemed to be at a crossroads in his career, with consecutive withdrawals and a drop in world rankings, attracting wide attention and speculation from fans.
But this year's new positions as the deputy director of the Shanghai sports sector and the sports ambassador of Yangpu District in Shanghai may have given him direction! Even with new positions and opportunities, Fan Zhendong still suffered a blow - he was not selected in the annual top ten athletes.
This was undoubtedly the last straw that led to his withdrawal from the world rankings. At the end of 2024, the official media Xinhua News Agency announced the list of the top ten athletes of the year, and the veteran national table tennis player Ma Long stood out among the crowd, topping the list.
This 36-year-old legendary figure, though not the brightest star of the year, his perseverance and hard work on the Olympic stage, coupled with the capture of the men's team gold medal, made him the unique six-time Olympic gold medalist in the history of the national table tennis team, deserving of this honor.
In contrast, Olympic heroes like Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, Sun Yingsha, and Wang Chuqin unfortunately missed the list, causing amazement.
Fan Zhendong's statement not only announced his withdrawal from the international arena but also caused a stir in the national table tennis world. This move has far-reaching effects, first and foremost, will Fan Zhendong, as the "pioneer" of withdrawing from the rankings, trigger a chain reaction? Will veterans like Chen Meng and Ma Long follow suit?
The answer may be self-evident. Because Chen Meng has already announced her withdrawal from the rankings!
Furthermore, Fan Zhendong's withdrawal undoubtedly poses a challenge to the national table tennis coaching staff! Even if Wang Chuqin's form fluctuates and Lin Shidong is still immature, the national table tennis team must face reality, accelerate the cultivation of newcomers, and go through the pain, as it is an inevitable path.
Ultimately, Liu Guoliang, as the dual leader of the International Table Tennis Federation and the Chinese Table Tennis Association, may face accusations of "pushing Fan Zhendong to withdraw." Their subtle interactions in the past have once again become the focus of public discussion, thought-provoking.
Examining the list of invitees for the Asian Cup and Liu Guoliang's deployment plan for the new cycle, various signs seem to foreshadow the arrival of this outcome. On December 25th, 12 outstanding players from the national table tennis team were invited to participate in the Asian Cup. However, although the list has been determined, the specific participants are still undecided.
Both the men's and women's teams of the national table tennis team have six elite players selected, including famous players such as Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Wang Chuqin, but who will represent the national table tennis team is still shrouded in mystery.
In his speech at the National Sports Director's Conference, Liu Guoliang's explanation added more variables to this list. He stated that in the new cycle, they will start building a new structure, forming a new team, and boldly use new forces. This measure heralds that the national table tennis team is about to enter a new stage of comprehensive innovation.
Veterans like Ma Long and Fan Zhendong may gradually retreat to the background, while Wang Chuqin, though maturing, still needs to improve his stability, and the younger generation of players still need further refinement.
Therefore, the first year will focus on cultivating newcomers and finding successors; the second year will enter the integration stage, with outstanding talents receiving higher-standard training plans; in the third year, newcomers will embark on various major competitions, accumulating practical experience and laying a solid foundation for Olympic preparations.
The WTT's new rule that absences result in fines has undoubtedly become the final blow that broke Fan Zhendong's psychological defense.
This regulation is similar to performance index assessments in the workplace, causing immense pressure. Fan Zhendong's withdrawal may precisely reflect his deep longing for freedom and self-determination in his heart.
He has expressed fatigue from frequent competitions in multiple interviews, and the new rule provided him with an opportunity to step back. Fan Zhendong's choice has won the support and understanding of many fans!
They believe that this is Fan Zhendong's brave pursuit of his true thoughts and the heroic act of starting a new chapter in life.
The withdrawal of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng is not only a significant turning point in their personal careers but also a reflection of the generational change and comprehensive innovation of the national table tennis team. Although Liu Guoliang's plan is controversial, it undoubtedly points the way for the future of the national table tennis team.
The new WTT rule is like the last straw that broke the camel's back! Where will the future of the national table tennis team go?