Xinhua News Agency announced the list of the top ten domestic athletes for 2024, and as a fan who has been watching table tennis for over thirty years, I am filled with mixed emotions. Wang Chuqin, the leader of the new generation, was unexpectedly left out, which made me think deeply about the reasons behind it.
Let's talk about Wang Chuqin's performance this year. At the Paris Olympics, he and Sun Yingsha partnered to win the mixed doubles gold medal, creating history for the Chinese table tennis team. This gold medal is not light in weight; it fills the gap in the Olympic mixed doubles event for the national team. Their默契配合 on the court and their fighting spirit made us old fans' blood boil. He also contributed significantly to the national team's successful defense of the title in the team event. Unfortunately, in the men's singles competition, Wang Chuqin failed to maintain his previous good form and was eliminated in the knockout stage, which is indeed a great pity. Men's singles has always been the most important event in the international table tennis arena, with particularly high value. This setback undoubtedly affected his selection results.
I noticed that Wang Chuqin's popularity has been skyrocketing. A few days ago at the Shanghai airport, he was surrounded by a large number of fans. Even though he was fully equipped, he was still recognized by sharp-eyed fans. Seeing him surrounded like that, I couldn't help but say, we should pay more attention to his matches!
Ma Long was able to be selected into the top ten based on solid achievements. The veteran once again proved his strength at the Olympics, demonstrating the style of a "big match player." In comparison, Wang Chuqin's performance in key matches still lacked a bit of stability.
However, I believe that this omission may not necessarily be a bad thing for Wang Chuqin. Young people need to experience setbacks to grow, and such experiences can instead stimulate stronger motivation. I particularly appreciate his performance in the interview after the Olympics, where he sincerely acknowledged his shortcomings without making any excuses. This attitude showed his maturity and sense of responsibility.
Speaking of future expectations, I still have great confidence in Wang Chuqin. He is only 23 years old and is in his prime. Looking at his technical characteristics, his forehand attack is very threatening, and his backhand skills are constantly improving. The quality of his serve and attack is quite high, and his close-range fast attack is a headache for opponents.
Talking about his playing style, I have to say more. Wang Chuqin's technical versatility is very strong; he can launch fierce attacks and remain patient in key shots. His serve quality is very high, with many changes, often scoring directly or creating attacking opportunities. Backhand skills are also continuously improving and have become one of his major weapons.
In terms of psychological quality, Wang Chuqin does need to improve. In some important matches, he occasionally shows fluctuations in his performance. This may be related to match experience; after all, compared to veterans, he has participated in fewer major events. However, I believe that with the accumulation of match experience, this problem will gradually improve.
For fans, how should we support Wang Chuqin? I think the most important thing is to focus on his matches and cheer him on. Don't always go to the airport to block him for autographs and photos, as this can affect the athlete's normal rest. Cheering him on more on the court is the real support.
Looking to the future, I am full of expectations for Wang Chuqin. I believe that this omission from the top ten athletes will become an important turning point in his career. By the time the Los Angeles Olympics come around, we will surely see a more mature and powerful Wang Chuqin!
As an old fan, I want to say: young player, keep going, the future is promising! Do you think it was reasonable for Wang Chuqin to miss the top ten athletes this time? Let's discuss it together.