The recent situation in the national table tennis team has been far from calm. The withdrawal of Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng from the international rankings is like a powerful bomb that has pushed Liu Guoliang and the WTT he oversees to the forefront of public opinion. Online calls for Liu Guoliang to step down have been growing louder and louder, almost drowning him out.
Renowned journalist He Xiaolong's words have added even more suspense to the possibility of Fan Zhendong's return to the national team.
Fan Zhendong, who is not yet 28 years old, is at the prime of his career in the table tennis world. Official data from the Table Tennis Super League shows that his win rate last season reached 85%. With his superior strength and stable mentality, he has undoubtedly become the backbone of the team. On the international stage, he has also achieved remarkable success, holding several world championships, making him a core force in the pursuit of glory for the national team. However, he has now been caught up in the center of the "withdrawal storm," causing many fans to worry about him.
At this point, a key question arises: Can Fan Zhendong return to the national team? It seems that the answer to this question is closely tied to Liu Guoliang's future.
Liu Guoliang, like the captain of the national team, has controlled many resource allocations and event arrangements for the team over the years. However, due to a series of controversial events recently, his management style has come under much scrutiny.
Recalling 2019, Liu Guoliang experienced a period of being "marginalized." At that time, Qin Zhijian, along with coaches such as Ma Lin, led players including Ma Long and Fan Zhendong in a strike to force Liu Guoliang back into his position as head coach. Now, the situation has reversed, and Liu Guoliang has once again fallen into a public opinion crisis. Qin Zhijian, because of his close relationship with Liu Guoliang in the past, has also found himself in an awkward position. On one hand, as Liu Guoliang's former capable assistant, he is very familiar with the operation mode of the national team; on the other hand, there are concerns that if he takes over, it may be difficult for him to shake off Liu Guoliang's influence, leading to suspicions of "ruling behind the scenes."
In contrast, Wang Liqin has recently returned to the public eye due to his support for the national team, especially Fan Zhendong, during the Paris Olympics. Shanghai media reported in detail that as chairman of the Shanghai Table Tennis Association, he provided comprehensive support for Fan Zhendong on the Olympic stage, taking care of every detail from logistics to psychological counseling, contributing greatly to Fan Zhendong's men's singles championship victory. This not only earned Wang Liqin Fan Zhendong's trust but also improved his image among fans.
Behind the possible personnel changes, there is another situation that could cause an "earthquake" within the national team: the privilege issue of the Sha-Tou combination (Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin). Currently, the Sha-Tou combination has obvious advantages in resource allocation within the national team. According to incomplete statistics, in the past year's special training resource allocation, they received nearly 30% more one-on-one coaching time than other combinations and had more opportunities to participate in competitions. However, if Liu Guoliang steps down and a new leader takes office, there will definitely be major reforms within the team, with resources redistributed. Whether the Sha-Tou combination can continue as before is uncertain.
Well-known media personality He Xiaolong proposed a view during interactions with netizens on social media platforms: If Liu Guoliang steps down, Fan Zhendong's return to the national team is basically a done deal. This viewpoint, like a small stone, has caused ripples on the surface of public opinion, sparking heated discussions among fans. After all, the national team urgently needs a strong and experienced leader like Fan Zhendong to boost morale and achieve new heights.