The Asian Cup roster has sparked heated discussions with the absence of familiar names such as Fan Zhendong and Ma Long, while Chen Meng has opted out due to personal reasons. This time, the "usual formula" has been replaced by fresh faces like Chen Yuanyu, Huang Youzheng, and Shi Xunyao, who have been boldly promoted. The exclusion of veterans and the rise of young talents have raised questions about the Chinese national table tennis team's intentions: Why is the team so willing to make these changes? Is it because the veterans are no longer capable, or are the newcomers ready to take over?
Behind this lies Liu Guoliang's new strategy: to promote the rejuvenation of the national table tennis team and provide opportunities for more newcomers. While this sounds like a well-thought-out reform, the actual implementation of sidelining veterans has left a bitter-sweet taste. Is this a panacea or a gamble? There is certainly much to discuss.
The story begins in 2024 when the national table tennis team entered a new competitive cycle. Liu Guoliang proposed a strategic guideline of "fair opportunity" at an internal meeting – regardless of seniority, those with ability would receive more chances; conversely, even the most famous players could not be guaranteed participation. It was clear that this strategy targeted young players, but what was unexpected was the rapid "young storm" within the team.
This Asian Cup roster is a concentrated reflection of such reforms. Fans familiar with the national table tennis team know that veteran wild cards were almost a given, either due to their strength or popularity. However, even Fan Zhendong, a top player, did not receive a qualification this time, and instead, young players took his place, leaving many feeling as if "the sky had fallen." Liu Guoliang's intentions are evident – the national table tennis team does not lack master-level players but needs to provide newcomers with opportunities to step onto the stage. His logic is simple: while veterans still have the energy, let the young players quickly improve. Essentially, this is called "leading the new with the old," but the intensity is somewhat "inhuman."
Many find it hard to understand why Fan Zhendong was not on the list. This male table tennis star not only has solid skills but also maintains a high world ranking. In fact, Fan Zhendong himself is not entirely blameless. In 2024, considering his personal and competitive state, he adjusted his training plan and actively reduced his participation in several major competitions. Although his performance in each match remained excellent, compared to his stable efforts in previous years, his annual schedule seemed more like "coasting downhill" – this gave Liu Guoliang the opportunity to adjust the eligibility criteria.
As for Chen Meng, her decision to skip the Asian Cup is another matter entirely. After the 2024 National Games, Chen Meng's competitive state hit a bottleneck. Many insiders speculate that she may have reduced international events due to her own need for rest and recuperation. This raises questions: is it a physical issue, or an active withdrawal due to pressure from new talents? Public opinion is divided. After all, in recent years, with the rise of new players like Wang Manyu and Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng's status as a "Grand Slam" player has been gradually threatened. Amidst doubts about her declining performance and claims of proactive adjustment, Chen Meng's future development remains uncertain.
The new faces on the list have piqued the curiosity of many who follow the sport. Names like Chen Yuanyu, Huang Youzheng, and Shi Xunyao may never have made headlines, but this time they have "risen to prominence," undoubtedly a result of the national table tennis team's deepened cultivation plan. Especially at this critical moment, Liu Guoliang dares to entrust them with the responsibility of participating, not just testing the waters for the young but also pushing them to perform. To put it plainly, this is a "practical training session," where they must bear the consequences of winning or losing themselves.
Taking Shi Xunyao as an example, although young, she has achieved stable results and significant progress in many domestic competitions. Looking at Huang Youzheng, this is a young talent who has emerged on the youth stage and is now being pushed onto the international arena, clearly carrying Liu Guoliang's high hopes. However, opportunities always come with immense pressure – young players may have the drive, but how much they can handle remains unknown. Such adventurous moves are a double-edged sword; if used well, the national table tennis team could enter a "spring"; but if the push for rejuvenation is too strong, leaving veterans behind, it might temporarily plunge the team into instability.
While the outside world cheers for the national table tennis team's "blood transfusion operation," some are also holding their breath. From the 2024 World Table Tennis Championships, Japanese players like Tomokazu Harimoto and new generation athletes have shown formidable competitiveness. They not only created a difficult situation against the national table tennis team in team events but also became the media's "rising stars." Additionally, some European newcomers are also emerging, with faster and fiercer playing styles. Cai Zhenhua once said, "No throne can be occupied forever." Indeed, external pressures have mounted, and whoever relaxes may fall first.
Encouraging young players to participate more is beneficial, even essential, for the national table tennis team. Veterans like Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng have been supporting the team in high-level competitions for a long time and indeed need time to catch their breath, a sacrifice necessary to maintain long-term combat effectiveness. However, seeing this roster solely as a "victory of rejuvenation" may be too absolute. Young players' growth requires a rhythmic progression, not a sudden push.
More crucially, veterans like Fan Zhendong and Ma Long remain the pillars of the national table tennis team. They not only lead the young but also become the "pillar of stability" for the team in special circumstances. Pushing newcomers while ignoring the value of veterans, is such a reform too hasty?
Regardless of the controversies, the ultimate test will be in the competition. For the young players, this Asian Cup is undoubtedly a litmus test. The young have already set foot on the path, and only by running fast enough can they claim a more dazzling glory; as for the veterans, they only need to adjust steadily. In the future, a relay race between the middle-aged and the new generation may unfold on a higher stage.