Do you remember that night when the Japanese team could only "look at the ocean with longing"? On the WTT court, when the "Sha Tou combination" once again raised the championship trophy, everyone saw the truth: this pair of partners has long been more than just simple teammates!
Let's rewind time back to 2017. At that time, Wang Chuqin was still a round-faced teenager, and Sun Yingsha was also a little girl with a ponytail. On the field of the Asian Youth Championship, who would have thought that the encounter of these two "greenhorns" would be the beginning of a legend?
The name "Sha Tou combination" sounds amusing, but behind it lies a carefully designed tactical match. Just like the ingredients in a spicy hot pot, Sun Yingsha is the agile Sichuan pepper, occasionally giving opponents a "numbing" feeling; while Wang Chuqin is the solid pot bottom, steadily supporting all changes.
The tacit understanding on the field is really breathtaking. Often, as soon as Sun Yingsha turns her eyes, Wang Chuqin has already accurately predicted which angle she wants to hit. This level of tacit understanding is simply more in tune than an old married couple who have been together for many years!
Interestingly, the interaction off the field makes the teammates collectively "break through". Wang Chuqin often jokingly says, "Now I can read the expressions on Sha Sha's face very accurately, wherever she wants to hit, I will hit." This is exactly what a "wife-controlled strict" looks like! And Sun Yingsha, although she often complains about this "big head," she always jumps out first to support Wang Chuqin whenever he faces doubts.
The national table tennis teammates can't stand it anymore, jokingly saying, "You two are not just partners, you are like a family! Even the rhythm of eating is the same." That's right, when training gets tiring, Sun Yingsha always remembers to bring snacks for Wang Chuqin. Where does this look like partners, it's clearly taking care of one's own family!
In fact, the success of this pair is by no means accidental. As early as the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, the coaching staff saw their potential. Sure enough, from then on, the "Sha Tou combination" was like a cheat code, and the top spot in the world mixed doubles ranking almost became their "exclusive seat."
Last year's Houston World Table Tennis Championships was the peak display of their tacit understanding. Facing the powerful Japanese pair of Tomokazu Ishihara and Hina Hayata, the "Sha Tou combination" played a textbook-level cooperation. Sun Yingsha kept cheering for Wang Chuqin on the sidelines, and this "big head" also exerted all his strength, not wanting to disappoint his partner. In the end, the score of 3:0 made everyone witness what is called "a perfect match"!
What is most touching is their attitude towards victory and defeat. After winning a game, they always push each other's merits; after losing a game, they never blame each other. This kind of friendship in adversity is the true "national table tennis family affection"!
Sometimes during training breaks, you can always see such a scene: Sun Yingsha seriously analyzes the characteristics of the opponent for Wang Chuqin, and Wang Chuqin listens attentively, nodding from time to time. This relationship of both teacher and friend makes people sigh: It turns out that on the table tennis court, it can also be so warm and affectionate.
At present, with the approach of the Paris Olympics, the "Sha Tou combination" is undoubtedly an important guarantee for China's gold medal. But more precious than the gold medal is the pure trust and tacit understanding they show. This tacit understanding is not pretended, but accumulated bit by bit in countless training and competitions.
Looking at their heroic figures on the court, it seems to tell a truth: To go further in competitive sports, in addition to strength, you also need a heart that knows how to trust and give. And the "Sha Tou combination" is interpreting this truth in their own way.
Perhaps many years later, when people recall this legendary pair, what they remember will not only be their championship titles, but also the sincere friendship between them, which is based on mutual trust and support. This friendship transcends the simple relationship of teammates and becomes a reflection of the spirit of the national table tennis team.
Let us look forward to the upcoming Paris Olympics, where this "fairy pair" can continue to write their legendary story. Because we believe that as long as there is this unique tacit understanding, the gold medal will not be far away?
After all, in this competitive sports world, finding such a tacit partner is itself a kind of luck. And the "Sha Tou combination" is telling us in their own way: When tacit understanding meets trust, competitive sports can also be a fairy tale!