On December 27th, Beijing time, how regrettable is it that Fan Zhendong has withdrawn from the world rankings? Looking at the statements made by Tomokazu Harimoto and Timo Boll, you can understand the extent of the loss suffered by the Chinese national table tennis team. Fan Zhendong's sudden announcement that he will withdraw from the world rankings will be a huge loss and blow to the Chinese table tennis team, as there is currently no other player within the national team who possesses the same level of terrifying deterrence against foreign associations as Fan Zhendong does. His withdrawal from the world rankings means that he will not be able to participate in almost all international competitions going forward, as he has never played in qualifying rounds throughout his career. This leaves him with only domestic competitions such as the National Championships and National Games to compete in, where we may only see Fan Zhendong engage in internal battles. It might become increasingly difficult to witness him wearing the red of China and triumphing over foreign opponents. In reality, foreigners are extremely afraid of Fan Zhendong, which is evident from the statements made by Tomokazu Harimoto. After achieving success at the Paris Olympics, Harimoto returned home and immediately gave an interview. During this interview, he spoke candidly to Japanese media, saying, "To be honest, I don't think my abilities allow me to compete with Fan Zhendong to a scoreline of 3:4." The implication of Harimoto's words is clear; he sees no need to speak modestly or politely when addressing Japanese media.…

In the global sport of table tennis, the Chinese national team is undoubtedly a legendary presence. From the days of "ping-pong diplomacy" to the recent Olympic gold medal grand slam, the Chinese team has won worldwide attention and respect with its remarkable skills, tenacious fighting spirit, and profound cultural heritage. However, following the successful conclusion of the Paris Olympics, the overwhelming dominance of the Chinese team seems to have once again become a focal point for the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Recently, a series of new regulations introduced by the ITTF has sparked extensive discussion among fans, with many questioning whether the Chinese team is receiving "special attention." Looking back at the Paris Olympics, the Chinese team was undoubtedly the brightest star. They won championships in all five events: men's singles, women's singles, men's team, women's team, and mixed doubles, demonstrating unparalleled dominance. Top players like Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Sun Yingsha used their exquisite techniques and indomitable fighting spirit to write a new chapter of glory for the Chinese team. However, it is precisely this dominance that has made the Chinese team a "key focus" in the ITTF's rule adjustments. In recent years, to balance the gap in table tennis standards between countries, the ITTF has frequently revised competition rules, from racket materials to game balls, and from ranking systems to entry qualifications, making significant adjustments. These changes have undoubtedly posed challenges to the Chinese team but also spurred them to develop stronger fighting spirit and adaptability. However, a new regulation recently introduced by the…