In the world of table tennis in 2024, it is undoubtedly Wang Chuqin's year. As the world's top-ranked player, he has experienced countless attention and expectations throughout the year. On the stage of the Paris Olympics, although Wang Chuqin failed to achieve ideal results in the singles event, he won the mixed doubles gold medal with his partner Sun Yingsha and remained undefeated in the team event, which undoubtedly proved his strength. However, the Olympic experience was not smooth sailing. Wang Chuqin unexpectedly stopped at the round of 32 in the singles competition, a result that disappointed many fans. Facing external doubts, Zhang Jike first criticized, believing that "the world's number one can only stop at 32, right? As the top seed, it shouldn't be like this." Over time, Zhang Jike's attitude has changed significantly. When talking about Wang Chuqin's performance at the Olympics, he not only expressed understanding and support for the younger generation of players but also shared similar challenges he had faced using his own experiences as an example. Zhang Jike mentioned, "Wang Chuqin also had a tough time, losing in singles but not losing a single match in mixed doubles and team events, which is not something just anyone can do." He also recalled his experience at the 2016 Rio Olympics and teammate Wang Hao's situation at the 2012 London Olympics, emphasizing that even personal defeats could lead to national honors. This change in attitude is not only recognition of Wang Chuqin as an individual but also reflects the older generation of athletes' expectations and support…

On December 27th, Beijing time, according to Malaysian media reports, despite the fact that the Malaysian Badminton Association has already extended an invitation to Indonesian famous coach Peng Weixin to take up a coaching position, a higher offer from the Chinese badminton team might sway him to change his mind, drawing strong attention from netizens. After coaching the Indonesian badminton team for a full 28 years, Peng Weixin recently confirmed his departure. During his tenure as the head coach of the men's doubles group for the Indonesian badminton team, he cultivated two pairs of Olympic champion men's doubles combinations, Wu Junming/Chen Jiabright and Kido/Hendra, as well as other top-ranked men's doubles players such as Ahsan, Sukamuljo, Gideon, Adianto, and Alfian, whose coaching abilities are widely recognized. However, due to the poor performance of the Indonesian men's doubles teams in international competitions over the past two years, Peng Weixin began to lose the trust of the Indonesian Badminton Association last year, first being reassigned to oversee mixed doubles, and now has chosen to part ways. As a renowned coach in the world of badminton, the 62-year-old Peng Weixin is clearly not short of job opportunities, with both the Malaysian Badminton Association and the Chinese Badminton Association extending invitations to this accomplished mentor in the men's doubles category. According to Malaysian media reports, the Chinese badminton team has offered Peng Weixin a salary three times higher than what he earned while coaching in Indonesia, seemingly determined to secure his services. In fact, rumors about Peng Weixin possibly coming to China to coach…

In 2024, for Sun Yingsha, it was like a rollercoaster movie filled with laughter, tears, climaxes, and troughs. Let's delve into the story of this 24-year-old girl and see how she writes her own legend in the world of table tennis. In the first half of the year, Sun Yingsha was like a game character on a winning streak. She was invincible on the court, to the point where even Japanese ace Hina Hayata had to admit, "This girl is the number one in the table tennis world right now." Who would have thought that such a promising "Great Demon" would experience such ups and downs in the following competitions? At the Paris Olympics, Sun Yingsha delivered an impressive performance: she won the first-ever mixed doubles gold medal with her partner and helped Team China secure the women's team gold. However, in the women's singles final, she narrowly lost to Chen Meng. This scene echoed the World Championships months earlier, but this time the roles were reversed—Sun Yingsha had previously shattered Chen Meng's Grand Slam dream, and this time, Chen Meng temporarily put Sun Yingsha's Olympic gold medal dream on hold. After the Olympics, Sun Yingsha continued to compete vigorously in the Macau Championship and the Chinese Grand Slam. However, no one is made of iron, and continuous high-intensity matches eventually led to injury concerns. When news of her injury surfaced during the Asian Championship women's team event, fans' hearts sank. Subsequently, we did not see her at the German Championship or the French Championship. Although she returned at the…

At 11:11 am Beijing time on December 27th, Olympic table tennis champion Fan Zhendong announced his decision to withdraw from the world rankings via Weibo, stating that he will not retire. In the latest issue of the world rankings released by the International Table Tennis Federation this week, Fan Zhendong ranked sixth, with five out of eight valid points assigned as zero. Choosing to announce his withdrawal from the world rankings at 11:11 am, Fan Zhendong's deep affection for table tennis is evident in his post. Table tennis is a sport with an 11-point system, reflecting Fan Zhendong's love for the sport. We look forward to seeing Fan Zhendong at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area National Games and on various other competitive stages. Fan Zhendong mentioned in his post that due to the significant psychological toll from the Paris cycle, aside from confirming participation in the next National Games, there are no specific plans for other competitions. Recently, the WTT introduced a new rule imposing fines for non-participation, which he finds unbearable but still respects the international organization, hence choosing to withdraw from the world rankings. As early as May, Fan Zhendong suggested it might be his last Olympics. Although he stated he would not retire, he has not competed internationally, leaving many fans feeling regretful. At only 27 years old and in peak condition, he could have continued playing for several more years. During the Paris cycle, Fan Zhendong faced considerable pressure, particularly in the Houston World Championships and the Paris Olympics, where he wanted to face opponents…

At 11:11 AM Beijing time on December 27th, Olympic table tennis champion Fan Zhendong announced his decision to withdraw from the world rankings via Weibo, while also stating that he would not be retiring. In the latest issue of the world rankings released by the International Table Tennis Federation this week, Fan Zhendong ranked sixth, with 5 out of 8 valid points being assigned a zero. Choosing to announce his withdrawal from the world rankings at 11:11 AM, Fan Zhendong's love for table tennis runs deep, as evidenced by the profound meaning in his post. Table tennis is a sport played to 11 points, which shows Fan Zhendong's passion for the sport. We look forward to seeing Fan Zhendong at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area National Games and on various other competitive stages. Fan Zhendong mentioned that due to the significant psychological toll left over from the Paris cycle, aside from confirming participation in the next National Games, there are no specific plans for other competitions. Recently, the WTT introduced a new rule imposing fines for non-participation, which he finds unbearable but still respects the international organization, hence choosing to withdraw from the world rankings for now. As early as May, Fan Zhendong suggested it might be his last Olympics. Although he stated he would not retire, he has not competed internationally, leaving many fans feeling regretful. At just 27 years old and still at the peak of his game, he could easily continue playing for several more years. During the Paris cycle, Fan Zhendong bore considerable pressure, especially…

Liu Guoliang, a shining name in the world of table tennis, has recently found himself at the center of public opinion. Some praise his remarkable achievements, while others question his coaching philosophy, and there are even those who predict his dismissal. Throughout his career as both a player and coach, Liu Guoliang has made significant contributions to Chinese table tennis. He has led the national team to numerous honors and created countless legends. However, at the peak of his success, he faces an unprecedented challenge. The open criticism from famous sports figure He Xiaolong has placed Liu Guoliang in the eye of the storm, sparking discussions about the future development of Chinese table tennis. Once the pride of the national team, Liu Guoliang has now become a focal point of controversy. This transformation evokes a sense of pity and prompts us to ponder how one's merits and demerits should be evaluated, and how we should view past glories amidst current challenges. Some argue that Liu Guoliang's era has passed, and he should step down gracefully. Others believe he remains the best candidate for Chinese table tennis and should continue to lead the team forward. Only time can provide the answer to this debate. He Xiaolong's criticism extends beyond Liu Guoliang personally, targeting the "fan culture" phenomenon within the national team. This invasion of entertainment culture casts a shadow over the pure realm of sports competition and adds extra pressure on the athletes. The fervent pursuit of stardom by fans sometimes crosses boundaries, causing disruptions in the athletes' lives and training,…

On December 26th, Beijing time, a shocking revelation emerged as the Chinese Table Tennis Team (CTTA) announced their lineup for the Singapore Grand Slam, which notably excluded Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng. Liu Guoliang, the head coach, has been promoting four new players, but three of them are not exactly newcomers! The CTTA unexpectedly released the participant list for the Singapore Grand Slam, the first top-tier event in 2025, which has sparked significant controversy. Let's take a look: On the women's singles side, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Chen Xintong, and Wang Yidi are uncontroversial choices. However, the remaining two spots went to Qian Tianyi and He Zhuojia. For the men's team, Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun, and Lin Gaoyuan are solid picks, but the last two spots were awarded to Xiang Peng and Zhou Qihao. This means that Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, two superstars of the national table tennis team, have been excluded from this Grand Slam event, likely facing another "zero assignment" fate. With Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng, and Ma Long all stripped of their participation rights for the Singapore Grand Slam, four adverse impacts and questions have arisen. Firstly, it is baffling that two newly crowned Olympic champions did not receive the opportunity to compete. While Ma Long, at 36 years old, may be looking to gradually retire, Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng are fresh off their Olympic victories. Their competitive form is undoubtedly at its peak; it's implausible that they would decline significantly within just half a year. Now, they are not allowed to participate…

Liu Guoliang Breaks Silence! Directly Responds to "Dismissal" Rumors, Admits National Table Tennis Team Will Have a "Big Move"‌ Since the end of the "Paris Olympics," He Xiaolong has seemingly become obsessed with the national table tennis team. Not only did he criticize the mentality issues of the "Sha Tou" combination, but he also questioned the gold medal's worthiness of Chen Meng in the Olympic singles event. Moreover, He Xiaolong attacked Liu Guoliang, claiming that he is the biggest "fan circle leader" in the table tennis circle. Faced with He Xiaolong's repeated "ridiculous remarks," Liu Guoliang finally broke his silence! Recently, rumors about Liu Guoliang's "dismissal" have caused a stir on the internet. He Xiaolong's remarks instantly ignited the fuse of public opinion, sparking heated discussions across various sectors. However, his words were not groundless. In recent years, the Table Tennis Association has been ineffective in managing fan culture. He Xiaolong first criticized the slow and ineffective actions in rectifying fan culture. Then he hinted at the confusion in the management of the Table Tennis Association and the imminent change of leadership. This pushed the heat of public opinion to new heights. In fact, this was not the first time He Xiaolong made "sharp comments." During the Paris Olympics, Chen Meng's victory in the women's singles championship elicited cheers. However, He Xiaolong's discordant voice resonated at this moment. He repeatedly questioned the value of Chen Meng's Olympic singles gold medal. He even implied that Chen Meng had someone protecting her from above. Comparing her to predecessors like Deng Yaping and…

Recently, Xinhua News Agency's sports department selected the top ten Chinese athletes of 2024, including Ma Long, the Chinese gymnastics team, Deng Yawen, Deng Zhixuan, Quan Hongchan, Yang Jiayu, Zheng Qinwen, Sheng Lihao, Jiang Yuyan, and Pan Zhanle! Although most netizens support the list of China's top ten athletes, some have raised questions about why Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin, table tennis players, did not appear on the list. In the view of some netizens, as core players and traffic magnets for the national table tennis team, Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin are not lacking in any aspect and should logically be included in the list of China's top ten best athletes. It cannot be denied that Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin indeed have high popularity and performed very well in the 2024 season. However, to be included in the list of China's top ten athletes, they still fall short! Observant netizens may have noticed that most of the athletes selected for the list made history at the Olympics or their victories had special significance, such as Jiang Yuyan winning seven gold medals, breaking two world records and three Paralympic records; at the closing ceremony, Jiang Yuyan and male track and field athlete Di Dongdong served as flag bearers for the Chinese delegation; and Yang Jiayu, who won the gold medal in the women's 20km race walk final at the Paris Olympics with a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 54 seconds, becoming a grand slam champion with Olympic, World Championship, Asian Games, National Games titles, and world records.…

The invited list for the International Table Tennis Federation Asian Cup has been released, with a total of 12 Chinese players, six each, successfully entering the list. However, there is still a big question mark as to whether these 12 players can participate fully. For example, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong from the men's team, and Chen Meng from the women's team, have hardly participated in any formal international or continental championships since the Paris Olympics, with only Ma Long playing in the Beijing Grand Slam. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether these three will participate, especially since the Asian Cup does not hold much appeal for these Olympic singles champions. If they do participate, can China maintain its full quota of 12 spots? According to the replacement rules of the ITTF Asian Cup, we can definitely secure 12 spots, with two safeguards in place. The first safeguard is that if the host country's player withdraws, the host country can designate another player to replace them. In other words, if our three players withdraw, we can use our own national table tennis players to fill in. Even if there is a risk that two players from the men's team, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong, might withdraw, we can still use another rule to have our national table tennis players step in. According to the regulations, if other invited players participate, there should be a player not on this list who ranks highest to take their place. Xiang Peng from the men's team is ranked 24th in the world and should theoretically…