On January 9, 2025, the Star Challenge in Doha continued, with Chinese table tennis players achieving success in singles matches. Qian Tianyi defeated South Korean player Kim Na-young 3-1, while Japanese men's team top seed Tomokazu Harimoto advanced by sweeping German player Wolter without any upsets. In the women's singles 1/16 final, Qian Tianyi faced off against South Korean player Kim Na-young. Qian Tianyi is a left-handed player who has been focused on by the coaching staff, especially suitable for doubles play. She forms a stable lineup with Chen Xingtong and maintains a high win rate in international competitions. In the first ranking event of the new year, the main players were absent, with Chen Xingtong not registering. Qian Tianyi partnered with Shi Xunyao in women's doubles but did not participate in mixed doubles, leaving opportunities for other young players. Qian Tianyi also has impressive singles results, ranked 11th in the world in women's singles, which speaks volumes. After this event, she should be able to return to the top ten if everything goes as expected. Her main competitors include Tomokazu Harimoto and others. She previously advanced to the second round by default and now faces Kim Na-young, who is ranked 32nd. As a local South Korean player, Kim Na-young is currently being heavily cultivated by the coaching staff, but her achievements are average at best. It's worth noting that Kim Na-young is participating in three events. She lost in mixed doubles with partner Lin Zhongxun to Huang Youzheng/Shi Xunyao, met teammates in women's doubles with partner Liu Hana, and…

On January 8th, Beijing time, the main event of the 2025 WT Doha Star Games finally kicked off. In the previous qualifying rounds, the only loss for the national table tennis team came from Xu Yingbin in the men's singles, which was somewhat unexpected. Today's matches saw the first round of various events getting underway, with some male and female singles players receiving byes, while the rest made their debuts in the main event. It's an exciting day to look forward to! In the men's singles arena, upsets abound, leaving spectators stunned. Polanski staged a thrilling comeback against Tomislav Pucar, winning 3-2 with scores of 7-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-7. As a capable player, Pucar's performance in the last three sets was unsatisfactory, with frequent mistakes. This match had everyone on the edge of their seats, and Polanski's comeback victory undoubtedly added a touch of drama to the competition. Another remarkable comeback occurred with Yoshikazu Yoshikawa. Facing American player Kanak Jha, Yoshikawa found himself down 0-2 but managed to win three consecutive sets, ultimately triumphing 3-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10. In the decisive set, Yoshikawa clinched victory by a mere two points, demonstrating his indomitable competitive spirit. It was a heart-stopping match that showcased Yoshikawa's resilience and determination. National table tennis youngster Chen Yuanyu also caused an upset in the men's singles, defeating Portuguese veteran Frederico Freitas 3-1. The match was fiercely contested, with Chen losing the first set 8-11 due to not being at his best. However, he gradually regained his form, narrowly winning the second set 11-9, before…

In the recent Olympics, Japanese table tennis player Tomokazu Harimoto participated in three events but unfortunately failed to achieve ideal results. Firstly, in the mixed doubles event, Harimoto and his partner suffered an early defeat, being eliminated in the first round of the competition. This was undoubtedly a disappointing outcome, as they had hoped to make a breakthrough in this event. Next came the men's singles competition, which was also the event that Harimoto valued the most personally. However, in the semi-finals, he faced a formidable opponent in Fan Zhendong. Despite showing tenacious fighting spirit, Harimoto was ultimately narrowly defeated by Fan Zhendong in a reversal. This match was undoubtedly a heavy blow for Harimoto. Finally, there was the men's team event, in which Harimoto competed as a member of the Japanese team. However, the entire team's performance was not up to par, and they ultimately missed out on a medal. This was another regrettable result for Harimoto, as he had hoped to bring honor to the Japanese team. Overall, this Olympics was a challenging experience for Harimoto. He put in effort in each event, but the results were not as desired. However, this also strengthened his determination for future competitions. He will continue to work hard to improve his skills and strive for better results at the next Olympics. Despite not achieving ideal results at the Olympics, Harimoto quickly regained his confidence at the subsequent Asian Championships. In this competition, he successfully won the men's singles championship, marking the first time in nearly 50 years that the Japanese national…

Do you think it's courage or an adventure? Zhang Jike, known as the "rising star of Japanese table tennis," recently made a jaw-dropping decision: he announced that he will not participate in the mixed doubles event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but instead focus entirely on the men's singles competition. To many, this choice may seem like betting on an uncertain future, but in Zhang's eyes, it is a bold attempt to reduce physical exertion and psychological pressure, aiming solely for a breakthrough in the men's singles. Looking back, Zhang Jike's name is well-known. He partnered with Ito Mima in the Tokyo Olympics, achieving a silver medal in the mixed doubles with remarkable teamwork, marking a historic breakthrough for Japanese table tennis history. However, what many might not know is that this silver medal brought him not only glory but also immense psychological burden. After the games, Japanese media and fans regarded him as the future "pillar" of the Japanese team, placing high hopes on Zhang Jike, which also weighed heavily on him, making it hard for him to breathe under the weight of these expectations. After the Tokyo Olympics, Zhang's state in competitions fluctuated frequently, earning him the label of "lacking in mental fortitude." In the Paris Olympics, he failed to achieve outstanding results, drawing much criticism. Was it due to insufficient strength or divided attention? Amidst the criticism, Zhang chose to calm down and reflect—perhaps he needed to let go of other distractions and focus on the men's singles to rediscover his original passion and motivation. This…

China's national table tennis team is a formidable force that has consistently impressed fans with its outstanding performances on the world stage. Looking ahead, the team's next goal is the Los Angeles Olympics, where it is expected that more opportunities will be given to young players. Fans are hopeful that these young athletes will continue to make history for China. Among the many promising young players, 19-year-old prodigy Lin Shidong stands out. Despite his youth, Lin has rapidly ascended the ranks since the conclusion of the Paris Olympics and is now ranked second in the world. There is a strong belief that Lin has a great chance to challenge for the Grand Slam title in the future, and supporters are rallying behind him. However, in the new Olympic cycle, Lin has suffered two unexpected defeats, both at the hands of Tomokazu Harimoto. In the men's singles final of the Asian Table Tennis Championships, Lin lost 1-3 to Harimoto, followed by another defeat in the semi-finals of the year-end finals, this time with a score of 3-4. These back-to-back losses have raised concerns about Lin's ability to overcome his nemesis and achieve the coveted Grand Slam. Some netizens have pointed out that if Lin cannot defeat Harimoto, it will be challenging for him to secure the Grand Slam title in the future. Given that both players are of similar age, it was expected that Lin would have the upper hand over Harimoto. However, the current situation suggests that Lin is indeed struggling against his opponent. Throughout their careers, Lin and Harimoto…

In mid-November Beijing time, the WTT Fukuoka Finals concluded the semi-finals. The world number two in men's singles, Lin Shidong, lost to Tomokazu and failed to reach the final. In women's singles, Wang Manyu defeated the European champion, achieving a grand assembly in the final. Lin Shidong is a fierce player for the national table tennis team. At the age of 19, he has already become a Grand Slam winner. This finals saw him in great form, but unfortunately, in the semi-final match against Tomokazu, he was unable to maintain his momentum and secure victory. Despite leading 2-0 and 3-2 in sets, he failed to seize the opportunities, eventually being caught up by Tomokazu and losing in the decisive set. The collapse of the world number two meant that the national table tennis men's singles could not meet in the final. In this finals, three out of the top four women's singles spots were occupied by national table tennis players. The match between Wang Manyu and Szocs was particularly important as securing victory would allow the national team to meet in the final. The result was as hoped, with Wang Manyu fighting hard through seven sets to defeat her opponent 4-3 and advance to the final. However, the process was not easy, as Szocs posed a significant threat, living up to her reputation as a player who had previously defeated Olympic champion Chen Meng. The difficulty of the match can be seen from the score. Wang Manyu took the initiative first, scoring three consecutive victories to lead 3-0. It seemed…

In the world of table tennis, Tomokazu Harimoto is a name known in both China and Japan, carrying the label of a "naturalized player." Throughout his career, he has been accompanied by applause and doubts, as well as praise and mockery. Now, at a crossroads in his professional journey, Harimoto has once again caused a stir in public opinion. This time, it is due to his choice of mixed doubles partner and the subtle game of chess between him and the Japan Table Tennis Association (JTTA). Surprisingly, Harimoto openly stated that he only wants to play mixed doubles with his sister. With such an attitude, where does this leave his long-time partner, Mima Ito? Publicly Setting Conditions for the JTTA Harimoto is a top player in the Japanese table tennis scene, being the absolute mainstay of the men's singles team, with a world ranking that once reached as high as third, setting a new record for Japanese male table tennis. He has consecutively won the runner-up title in the men's singles event at the WTT Fukuoka Finals for three years. However, behind these dazzling achievements, Harimoto has experienced unknown hardships. On the road to Olympic gold, formidable obstacles stand before him: Ma Long, Wang Chuqin, Fan Zhendong, and the rising star Lin Shidong from the powerful Chinese team. These challenges have made Harimoto's path to winning the singles title particularly difficult, with repeated defeats forcing him to reassess his career plan and ultimately shift his focus to the mixed doubles category. Mixed doubles, a relatively young format in the sport…

Today, I want to talk about a recent incident that has caused quite a stir. It started as a small matter, but quickly escalated into a snowball effect, causing a commotion throughout the city. I'm referring to the situation involving Japanese table tennis player, Early Field Xina. This matter is quite peculiar; she just opened an account on a Chinese social media platform, and then went to visit a Japanese shrine? That's quite a show! What kind of play are you putting on, Early Field Xina? Let's start from the beginning. Early Field Xina is a Japanese table tennis player, with a charming appearance and decent skills. She won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, which can be considered a modest achievement. Because she often competes against our national table tennis players, she is quite well-known in China. Just the other day, she took photos with our players Fan Zhendong and Sun Yingsha, looking quite affectionate. Fan Zhendong even suggested that she open an account on a Chinese social media platform, and once it was opened, her followers skyrocketed, making her on the verge of becoming an internet sensation. But good times didn't last long! As soon as this girl returned to Japan, she gave an interview saying she wanted to visit the "Tomori Special Attack Peace Museum." This stirred up a hornet's nest! This so-called "Peace Museum" is essentially a place to commemorate World War II Japanese aggressors. It houses relics of the Japanese army that invaded China, under the guise of "commemorating peace," but in reality, it…

Translation of the article content into English: For the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), one of their most pressing concerns is the withdrawal from world rankings by three top players: Olympic champions Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng. Compared to this, the withdrawal of Ma Long and Fan Zhendong from the world rankings seems even more embarrassing for ITTF, as these two top athletes' decision has led to a super awkward situation in the men's singles world top ten rankings. Some fans jokingly ask, "What's the point of such world rankings?" After the Paris Olympics, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng missed most table tennis events. What many fans did not expect was that Fan Zhendong would be the first to announce his withdrawal from the world rankings. Fan Zhendong stated that due to the new rule imposed by WTT that fines players for non-participation, he could not afford it and thus chose to withdraw from the world rankings. Chen Meng also cited health issues and the new regulations as reasons for her decision to withdraw from the world rankings. The Chinese Table Tennis Association officially confirmed that Ma Long had also withdrawn from the world rankings. Following Ma Long and Fan Zhendong's withdrawal from the world rankings, an awkward situation arose in the men's singles rankings. Among the top ten ranked players, none have the honor of winning a championship at any of the three major events. In the international table tennis arena, the recognized three major events are the Olympics, World Championships, and World Cup. However,…

Fan Zhendong's withdrawal from the world rankings has caused a stir in the table tennis community, leaving everyone unsettled. Some say he is being capricious, while others believe he is brave; it's like a pot that has exploded, and no one can tell whether it's right or wrong. The international table tennis scene in recent years has been quite interesting, with Fan Zhendong acting as a stabilizing force, making everyone who faces him weigh their options. This time, his sudden decision to stop playing has tilted the balance of the entire table tennis world. Foreign association players have had a tough time against Fan Zhendong over the years. Just seeing him across the court during matches makes them want to retreat mentally, and this invisible pressure is more effective than winning any number of games. Now that Fan Zhendong has withdrawn from the world rankings, it means he won't be seen on the international stage anymore. For those foreign association players, their psychological burden has significantly减轻ed, and games they previously thought they couldn't win, they might now dare to try. The situation for the national team is somewhat troublesome. Ma Long is not young anymore, and he's playing fewer and fewer matches. Now that Fan Zhendong has also withdrawn from the world rankings, the team has lost two mainstays at once. Although the young players are all very capable, it remains to be seen if they can completely replace Fan Zhendong's position. After all, Fan Zhendong's dominance on the international stage over the years is not something that can be…