Table Tennis: Super Grand Slam

192 Li Ying, the flag bearer of the opening ceremony, won the first Olympic Games with a 40-point victory over his opponent
Li Ying and Wang Xianlan spent a few pleasant days at their home in the imperial capital. Of course, they still went to the imperial capital training base every day to complete their training.

But after training, they return home and live a life as a couple.

7 month 17 day.

In the summer, the Chinese table tennis team's Olympic lineup set off for London. Before leaving, the head coaches of the men's and women's teams, Dong Yaobang and Hou Bingguang, both expressed their concerns about the upcoming Olympic table tennis matches, but were more excited and confident.

17日上午10点15分，国乒大部队30人从位于帝都的运动员公寓出发前往帝都国际机场，将乘坐CA937航班赶赴伦敦。

For the Xiaguo table tennis team, another big difference compared to the Beijing Olympics is the difference between home and away games.

"I didn't feel like I was going to the tournament last time, but I'm more excited and looking forward to it this time," said Li Ying. "Today, so many people came to see us off, including family, friends, media, and everyone who stayed behind in the national table tennis team. Every look in their eyes was filled with eager anticipation!"

"This is also what makes the Olympics different, and this is also the biggest purpose and motivation for the farewell. This allows everyone to feel the Olympic atmosphere right now. The Olympics are already here!"

Li Ying chats with the dragon, phoenix and turtle sitting next to him.

At this moment, the men's team head coach Dong Yaobang was being interviewed by reporters.

"Worried? Of course I am." Dong Yaobang said with a smile, "It's impossible not to have worries before the game. After a series of preparations are done, it still depends on the performance on the spot. For us, we have been preparing for 4 years, waiting for this moment."

He added: "There are still 10 days until the opening of the Olympics. We will proceed step by step, first to the Leeds training camp to adapt, then to London to adapt to the atmosphere, and continue to deepen our mentality so that the athletes can find the feeling of the game little by little."

After arriving in London on the 17th, the Chinese table tennis team will move to Leeds to carry out the final adaptive training at the summer delegation's preparation base in the city's university town, and will return to London and move into the athletes' village on the 22nd.

After arriving in Leeds, the table tennis team continued with two training sessions a day and maintained their regular training.

After the draw results come out, the whole team will conduct targeted simulation training.

time flies.

On July 7, the Chinese table tennis team left the Chinese team training camp at the University of Leeds and moved into the Olympic Village.

Li Ying took the dragon, phoenix and turtle to visit the Olympic Village restaurant.

After walking around, Li Ying smiled and said, "Although the food in this Olympic restaurant is not as good as that made by domestic chefs, it has more variety."

Liang Long nodded and smiled: "Our whole team is quite used to eating here. This is the first time I've been to the Olympic Village restaurant and had a meal with so many people. I feel the atmosphere is particularly good."

Kong Fengge said with a smile: "I see, Ah Ying, you are hungry even for no reason. You are the only one in the team who can eat the most. In my opinion, you are the biggest eater of our entire Xia Country Sports Team!"

Li Ying retorted: "What's wrong with being able to eat? Life is all about eating and drinking. We athletes don't have many things to enjoy on a daily basis. So don't waste your time on eating and drinking!"

Xu Guinian smiled and said, "It's just that the room is a little small, and the soundproofing isn't very good. But the whole team lives together, so it's quite lively. We've all been doing things together these days, and it's quite relaxing and fun."

When Xu Guinian said this, Li Ying said with some regret: "It's a pity that I am an athlete and must live in the Olympic Village. Otherwise, I would rather live in a hotel outside like them!"

Due to limited places, Mengli's head coach Wu Weijin, Kong Fengge's head coach Liao Huazhong, and sparring partners Ma Qing and Su Yan were unable to move into the Olympic Village.

Of course, as a support team, their task is not any easier. They will help prepare for the game, watch videos, do technical statistics, hold preparation meetings, etc., work together and give some empirical reminders.

On July 7, the draw ceremony for the table tennis competition at the London Olympics was held at the EXCEL Sports Center in east London. The Xia team, which ranked first in all events, only sent an interpreter to attend, while its main rivals, the Korea and Ryu-Okura teams, attached great importance to the event, and many table tennis stars from both countries showed up.

Because it was a live broadcast, Li Ying watched this scene on the TV screen and smiled at Chen Daqian beside him: "Brother Qian, isn't our team taking this too lightly?"

Chen Daqian smiled and said, "According to the Olympic table tennis draw rules, the top two singles players have locked their spots in advance. You and Meng Li in the men's singles and Wang Xianlan and Ji Chuanxia in the women's singles have entered the upper and lower halves respectively. The only chance for them to meet is in the final."

"In that case, do you think that our Xiaguo team needs to take this draw seriously?"

The final draw results are out.

Li Ying, the favorite to win the men's singles title and ranked first in the world, is in the upper half. Swedish star Truss, Hong Kong star Zhao Dongyuan, French star Felix, German star Dimitri, and Ryusakura star Naganuma Atsushi may become "stumbling blocks" for Li Ying and Monri to meet in the final.

Monri, who won silver medals in two consecutive Olympic Games, is in the lower half. German star Thiem, Ryuo player Tomoaki Furukawa, Xia Guohaojiang star Qian Zhongtian, and Xia Guobao Island player Sun Guanqing will all pose a threat to him.

Among the eight famous players in the international table tennis arena today, four occupy the upper half and four occupy the lower half.

Besides.

There are also table tennis star players from other countries and regions.

In short.

The table tennis event of the Olympics is the highest stage for table tennis players.

No table tennis player will give up easily.

not to mention.

All table tennis players want that gold medal.

If I can't get it, I don't want Li to get it.

after all.

Since his debut, Li Ying stood out from the 2008 year-end finals. During the London Olympic cycle, he has won the men's singles championship of the World Table Tennis Championships twice, and even achieved three consecutive championships in the World Cup.

In the London Olympic cycle, that is, the 2008 Men's World Cup championship, it did not belong to Li Ying.

Because Li Ying had just started to make his mark in the national team at that time.

During this London Olympic cycle, Li Ying has never lost in singles or doubles!

As for those team matches that they lost, strictly speaking, Li Ying did not fail!
Because Li Ying won every match he played.

But there is nothing we can do if our teammates are not strong enough.

now.

Such a great devil in table tennis only needs one Olympic championship to achieve the Grand Slam!
More than just a Grand Slam!

Once Li Ying becomes a Grand Slam, it will be a complete Grand Slam.

Even a super grand slam!
and so.

Now that the London Olympics is about to open, the world's attention is focused on London.

Cai Zhenxia, ​​head coach of the national table tennis team, and Dong Yaobang, head coach of the men's team, approached Li Ying.

"What? You want me to be the flag bearer for the Xia National Team at the opening ceremony? Didn't they say that the flag bearer had already been decided?"

When Li Ying heard Cai Zhenxia's purpose, he was shocked.

If he remembered correctly.

very beginning.

The flag bearer of the Xia country's Olympic delegation is basketball player Yi Jianlian.

But now.

Why should we replace him?

Li Ying was very puzzled.

"What do you mean? Just tell me whether you are willing or not?" At this moment, the men's team head coach Dong Yaobang felt that Li Ying was acting like a glutton.

at this time.

Li Ying looked at Cai Zhenxia and Dong Yaobang speechlessly.

"You two came to persuade me personally, what can I do?"

It is obvious that Cai Zhenxia, ​​as the head coach of the national table tennis team, and Dong Yaobang, as the head coach of the men's team, both very much hope that Li Ying will serve as the flag bearer.

because.

This is very important for the sport of table tennis.

of course.

For Li Ying personally, his status will also be greatly improved.

Li Ying didn't know why the change happened.

at this time.

Cai Zhenxia saw Li Ying's puzzled look and couldn't help but smile: "You don't have to think about what happened behind the scenes. You just know that you are the flag bearer of our Xia Country Olympic delegation at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics!"

Cai Zhenxia was not in a position to disclose the specific reasons.

because.

This is an opinion from a higher level.

It is clear.

There is no doubt that Li Ying is liked by the top leaders and even the people of the whole country.

but.

In Cai Zhenxia's eyes, Li Ying deserves it.

Because. Since his debut, Li Ying has never been involved in any scandals.

Even though Li Ying has so many female fans!
but.

But no paparazzi took photos or fabricated any scandal about Li Ying.

all of these.

Li Ying always keeps himself clean.

Plus Li Ying’s achievements.

Since debut, he has remained undefeated!
If Cai Zhenxia had not witnessed it with his own eyes, he would probably not have dared to believe what others said.

after all!

Looking at all sports, there has never been anyone like Li Ying who has been winning streak for an entire Olympic cycle without losing a single game.

Anyway!

Li Ying became the standard-bearer because of the right time, right place and right people.

The opening ceremony of the London Olympics is here!

When the audience in Xia country saw Li Ying, the flag bearer walking in the front, on the TV screen, they were stunned!
"What the hell, what happened? Didn't they say the flag bearer was Alian?"

"The Undefeated Kirin is really impressive. He can even be the flag bearer?"

"Hey, it's not that A-Lian is not good, it's just that he has a wall hanging on him!"

"That's right, the Unbeaten Kirin is definitely cheating, haha!"

"Alian: I feel so miserable!"

"Alian: Who could have thought that the flag bearer that I had nailed on the board could be taken away?"

All of a sudden.

On the hot search list of domestic Weibo, the topic #Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer Li Ying# quickly topped the hot search list!

After the opening ceremony.

Li Ying is very tired.

after all.

Always holding the flag.

But no matter what, this time it was really a show in front of the whole world.

The day after the opening ceremony, the singles table tennis competition of the London Olympics has begun.

but.

It has little to do with Li Ying!
because.

According to the rules of the Olympic Games, the top 16 singles players directly advance to the top 32, which is the third round of the competition. Therefore, the first and second ranked players of the Xia country team, Li Ying and Meng Li, will not appear until the third round.

In the past two days, the national table tennis team has conducted special training for Li Ying and Meng Li respectively. Many players of the national table tennis team have to imitate the Eight Vajra!
Even Liang Long and Kong Fengge are no exception!
and.

If we imitate the Eight Vajra Kings, they are still the main force.

But for the sake of Xia Kingdom, they have no choice but to do it.

and.

They were all very excited.

after all.

Being able to make more contributions to Li Ying and Mengli would increase the possibility of Li Ying and Mengli meeting in the finals.

now!

Participating in the Olympics means fighting for the country!

Every athlete must raise this awareness to the highest level.

Although Li Ying didn't really need it, he didn't refuse.

after all.

Now the entire national table tennis team, including the coaching team, medical team, logistics team, athlete team, etc., are all serving him and Monli.

In this case.

The Chinese national table tennis team hopes that Li Ying and Meng Li can meet in the final.

In this way, no matter who wins, the Chinese table tennis team will be the big winner.

If Monli wins, he will wash away the shame of two silver medals.

If Li Ying wins, that would be even more amazing.

A brand new Grand Slam player will be hotly revealed.

and.

If calculated from 2011, Li Ying will be the fastest Grand Slam in history!
If we count from winning the World Table Tennis Championships and the World Cup in 2009, Li Ying will be a Grand Slam player!

Anyway!

The biggest wish of the Chinese national table tennis team is to meet in the final.

but.

This is very difficult for Monri.

At 7:30 on July 17, Beijing time, the third round of men's singles competition in the table tennis event of the London Olympics began.

The top seed Li Ying finally got to compete as a first-time Olympic athlete. This game was also Li Ying's first appearance in the Olympics in his career.

Although the opponent was not very strong, Li Ying played very actively from the first point and quickly won the first game with 11-8.

After changing places, Li Ying fell behind 1-3 at the start, but he quickly tied the score to 5. After the score was tied at 6, Li Ying scored 4 points in a row and got 10 game points at 6-4. Although his opponent saved two of them, he still won another game with 11-8 and the overall score became 2-0.

In the third game, Li Ying took an 3-8 advantage. After his opponent recovered two points and the score became 3-8, he scored three points in a row and won again with 5-3, leading 11-5.

Although he already had 3 games in hand, Li Ying still played cautiously in the 4th game. After a 2-0 start, his opponent tied the score at 3-5. After the score was tied at 4, Li Ying scored 9 points in a row. The 5-11 lead basically secured his victory. With a heavy hit that sent the opponent's ball out of bounds, Li Ying won the game 7-4, thus defeating his opponent 0-16, winning the victory and advancing to the top .

As for the top 16, there will be no weak ones.

In the next round, Li Ying's opponent will be the famous Swedish player Truss.

20pm!
The third round of the men's singles table tennis competition at the London Olympics continued, with No. 2 seed Monri appearing.

Although Monri is participating in the Olympics for the third time and can be considered a veteran, his 39-year-old opponent Schrager is participating in the Olympics for the fifth time.

This game was Monli's first game in the London Olympics. He got into the game very quickly at the beginning and quickly took the lead with 8-1. After his opponent caught up two points at 8-3, Monli scored three points in a row and won the first game 3-11.

After changing the venue, Monli fell behind 2-6 at the start. Entering the middle game, Monli tied the score to 7. After the score was tied at 8, Schlager scored three points in a row and won 11-8. The two sides tied at 1.

In the third game, the two sides were tied at 3 at the beginning, then Monli pulled the score to 4-7, and soon got 4 game points with 10-6. After that, Schlager made efforts to save three of them in succession, but Monli was more skilled at the critical moment and won 4-11.

In the 4th game, Monli was more aggressive and got the game point with 10-5, but Schlager played steadily and scored three points in a row to narrow the score to 8-10. At this time, Dong Yaobang, who was serving as an off-court coach, requested a timeout and reminded Monli not to be conservative and to attack when it was time to do so. This also allowed Monli to return to the court and control the situation again, winning 11-8 and taking a 3-1 lead.

In the 5th game, both sides fought fiercely at the beginning. After the scores were tied at 2 and 3, Schlager scored 3 points in a row to lead 6-3. Then Monri scored 4 points in a row to reverse the score to 7-6. Schlager requested a timeout, but the timeout did not help him turn the situation around. Monri finally secured the victory with 11-9 and advanced to the round of 16.

His opponent in the round of 16 will be the famous Ryuo table tennis player Tomoaki Furukawa.

Starting from the round of 16, Li Ying and Meng Li faced very strong opponents in every game!
If you want to reach the finals, you must defeat one heavyweight table tennis superstar after another!

only if.

Only then can we successfully complete the task of meeting in the finals.

Now when Li Ying and Mengli play in a competition, whether in singles matches or off-court coaching, they are all provided by Dong Yaobang!
at this time.

Chen Daqian and Wu Weijing are not qualified to serve as off-court coaches for Li Ying and Mengli!

because.

They can't afford the responsibility if they lose the game.

But Dong Yaobang was different, he was the head coach of the men's team.

Tianran is tied to Li Ying and Mengli!
Let’s celebrate together when we win and bear the loss together!

(End of this chapter)