Table tennis: Swinging the racket billions of times, achieving a grand slam

Chapter 129: Lima race ends, Macau Championship begins (7K)

A little silence.

Tilt your head back and take a deep breath.

After calming down from the joy of winning the championship, Chen Jin walked forward and shook hands with the two referees.

Then, turn around.

Wave to the audience.

In fact, the auditorium was already empty at this time.

The few audience members who were there to begin with stood up and prepared to leave.

However, Chen Jin still has a few most staunch supporters.

"Brother Jin!"

Zhang Jiahao used all his strength and shouted at the top of his lungs, "You are the champion, the eternal champion!"

"You...cough cough cough..."

His voice had already become hoarse from shouting throughout the game.

He tried his best to utter the last few words.

"You're yelling at the top of your lungs, so you don't want your vocal cords anymore, right?"

Xie Mingyang glanced at him and frowned.

Among all the people in the audience, Zhang Jiahao was the most excited.

When I won the men's doubles championship with Xie Mingyang, I was much calmer than I am now.

"Are you in charge?"

Zhang Jiahao's voice was hoarse and he was almost unable to speak.

last row.

In a corner where no one cares.

When she saw Chen Jin win the championship, Li Linghan also jumped up with excitement.

"Wow!"

"List--"

But, she didn't shout out in the end, but clapped silently.

Looking at Chen Jin from afar, it seemed as if there was a brilliant light.

Li Linghan said softly: "Chen Jin, congratulations."

immediately.

Come quietly and leave quietly.

No one except Chen Jin noticed her existence.

"Thanks."

As if he heard Li Linghan's silent congratulations, Chen Jin looked at Li Linghan's back and responded softly.

Back to the sidelines.

Li Qian, with an excited look on his face, suddenly hugged Chen Jin into his arms.

"Well done!"

It seemed like there were thousands of words to say, but they were stuck in Li Qian's throat and he couldn't utter them out.

From being not very optimistic at first, I witnessed Chen Jin overcome all obstacles.

A fledgling new player swept Francesca and shut out Darko Jockey K, defeating two great European table tennis players in a row!
The value of this championship is self-evident.

but.

For Chen Jin.

Winning a regular challenge is just the beginning.

The upcoming Macau Championship will be a gathering of real top players.

Although Ma Long and Fan Zhendong have withdrawn from the competition, Wang Chuqin, Felix, Hugo, Ocharov... are all the ones he wants to challenge and defeat!

"Thanks for your hard work."

Li Qian let go of Chen Jin, pinched his nose, and calmed down his agitated emotions. "Wipe off the sweat first, take a rest, and tidy up your appearance."

"what?"

Chen Jin was stunned. "Arrange... the remains?"

"Appearance and appearance."

Li Qian smiled and said, "The championship awards ceremony will begin soon. We won the competition, and we can't lose in terms of handsomeness."

Since the level of the Lima event is not high, it does not attract much attention.

The contestants basically come here for the points.

Especially Francesca and Darko.

According to the current rules of WTT, the more points you have, the more eligible you are to participate in higher-level competitions.

For example, championships, grand slams, and finals.

The award ceremony area was quite simple.

There were no press interviews and no acceptance speeches.

Chen Jin and Dako stood side by side, holding their respective trophies and gold medals, smiling and giving a thumbs-up to the camera.

"Whoo~"

Li Qian stood not far away, watching this scene, and let out a long sigh, feeling relieved.

"By the way, such a big thing must be reported to the leader immediately."

Think of this.

Li Qian quickly took out his mobile phone from his pocket, took two photos and sent them to Wang Hao.

"It should be early morning in China now. Coach Wang is probably sleeping soundly."

"I hope I won't disturb Coach Wang's sweet dream."

The mind has not changed.

Without waiting for him to put the phone back in his pocket.

Woo~
The phone suddenly vibrated.

"Ok?"

Li Qian was slightly startled, and took a look at it. "Fuck, Coach Wang?"

He never expected that Wang Hao would reply in seconds: "Chen Jin won the championship?"

"Yes, champion!!!"

Li Qian fiercely pressed a series of more than a dozen exclamation marks.

After a while, Wang Hao replied: "I understand."

"When are you coming back?"

"Can you make it by the fifth of next month?"

The fifth of next month?
What day?
Li Qian thought about it for a moment and reacted immediately.

The Macau Championship will start on September 9th.

The coaching staff and players of the national table tennis team must go to Macau in advance to adapt to the venue and participate in the draw.

The reason why Wang Hao asked about the return date was obviously because he was worried that Chen Jin would miss the Macau Championship.

"So, the higher-ups really intend to give the wildcard spot for the Macau Championship to Chen Jin?"

Li Qian couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Different from outsourcing.

In the Chinese national table tennis team, young players like Chen Jin's age have no chance or qualifications to participate in a competition of the level of the Macau Championship.

If you can participate in the Youth Challenge and WTT feeder competitions, you will be considered to be the focus of training.

And this time, the Chinese national table tennis team actually allowed Chen Jin to participate in the Macau Championships.

It is absolutely an unprecedented decision.

However, having said that, Chen Jin's performance in the Lima competition shows that he is fully capable of participating in the Macau Championship.

It is impossible to win the championship, but there is still hope to compete for the top eight.

For Chen Jin, it is both an opportunity and a challenge.

The level of the Macau Championship and the attention it attracts are by no means comparable to regular challenge tournaments like the Lima station.

If Chen Jin can get a good result in the Macau Championship.

Soaring into the sky is not a dream!

"The flight has been booked. The flight is at 8:50 tomorrow night."

Li Qian typed quickly, "If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be back in the afternoon of the 30th."

"it is good."

Wang Hao’s reply was very concise.

Subsequently.

After waiting for a long time, there was no response.

Li Qian had just put his cell phone into his pocket when he looked up and saw Chen Jin walking towards him with a cup in his hand.

"Let me touch it."

Li Qian rubbed his palms, his face full of excitement, "This is the first international singles championship I have won as an off-court coach in my life."

Chen Jin was not stingy either. He handed the trophy to Li Qian with a smile and put the gold medal on him.

"we are the champion!"

Li Qian held the cup in both hands, raised it high, and pretended to shout.

After satisfying my craving.

He put his hands down and looked at the trophy, with a gleam in his eyes.

“This thing is pretty heavy.”

Li Qian smiled.

"It's just right to use it as a stepping stone."

Chen Jin smiled.

"Yes."

Li Qian smiled slightly.

It was because of this trophy that Chen Jin successfully opened the door to the Macau Championship.

Pack up your things and leave the stadium.

The entrance to the stadium.

Zhang Jiahao and Xie Mingyang had been waiting for a long time.

As soon as he saw Chen Jin, Zhang Jiahao pounced on him like a whirlwind.

"Is this the trophy for the singles champion?"

Zhang Jiahao's voice was still hoarse, but the excitement on his face did not diminish at all, "Touch it, touch it, and get a taste of the champion's luck."

"What's wrong with your voice?"

Chen Jinqi said.

"I was so excited when I saw you win that I shouted until I was hoarse."

Xie Mingyang put his hands in his pockets.

"..."

Chen Jin was speechless.

At this moment.

Zhang Jiahao had already put the gold medal around his neck. He took out his phone with one hand and held the trophy with the other: "I want to take a picture and post it on WeChat Moments."

"Brother Jin, Teacher Li, come together."

Zhang Jiahao called out, "And there's someone named Xie, do you want to take a picture?"

"No."

Xie Mingyang shook his head and walked to the side.

"cut!"

Zhang Jiahao curled his lips, "I don't even want you to appear in my circle of friends."

He pulled Chen Jin and Li Qian together, held up their phones, and took excited selfies.

Click!

Light and shadow freeze.

Even Xie Mingyang's figure appeared in the corner of the photo.

"He has shifty eyes and looks like a ghost."

Zhang Jiahao looked disgusted, "Bah, bad luck."

Although he said this, he still kept the photo.

At this moment.

The sound of footsteps came from behind.

Looking back, I saw Ye Sijia walking towards this side accompanied by Coach Deng Yang.

Next.

It was the women's singles final.

Deng Yang asked: "How was the game?"

"champion!"

Zhang Jiahao proudly raised the gold medal hanging around his neck.

"Well done."

Deng Yang was full of praise.

"congratulations."

Ye Sijia said to Chen Jin with a smile.

"Thank you."

Chen Jinbao smiled and said, "Good luck in the finals. We will come together to watch your game later."

"Ah."

Ye Sijia nodded.

……

Return to the room.

Everyone rested for a while.

Chen Jin took a shower and changed his clothes.

"I vaguely remember someone saying that when my brother Jin wins the singles championship, we'll open champagne to celebrate in the evening."

Zhang Jiahao said, "Someone else said they would treat us to a meal and drink in Lima."

Li Qian and Xie Mingyang looked at each other and said with a smile: "You have a good memory, kid."

"I'll go get some champagne later."

Xie Mingyang said: "Coach Li, let's celebrate together after the women's singles match is over."

"I remember there's a pretty good Chifa restaurant in Lima's Chinatown. How about we go there for dinner?"

Without waiting for Li Qian to speak.

Zhang Jiahao asked first: "You're going to pay, right?"

"Ah."

“Can I eat as much as I want?”

"Of course."

"Oh!"

Zhang Jiahao made an OK gesture, feeling satisfied.

Boy, are you pretending to be a rich man?

Look, I’m going to bankrupt you with this meal!
While talking.

Chen Jin came out of the shower.

Without resting, he headed to the stadium.

When they arrived, the women's singles final had already started.

Just as Deng Yang said before.

Neon team's Ooto Satsuki is like a replica of Sun Yingsha in terms of physical fitness and playing style.

Although her strength, speed and rotation are not top-notch among female players, they should not be underestimated.

but.

Ye Sijia's strength is also unquestionable.

The match between the two was quite exciting.

The score was tense, rising alternately.

In the end, the battle lasted seven rounds.

Ye Sijia lost to Oto Satsuki with a score of 3:4 and finished second.

Although I didn't win the championship, it was a very good result to achieve such a result in my first international competition.

At this point, all competitions of the 2024 WTT Regular Challenge Lima Station have ended.

Chen Jin and his team ended the competition successfully with four championships and one runner-up.

Wait until Ye Sijia and Da Teng Shayue finish presenting the awards.

Everyone came to the stadium.

Nine men and women took a group photo.

……

Beijing time, 8:30.

National table tennis training hall.

Wang Hao folded his hands across his chest, walked back and forth on the sidelines, and took a look around.

But his eyes kept glancing towards the women's team.

Wait until Marin is free.

Wang Hao walked over calmly, with the gait of a casual uncle.

"Cough cough."

Wang Hao whispered, "Chen Jin won the championship."

"really?"

Marlin was surprised and happy.

"Li Qian sent me a message at five in the morning."

Wang Hao yawned, "Moreover, he won the championship by defeating Francesca and Dako in a row."

"I go."

Marin laughed and said, "This championship is of great value."

"As expected of Master Wu's disciple, our little junior brother is really quite capable."

"The key is, does Coach Liu know this news?"

At the beginning, during the U16 selection, Liu Guoliang publicly promised that as long as Chen Jin could win the Lima station championship, he would make an exception and allow Chen Jin to participate in the Macau Championship.

And now, Chen Jin has successfully won the championship.

As witnesses, they should also ask indirect questions and urge Coach Liu to fulfill his promise.

"I'll do the work, don't worry."

Wang Hao chuckled, "I sent a message to Coach Liu early in the morning to report the situation."

"Coach Liu said he would come to see me at 8:30." Yesterday in the cafeteria, with his assistance, Liu Guoliang made the promise again.

Logically speaking, Chen Jin’s qualification for the competition has been confirmed.

"Half past eight?"

Ma Lin took out his cell phone and checked the time. "It's almost nine o'clock."

"As a leader, being late is the norm, being on time is weird."

Wang Hao smiled.

Just as the two were chatting enthusiastically.

His eyes turned.

But Liu Guoliang finally arrived late.

"Coach Liu."

Wang Hao and Ma Lin hurried to greet them.

"Chen Jin won the championship?"

Liu Guoliang was full of joy, "Good boy, you are indeed a good candidate."

"So... a wildcard spot for the Macau Championship?"

Wang Hao asked tentatively.

"Just him."

Liu Guoliang said, "Send Chen Jin's information to the organizer."

"The four wild card names will be officially announced on the 31st."

"Also, you should immediately arrange a trending search. It doesn't have to be too high, around 40, and say 'WTT Lima Station Newcomers Sweep Dako to Win'. Anyway, that's the meaning, just promote it."

"Is it a sweep?"

Wang Hao nodded and said, "It's a sweep."

Before this, he had already checked on WTT's official website.

Not only did Chen Jin sweep Dako with a big score of 4:0, but he also won the third game with 11:2.

Recalling the Doha final at the beginning of the year when Fan Zhendong defeated Dako 3:2, Wang Hao's heart began to ache again.

"not bad, very good."

Liu Guoliang smiled and said, "I am very curious about what kind of results Chen Jin can achieve in the Macau Championship."

Not just him.

Wang Hao and Ma Lin are also looking forward to it.

In addition to Chen Jin, there are two other straight-blade players participating in the Macau Championship this time.

Felix Lebrun of France.

Qiu Dang of the German team.

Especially Felix.

At such a young age, he has already won the Olympic bronze medal in singles.

He is currently the only straight-blade player to make it into the top ten in the world.

"I wonder if Chen Jin will have a chance to meet Felix or Qiu Dang this time?"

Wang Hao and Ma Lin looked at each other and said, "After so many years, it's time for our Chinese team to release a straight blade!"

……

Finished our meal from Chinatown.

When we returned to our rooms, it was almost twelve o'clock.

Zhang Jiahao sat on the bed, burping. He rubbed his round belly with his hand, a contented look on his face.

“If you don’t go out and take a look around, you won’t know that there are so many Chinese people in Lima.”

Chen Jin smiled and said, "Even their diet is a bit similar to ours."

"Chifa... should be the transliteration of our 'eating'."

"almost."

Xie Mingyang explained, "To be precise, it should be the Cantonese word 'eat rice'."

"I see."

Chen Jin nodded.

"cut!"

Zhang Jiahao pouted and muttered in a voice that only he could hear, "He just likes to show off, as if he thinks he has seen a lot of the world."

He had already opened his stomach and ate to his heart's content for this meal tonight.

Although he couldn't understand the menu, he just ordered according to a standard, which was to order whatever was more expensive.

As he nodded, he said in his heart: "I'll let you show off, I'll let you show off..."

however.

Unexpectedly.

When checking out, Xie Mingyang swiped his card without even blinking.

Zhang Jiahao was stunned at the time: "Could this guy really be some rich guy?"

"When eating abroad, can we just pay with a credit card without exchanging money?"

Zhang Jiahao was not in a position to confront the person directly.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket and laid back.

Open the software.

"Fuck!"

Suddenly, Zhang Jiahao, who had originally calmed down, seemed to have discovered something important and sat up abruptly.

crunch~
The bed shook.

"what happened?"

Seeing his startled look, Chen Jin frowned and asked.

"Brother Jin."

Zhang Jiahao said excitedly, "You are on the trending search."

"what?"

Chen Jin was slightly stunned.

"real."

Zhang Jiahao took the phone and flew to Chen Jin's side, "Look for yourself."

"WTT Lima Station newcomers swept Dako to win the championship..."

At the same time, Xie Mingyang, who was playing on his phone, also noticed, "It really became a trending search, this speed is good."

Click in and take a look.

I haven't posted much, just a few.

Most of them are sports marketing accounts, and they posted highlights of the final between Chen Jin and Dako, as well as photos of Chen Jin holding the trophy.

It is obvious that this hot search was deliberately arranged.

"Why are all the posts from marketing accounts? And there are so few of them."

Zhang Jiahao rolled up his sleeves and said excitedly, "No, I have to share my own experience and turn up the heat."

"Isn't it necessary?"

Chen Jin smiled bitterly.

"Brother Jin, don't worry about this. Let me take care of it."

That’s all.

Zhang Jiahao jumped back onto his bed.

"Brothers in the prisoner-of-war camp, I have good news for you. My brother Jin has just won the men's singles championship in Lima."

"Look at the trending searches, look at the trending searches, we must push this popularity up."

……

"Brothers from the provincial team, I have good news for you. My brother Jin just won the men's singles championship in Lima."

"Look at the trending searches, look at the trending searches, we must push this popularity up."

……

"My dear family, I have good news for you..."

As soon as Zhang Jiahao’s message was released.

In an instant, even Chen Jin's cell phone started vibrating wildly.

Pick up the phone and take a look.

Various congratulatory messages poured in like a tide.

"It's over."

Chen Jin sighed, "I wanted to go to bed early, but now I have to stay up late to reply to messages again."

The next day.

There is no competition, so I can just sleep until I wake up naturally.

Everyone had agreed last night to take a walk around Lima before leaving.

Anyway, it’s still early before boarding time.

What's more, all the food and drink expenses were paid for by Master Xie.

6:30 p.m.

After dinner, everyone dragged their luggage and headed to the airport.

8:50, boarding on time.

Through the window, I took a last look at this foreign city with its dim lights.

“I hope I’ll have the chance to come to Lima again and have a good time.”

Zhang Jiahao said.

“There’s definitely a chance.”

Chen Jin smiled and said, "There should be regular challenge competitions in Lima next year."

"..."

The smile on Zhang Jiahao's face disappeared instantly.

the other side.

Xie Mingyang put on headphones, listened to soothing music, sat upright, and closed his eyes to rest.

Nearly thirty hours later.

The plane finally landed and arrived at the Capital Airport.

The moment you step onto your own land, you can feel the hot breeze of the scorching summer.

Zhang Jiahao was intoxicated: "Girls are better in other places, the moon is brighter in my hometown, and even the wind smells fragrant."

Out of the airport.

Take a taxi to the General Training Administration.

More than two hours later, after several days, I returned to the triple dormitory.

Pushing the suitcase to the corner, Zhang Jiahao threw himself onto the bed like a puddle of mud.

"I'm so tired, so sleepy, and so hungry."

Zhang Jiahao seemed to melt into the bed, unable to get up again. "I guess we don't have to train tonight."

"Coach Li has informed us to gather at the training hall at 8:30."

Xie Mingyang glanced at his phone and said, "We still have more than an hour to take a shower, eat, and rest."

"what?"

Zhang Jiahao had a sad face and suddenly wanted to die, "Are we going to be able to live?"

"We haven't adjusted to the time difference yet, and we're already starting training?"

"Am I on the national team or the prank team?"

Chen Jin stood up and walked towards the bathroom: "Student Zhang, you don't want to be sent back to the provincial team, do you?"

"?"

Zhang Jiahao sighed to the sky and finally got up from the bed.

eight thirty.

The three of them showed up at the training hall on time.

The training hall is brightly lit.

The sound of balls hitting each other continued.

The one who greeted them was not Li Qian, but the head coach of the men's team, Wang Hao.

“The results of this Lima race are very good and deserve praise.”

Wang Hao was all smiles, "Especially Chen Jin, who competed in two events and lived up to expectations by winning the men's singles championship."

"So, after careful consideration, the coaching team finally decided to let Chen Jin participate in the Macau Championship as a wildcard player."

In fact, Wang Hao had already told Li Qian the news in Lima, and Li Qian had already told Chen Jin about it.

Now hearing Wang Hao’s announcement in person, Chen Jin felt more at ease.

"Of course, Xie Mingyang, Zhang Jiahao, you two also performed very well this time."

Wang Hao continued, "Therefore, the coaching staff has decided to make an exception and allow the two of you to go to the Macau Championship together as sparring partners."

"Sparring partner?"

Xie Mingyang frowned secretly, "You actually asked me to be your sparring partner?"

When he was in the Shanghai team, he enjoyed the best training resources in the team, like a star surrounded by stars.

But when he arrived at the national team, he could only become a sparring partner for others.

I thought we had achieved a good result of reaching the top four in singles in Lima.

Although he cannot be compared with Chen Jin, at least he can go out and play some side games.

The result is that he ends up being used as a sparring partner.

With a glance, he saw an unwilling look on Xie Mingyang's face.

Wang Hao knew what he was thinking and said sternly, "Don't think that letting you be sparring partners means burying you. You have to understand that this is the national table tennis team, and countless world-class players gather here."

"Here, not just anyone can serve as a sparring partner for the main players."

"Me, Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong... Which one of us didn't start out as a sparring partner?"

"Take Zhang Jike for example. He was my sparring partner at first, but he won a Grand Slam by stepping on my head."

"Except for Ma Long and Fan Zhendong, all other main players of the national table tennis team will participate in this Macau Championship."

"Have you ever thought about it carefully? Being a sparring partner for the main players is an opportunity that many people would love to have."

talking.

Wang Hao looked at Xie Mingyang meaningfully.

"I understand."

Xie Mingyang lowered his head and said, "Thank you, Coach Wang."

As Wang Hao said, not everyone can serve as a sparring partner for the main players of the national table tennis team.

What's more, it's not impossible to practice skills by sparring.

For young players, this is an opportunity they have been longing for.

"no need to thank me."

Wang Hao smiled and said, "You should thank Director Wang more. He thinks highly of you."

Hear the words.

Xie Mingyang was stunned for a moment.

As for Zhang Jiahao, he had no resistance to arrangements such as being a sparring partner.

Instead, I was delighted.

"So, I can go to the Macau Championship with Brother Jin?"

Zhang Jiahao was overjoyed.

Originally, he was still worried that after returning from the Lima competition, Chen Jin would go to Macau to participate in the championship.

Since I am not eligible to participate, I will probably get another card.

Either training or participating in other competitions.

No matter what, I have to separate from Chen Jin.

I feel very reluctant.

Over the past two and a half years, he and Chen Jin have been together day and night, and they are like father and son.

It's quite painful to separate suddenly.

But now, after hearing Wang Hao's arrangement, I was so happy that I couldn't wait to refuse.

"Yes."

Wang Hao continued, "The Macau Championship will start on September 9th, and the draw will be on the 7th."

"We will leave for Macau two days in advance, before the draw."

"As for these few days, we are training here just like before."

Speaking of which.

Wang Hao paused and glanced around, "Any other questions?"

"Have."

Zhang Jiahao raised his hand.

"speak."

Wang Hao said.

"May I ask who is our head coach?"

Zhang Jiahao chuckled, "Is it Coach Wang who's guiding you?"

This statement came out.

This immediately attracted the cold stares from Chen Jin and Xie Mingyang.

Boy, what the hell are you thinking about?

The person in front of you is the head coach of the Chinese men's table tennis team!

"Uh……"

Wang Hao was not annoyed, he smiled and said, "Wait for tomorrow's arrangement."

"Oh."

Zhang Jiahao muttered in a low voice, "Could it be Li Jiao?"

"Zhang Jiahao, during this period of time, you will be Chen Jin's sparring partner and prepare for the Macau Championship together with Chen Jin."

Wang Hao said.

"yes sir!"

Zhang Jiahao stood at attention.

"You two must be tired after sitting on the plane for such a long time. Go back and rest today."

Wang Hao turned to Xie Mingyang and said, "Xie Mingyang, come with me."

Watching Xie Mingyang follow Wang Hao to a practice table, Zhang Jiahao whispered, "Why did Coach Wang leave Xie alone?"

"Maybe there are other arrangements."

Chen Jin looked up.

But Wang Hao was seen leading Xie Mingyang to meet another young man, and they seemed to be communicating something.

Lin Shidong?
Could it be that Xie Mingyang is Lin Shidong's sparring partner this time?
　Sorry it's so late, today is really the limit.

　　+2K tomorrow.

　　(The original wild card for the Macau Championship was Xu Yingbin. Xu Yingbin's first-round opponent in the draw was Chuang Chih-Yuan, and his second-round opponent was Wang Chu-Chin... Let's just consider this as a preview.)
　　
　
(End of this chapter)