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

Chapter 250 Fukuoka Finals and World Youth Championship

"Next, it's the champion's exclusive moment."

"Please ask the runner-up to leave."

At the host's reminder.

After taking a photo with Chen Jin, Lin Shidong turned and left with the runner-up trophy.

Cheers and applause from the entire audience rang in his ears, all directed towards Chen Jin.

Lin Shidong walked slowly, looking increasingly lonelier.

Three fights, three defeats.

Moreover, each defeat was more tragic than the last.

What made Lin Shidong even more regretful was that in the third game, he was clearly leading at the start.

But in the end, he failed to seize the opportunity and lost the game.

In competitive sports, the winner is the king and the loser is dust.

No one will remember the runner-up unless you are always the runner-up.

For example, Wang Hao in table tennis.

For example, the Datuk in badminton.

But, for those who always get runner-up, this is also a kind of pain.

“If we had won the third game, maybe the outcome would have been very different.”

Lin Shidong originally thought that the only three big mountains standing in front of him were Ma Long, Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin.

Now, Chen Jin suddenly appears out of nowhere.

Even more terrifying than predecessors like Ma Taki.

Lin Shidong only felt a vastness in front of his eyes, as if he was walking alone in an endless wilderness, with no stars and no direction.

An inexplicable and heavy feeling of fatigue came over him, and he almost fell asleep.

Dragging his body that felt like it was filled with lead, he walked out of the stadium along the passage.

When I looked up, I saw a figure.

"Coach Wang?"

Lin Shidong was stunned.

Then, a hint of bitterness appeared on the corner of his mouth, "Are you waiting for Chen Jin to come out?"

Cheer up and step forward.

He greeted her: "Coach Wang."

Having said this, he was about to leave.

“We played well in this match.”

Wang Hao smiled.

I lost so badly, and this is not bad?

Lin Shidong smiled bitterly, thinking that such insincere comfort was unnecessary.

As if he could see what Lin Shidong was thinking, Wang Hao walked up to Lin Shidong and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Falk, Duda, Matsushima Terusora, Lin Yun-ju, including today's Chen Jin, which one of them is not a world-class table tennis player?"

Wang Hao said seriously, "Isn't it good to defeat so many masters and get the runner-up?"

"You are still not satisfied. How embarrassed are those players who lost to you?"

Hear the words.

Lin Shidong was stunned for a moment: "But..."

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Wang Hao.

"Keep a calm mind, you are still young, and the next Olympic cycle will be your peak."

Wang Hao looked at Lin Shidong and said, "When the time comes, everything that is needed will be there."

The implication couldn't be more obvious.

Lin Shidong's body shook.

With his intelligence, how could he not understand what Wang Hao meant?

He was only nineteen years old, and even four years later, he would only be twenty-three years old.

For athletes, this age is definitely the real golden peak period.

Moreover, by that time, someone like Fan Zhendong might have already abdicated.

And Wang Chuqin also had to give up his position.

In this way, if Lin Shidong can maintain his current competitive level, he will definitely become an absolute main force in the next Olympic cycle four years later.

"The most important thing for you now is to study."

I heard Wang Hao continue, "Learn from opponents who are stronger than you."

"After playing these few games with Chen Jin, don't you think Chen Jin's backhand looks a little familiar?"

"I talked to Chen Jin before. When he was in the provincial team, he watched the match between you and Xiao Pang in the Singapore Grand Slam over a hundred times."

"In some places, he even analyzes and summarizes frame by frame, integrating your backhand technique and turning it into his own."

"Not only that game, but almost all of your game videos, including the club games you participated in when you were a child, he watched them all over again, analyzing your game habits and technical iterations..."

Hear this.

Lin Shidong couldn't help but widen his eyes, a look of shock on his face.

Top athletes all have the habit of studying their opponents.

However, this was the first time Lin Shidong had heard of someone as meticulous as Chen Jin.

"So, it is by no means accidental that Chen Jin has the strength and achievements he has now, nor is it as simple as a gift from the sky."

Whenever Wang Hao mentioned Chen Jin, a hint of doting would unconsciously appear in the depths of his eyes, as if he was an old father talking to outsiders about his outstanding eldest son, "It's not scary to have a purple star from the sky. What's scary is that he works harder than you."

Lin Shidong was silent.

Looking down at the trophy in my hand, I suddenly felt that the value of this runner-up trophy seemed very heavy.

I felt a lot more relieved and relaxed.

Seeing Lin Shidong's expression relax, Wang Hao smiled slightly and put his hand on Lin Shidong's shoulder: "Always put yourself in the second position and learn from your opponent, so that you can improve."

"clear."

Lin Shidong's eyes suddenly became more resolute, "Thank you, Coach Wang."

"small stone."

Wang Hao said solemnly, "You have to understand, if I didn't think highly of you, I wouldn't even bother scolding you. I would just let you go, not caring about you or not caring about you. Why would I bother making myself unhappy?"

What he said was naturally referring to the Montpellier Championship, when Lin Shidong was defeated by Felix and was scolded by him.

"Coach Wang, I..."

Lin Shidong suddenly choked up.

For some reason, a warm current rose from my abdomen and instantly broke through the depression in my heart.

Tears almost burst out of my eyes.

"All right."

Wang Hao smiled gently, "I remember you haven't been home for more than two years."

"Ah."

Lin Shidong took a deep breath and nodded.

"After playing mixed group, take some time to go home and visit your parents and family."

Wang Hao said, "After that, we have to prepare for the World Table Tennis Championships tomorrow, so we don't have much time."

"Yes."

Once the knot in his heart was untied, Lin Shidong immediately felt a lot more relaxed.

……

After the award ceremony.

Under the guidance of the staff, Chen Jin walked out of the stadium holding the championship trophy.

Gymnasium, main entrance.

A government car had been waiting for a long time.

Get in the car quickly.

"Hi."

Someone smiled and took the initiative to greet Chen Jin.

Chen Jin was slightly startled, and looked up: "Sister Man Yu?"

The person who took the initiative to greet him was none other than Wang Manyu, one of the three main players in the women's team.

Since joining the national team, Chen Jin has traveled around to participate in competitions and has never trained with the women's team.

The entire female team, except for Ye Sijia, Lin Xinyu and Li Linghan, is not very familiar with each other.

Of course, given Wang Manyu's fame, he had naturally heard of her.

"Win the championship again?"

Looking at the trophy in Chen Jin's hand, Wang Manyu praised, "If I remember correctly, you should have won five consecutive championships now."

"lucky."

Chen Jin said modestly.

Immediately, he sat down next to Wang Manyu.

"Then you are really lucky." Wang Manyu said with a smile.

Although she is in the women's team, she also knows that the men's team has recently produced a talented straight-blade player.

Lima Regular Challenge, Macau Championship, Beijing Grand Slam, Montpellier Championship, and this Frankfurt Championship, he has won all the way without a single defeat.

At such an age, with such achievements, it is unprecedented in the world of table tennis.

Not to mention the men's team, even in the women's team's recent dormitory night talks, Chen Jin's appearance, games and records have become endless topics of conversation.

"I heard from Xiao Sijia that you also made it through the U16 trials?"

Wang Manyu asked.

"Correct."

Chen Jin nodded.

From the tone in which Wang Manyu mentioned Ye Sijia, it seemed that she admired Ye Sijia very much.

“This selection competition is amazing.”

Wang Manyu sighed, "With you on the men's team and Xiao Sijia on the women's team, the future of the national table tennis team will belong to you sooner or later."

In the previous Montpellier Championship, Ye Sijia won the championship, and everyone thought that there was a lot of luck involved.

But in this competition, Ye Sijia fought her way through the siege and met Wang Manyu in the final.

Not only that, the little girl started the final with a big score of 2:0, catching the long-famous Wang Manyu off guard and making many people look at her with admiration.

If it weren't for Wang Manyu's experience and determination, Ye Sijia might have won the championship trophy again.

However, in this game, Wang Manyu was deeply impressed by Ye Sijia.

Conversation room.

The car drove slowly towards Rhine-Main International Airport to take promotional photos for the champion city.

After the photoshoot, we returned to the hotel.

The Chinese national table tennis team had already prepared a celebratory banquet to congratulate Chen Jin and Wang Manyu.

After three rounds of drinking.

Several national table tennis bigwigs, including Liu Guoliang, Qin Zhijian, Li Suo and Wang Hao, surrounded Chen Jin.

"Fukuoka finals, do well."

Liu Guoliang raised his wine glass, patted Chen Jin on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "This is one of the nine major competitions, and it has a high gold content."

According to the rules of the WTT annual finals, the singles event qualification is based on the world ranking, and the top sixteen players will automatically qualify.

If there is a withdrawal, the vacancy will be filled.

Now, Chen Jin has won the Frankfurt Championship with 5400 points, which is enough to put him among the top three in the world rankings.

A 15-year-old boy ranked third in the world in just two months, which has set a record in the history of table tennis.

Therefore, Chen Jin naturally became the third seed in the Fukuoka finals.

The only two people ahead of him were Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong.

Of course, this is when Ma Long and Fan Zhendong retired consecutively and their points stagnated.

When Liu Guoliang mentioned the "Nine Majors" in public, he was obviously optimistic about Chen Jin and thought that Chen Jin was very likely to be the next Super Grand Slam.

"Yes!"

Chen Jin nodded solemnly, "No matter what the competition is, I will do my best."

“From the moment I decided to embark on my professional career, I had only one goal – to win the championship!”

"I will defeat every opponent that comes my way before I win the championship."

His words and expressions all revealed a confidence that came from within.

If these words were spoken by someone else, they might be ridiculed as arrogant and conceited.

But Chen Jin's current achievements are enough to support these words.

To everyone, there was no trace of disharmony. Instead, they smiled at each other and appreciated it even more.

"very good."

Liu Guoliang smiled and said, "Young men should have this kind of confidence and fighting spirit."

"The schedule is quite tight recently, with people traveling around the country non-stop. Can you handle it?"

In the past two months, I have traveled from Lima to Macau, from Macau to BJ, from BJ to Montpellier, and then to Frankfurt.

The journey was tiring and the journey was non-stop.

Add to that issues such as jet lag, diet, and high-intensity training and competition.

It is a huge test for ordinary players.

"be able to stand."

Chen Jin nodded, "No problem."

"That's good."

Liu Guoliang said, "After the Fukuoka finals, there is the World Youth Championship, and you have to go to Sweden."

"World Youth Championship?"

Chen Jin was stunned for a moment.

"Correct."

Liu Guoliang smiled slightly, "I originally planned to let you participate in the Mixed Team World Cup, but after thinking it over, I decided to let you participate in the World Youth Championship."

"At your age, if you don't win a World Youth Championship, your career will not be complete."

The World Youth Championships, full name is "World Youth Table Tennis Championships."

Since 2003, it has been held once a year, divided into U15 and U19.

For example, national players such as Ma Long and Fan Zhendong have won singles titles at the World Youth Championships.

In addition to singles, there are also team and doubles events, which are a good opportunity for the younger generation of players to train.

Although Chen Jin is invincible in singles, team competitions and doubles are also compulsory courses for him to be an absolute main force.

"Your task in this World Youth Championship is heavy and will test your ability to handle three events."

Liu Guoliang continued, "Especially men's doubles and mixed doubles. When we return, we will put this on the agenda."

As we all know, in the Chinese national table tennis team, being a master in three events is an absolute right of being the main force.

The reason why Liu Guoliang arranged Chen Jin to participate in the World Youth Championship was obviously to see Chen Jin's ability in three events.

Chen Jin thought for a moment and asked, "Besides me, who else will participate in the World Youth Championship?"

"There are four quotas for U19, you, Xie Mingyang, Huang Youzheng, and..."

Liu Guoliang hasn't finished speaking yet.

Chen Jin asked first: "Can Zhang Jiahao play men's doubles with me?"

"Zhang Jiahao and I play doubles, and we are invincible."

This statement came out.

Liu Guoliang frowned slightly: "Zhang Jiahao? The name sounds familiar."

"He's the guy who got into a fight with Liu Dingshuo in Macau and was sent back to the provincial team."

Wang Hao reminded, "The third place winner of the trials, a left-handed horizontal player, is also a good candidate."

"Oh."

Liu Guoliang then remembered, "I almost forgot... How is he doing in the provincial team now?"

"I just won the singles championship in the national championships."

Chen Jin said hurriedly.

"Oh?"

Liu Guoliang smiled and said, "This kid is pretty good."

"Besides, the winner was Huang Youzheng."

Chen Jin immediately added.

Although he did not say it explicitly, the people present were very smart, especially Liu Guoliang, who would surely hear the hidden meaning.

"is it?"

Liu Guoliang smiled and pondered for a moment, "It's not impossible to let him participate in the World Youth Championship..."

"How about this, let him come to the headquarters and try it out first. If the two of you work well together, let him go to Sweden with you."

According to his original plan, he wanted Chen Jin and Huang Youzheng to try to pair up in men's doubles.

The two of them, one on the right and one on the left, are just right.

And now, Chen Jin recommended Zhang Jiahao, and his words and expression were very confident.

Doubles is all about permutations and combinations of players to find the best match.

It wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

What's more, Zhang Jiahao was able to win the men's singles championship in the National Championships, which shows his considerable strength.

Even his defeated opponent Huang Youzheng can participate in the World Youth Championship. If he is excluded, it will inevitably attract criticism from the outside world.

Seeing Liu Guoliang agreed, Chen Jin was overjoyed: "Thank you, Coach Liu. I will contact Zhang Jiahao later."

"Our flight tomorrow afternoon will be at 12pm, so we should land at am on the th."

Liu Guoliang smiled and said, "Let Zhang Jiahao rush to the General Administration of Sports before the 13th, and then we will arrange a few doubles training matches for you."

"Yes!"

Chen Jin naturally had no objection.

(End of this chapter)