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

Chapter 266 Hou Yi Plan
11 month 20 day.

WTT Fukuoka Finals, first day of competition.

Many players of the Chinese table tennis team suffered an upset.

Especially doubles.

The world's top-ranked men's doubles pair of Xiang Peng and Yuan Licen were eliminated in the first round, losing to an unknown men's doubles pair.

The "Double Lin combination" of Lin Shidong and Lin Gaoyuan also lost to their opponents.

In the women's doubles, Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi also stopped in the first round.

11pm.

Liu Guoliang, Qin Zhijian, Li Suo, Wang Hao, Ma Lin, Xiao Zhan and other coaches gathered in the hotel room and held an internal meeting for this purpose.

"Xiang Peng and Yuan Licen are in unstable form, Lin Shidong and Lin Gaoyuan have problems cooperating, and Sun Yingsha and Wang Yidi are not resolute in their play..."

Liu Guoliang looked around with a dark face and said sternly, "What? In a table tennis match, only singles is important, and we can give up doubles, right?"

"The reason for the loss in this doubles match is that the coaching staff and players did not take it seriously and did not thoroughly research their opponents."

"Everyone, the doubles championship is also a championship, and it is also an honor. It is not dispensable."

"It's okay to lose once or twice now, but what if it's at the World Table Tennis Championships or the Olympics?"

"The coaching staff is not attentive and the players are not motivated. This is all due to problems in their thinking."

In the huge room, only Liu Guoliang's stern voice kept echoing.

The rest of the people were all silent.

Compared with singles, doubles is indeed far inferior in terms of prize money and honor.

What's more, in addition to mixed doubles, men's doubles and women's doubles are included in team competitions in the Olympic Games.

Therefore, the coaching staff and players do not take ordinary games seriously.

Doubles matches are almost always used for training and accumulating experience.

After all, there are many new players in the national table tennis team and competition opportunities are limited.

For young players, being able to participate in doubles matches is a luxury.

But, there is no doubt that the ultimate goal of all doubles players is to play singles.

What "world champion", "Olympic champion", "Grand Slam" and "Super Grand Slam"? In the eyes of outsiders, they all refer to singles.

Doubles honors are optional.

Faced with the current poor performance of the Chinese national table tennis doubles team, Liu Guoliang suddenly remembered Chen Qi and the Longmang combination.

There was a pause.

Liu Guoliang's words and expression softened a little: "According to our coaching team's previous plan, during the Los Angeles Olympic cycle, we want Wang Chuqin to make a breakthrough in singles, so we have to put the doubles aside for a while."

“At the same time, it is also an opportunity for young players to train.”

"But now? Not a single one of them is standing up."

Having said that, he suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Wang Hao who was diagonally opposite him.

"How about the doubles team of Chen Jin and that guy... Zhang Jiahao?"

Liu Guoliang asked.

At that time, he was not present and did not witness the cooperation between Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao.

Although it was learned later that the coaching staff finally selected Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao as the men's doubles combination for the World Youth Championship.

As for the level of their doubles cooperation, Liu Guoliang had not asked about it before.

"Very strong."

Wang Hao's answer was concise and to the point.

"How strong is very strong?"

Liu Guoliang said.

"They beat the combination of Xiang Peng and Yuan Licen."

Wang Hao said.

"Oh?"

Liu Guoliang was a little surprised. He didn't expect that the usually gentle Wang Hao would use the word "beaten" to describe the doubles level of Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao.

"Are the two of them really that strong?"

Liu Guoliang didn't quite believe it. "Really."

Li Suo continued, "It can be said that the doubles strength of the combination of Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao may be similar to Chen Jin's singles strength."

With this comparison, the sense of the picture comes immediately.

A look of surprise appeared on Liu Guoliang's face.

Having worked together for many years, he certainly knew the personalities of Li Suo and Wang Hao.

Since both of them are so optimistic, I believe that Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao must have something special as a men's doubles partner.

It’s a pity that he never saw it with his own eyes.

"so……"

Liu Guoliang thought for a moment and said, "Let's see how the doubles performance at the World Youth Championships goes first."

"If possible, starting next year, we will allocate more resources to train Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao in doubles."

Hear the words.

Wang Hao frowned secretly in his heart.

With the amazing strength that Chen Jin is currently showing, it should not be a problem for him to impact the Macau World Cup and Doha World Table Tennis Championships next year.

But once you participate in doubles, it will inevitably distract and affect your energy in singles.

Liu Guoliang's so-called "tilted resources" seems to be biased towards Chen Jin, but in fact it is intentional... It cannot be said to be suppression, it can only be said to be a test.

In addition, Liu Guoliang just mentioned the coaching staff's previous plan...

Wang Hao's eyes darkened slightly.

"Besides this, there is one more thing."

As he spoke, Liu Guoliang turned his gaze to Qin Zhijian who was sitting next to him.

Qin Zhijian nodded and said, "I received news that the Neon Team is planning to launch a 'Great God Plan' recently."

This statement came out.

Everyone present was stunned: "The Great God Project? What the hell is this?"

“This so-called Great God Project is actually AI-assisted training.”

Qin Zhijian explained, "Perhaps everyone knows that the recent AI topic has become popular around the world, especially ChatGPT."

"Therefore, the Neon team also developed an AI system called 'Daimikami'. By importing a certain athlete's game video, the AI ​​automatically analyzes the athlete's various technical data. It can even let the data of two athletes simulate a battle, so as to find a way to defeat the opponent."

Hear this.

Wang Hao and the others were all shocked: "Analyzing data? Simulating battles? Is AI really that powerful now? It can actually compete with us coaches for our jobs?"

"Everyone, rest assured, at this stage, AI is not that powerful yet and cannot replace us for the time being."

Liu Guoliang said, "However, new things must be taken seriously."

"It is said that the reason why Zhang Benzhihe was able to defeat Liang Jingkun was also based on the tactics provided by AI."

Qin Zhijian added, "Of course, there are many factors that affect the outcome of the game, and it cannot be simply attributed to AI."

"So, my suggestion is to observe first. If the Neon team proves that the A auxiliary training plan is feasible, we can also do one."

"Isn't the Neon Team called the 'Omi-shin Project'? Let's call it the 'Hou Yi Project'."

Houyi Project?

At first glance, it seems to have nothing to do with the "Great God Plan".

But if you think about it carefully, it seems very appropriate.

Everyone smiled knowingly.

"Coach Qin is still mature and steady."

Liu Guoliang smiled and said, "My suggestion is the same. Let's see first and then decide."

"I just don't believe that the wisdom of our national table tennis team, with so many world champions, can't beat a mere AI."

After all, it's humans who are competing, not AI.

Even if AI has arranged the tactics, humans will get nervous and make mistakes during the game.

The charm of competitive sports lies in the fact that the outcome is unpredictable.

(End of this chapter)