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

Chapter 287 Who is that fat guy? He doesn't seem to know how to play ball!

11: 2.

The score is 1-0.

Chen Jin scored the first goal.

By the end of the first game, the back of Tomokazu Harimoto's jersey was completely soaked.

His handling of short balls and his attacking style in the first three shots were far inferior to Chen Jin's.

Even his signature backhand close-to-the-table quick rip, regardless of its speed in terms of continuity, connection, or transition, was quickly defeated by Chen Jin.

Grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from his face, Tomokazu Harimoto walked off the court, shaking his head and giving Kunifumi Tase a wry smile: "I really can't beat him."

"This stadium was once your lucky place where you defeated Mizutani Jun and won the championship."

Kunifumi Tase patted his beloved student on the shoulder, "I believe this time, it will bring you good luck as well."

His voice was soft, yet it carried an invisible power of trust and encouragement.

Immediately, Kunifumi Tasei calmly and methodically analyzed the situation and deployed tactics for Tomokazu Harimoto.

At this moment.

A heart-wrenching scream from a woman echoed throughout the vast venue.

"Zhang Benjun, that was just done!"

"We must win! We must win! We must win!"

Drawn by the sound, Zhang Benzhihe involuntarily turned his head to look.

In the audience, a JK girl wearing a bow headband was seen holding up her support sign and cheering enthusiastically.

This greatly encouraged Tomokazu Harimoto.

This person is naturally Toyama Sakura.

Takashi Toyama sat quietly to the side, his face pale and silent, but he was deeply shocked.

Just now, when the score was 8-1.

Chen Jin and Zhang Benzhihe ran all over the table, and whenever they made a sudden appearance, they would launch a long-range attack with their forehand and backhand.

This is a battle of power and speed!
At the same time, it's also a contest of explosive power and endurance!
Every ball's landing point and spin is filled with calculated moves designed to kill the opponent.

In the two men, Takashi Toyama seemed to see a swordsman and a swordsman facing off against each other.

The snow and moon shone brightly, while the wind and waves roared.

The sword's shadow was as nimble as a venomous snake's hiss, while the blade's light was as heavy as a vicious wolf's pounce.

Every move he made exuded a murderous aura.

In the end, Chen Jin used a move called "backhand explosive tear in a straight line".

The ball was so fast that only a blur could be seen.

A flash of white light exploded on the white edge of Tomokazu Harimoto's backhand side.

The power, speed, spin, landing point, and timing were perfectly coordinated.

Seal the throat with one sword!
"it is good--"

Takashi Toyama couldn't help but blurt it out.

But just as it reached my lips, I barely managed to hold back.

After all, he was dragged to watch the match by Sakura Toyama to cheer for Tomokazu Harimoto.

If Sakura Toyama were to discover that she was cheering for Tomokazu Harimoto's opponent, she would surely kill herself on the spot.

However, that shot just now really got him excited.

Takashi Toyama discovered that his body was trembling slightly and uncontrollably.

Not afraid.

Rather, it seems that some kind of fighting instinct sealed within the body is being awakened.

Like a sudden enlightenment, he suddenly understood what Takashi Toyama meant by the "life-or-death duel" before the match.

This street-fight style of battle was a feeling that baseball had never given him before!

"elder sister."

Once Sakura Toyama had calmed down a bit, Takashi Toyama remained silent for a moment before asking, "I think Chen Jin's penhold grip style seems to have more variations and is more refined. Why doesn't Zhang Ben use a penhold grip?"

"Now we are in the era of 40+ plastic balls, and the mainstream playing style in the world of table tennis is the shakehand grip."

Sakura Toyama casually explained, "The penhold grip style requires even more talent."

"Oh."

Takashi Toyama seemed to be deep in thought. "In other words, Chen Jin's ability to become the world's third in just three months must be due to his extraordinary talent."

"Of course... huh?"

Sakura Toyama realized what was happening and looked at Takashi Toyama with some surprise. "Why did you suddenly ask about this?"

In her memory, this was the first time Takashi Toyama had watched a table tennis match live.

Moreover, he has always looked down on table tennis.

Unexpectedly, Takashi Toyama was able to see the characteristics of the penhold grip style.

"No, it's nothing."

Takashi Toyama turned his head away, pouting, and said, "You dragged me here, am I not even allowed to ask a question?"

"Of course."

Sakura Toyama laughed, "When it comes to penhold grips, we're the ancestors!"

Unlike those mindless fans, Sakura Toyama has clearly put in a lot of effort and has done considerable research on table tennis.

Due to differences in blade construction and playing style, penhold grips are further divided into Chinese penhold grips and Japanese penhold grips.

The Japanese straight-up style of play was once very popular in the last century.

A prime example of this is Ryu Seung-min.

The racket is square in shape and made from a single piece of cypress wood. It has excellent elasticity and is extremely powerful, capable of producing strong topspin loops from mid to long distances.

However, short balls near the table and the backhand position are the fatal weaknesses of the Japanese penhold style of play.

The straight-legged ball is also derived from the Japanese straight-legged ball, and was improved by Rong Guotuan, a senior figure in table tennis.

In comparison, the central straight attacking style combines power with greater flexibility in terms of control.

Later, Wang Hao and others developed a backhand strike technique.

Therefore, the Japanese straight-play style completely withdrew from the historical stage of world table tennis.

"Hinao?"

Takashi Toyama's eyes lit up.

"Unfortunately, the Japanese single-sided style of play is already outdated."

Sakura Toyama sighed softly.

What's even more regrettable is that the Japanese straight-line style of play originally originated in Japan.

But the one who truly led Japan to the pinnacle of table tennis was Ryu Seung-min from the neighboring West 8 team.

"What's lagging behind is people, not technology."

Takashi Toyama turned to look at the arena, muttering to himself, "Besides, without the Meiji Restoration, there would be no Japan as we know it today."

Upon hearing this, Sakura Toyama gave the boy a half-smile and gently nudged him: "Hey, something's not right."

"No way!"

Takashi Toyama scoffed again, "The match is about to start, why don't you hurry up and cheer for your Zhang Ben-kun?"

"what?"

Sakura Toyama looked back and, sure enough, saw Chen Jin and Tomokazu Harimoto back on the field.

The second game has already begun.

Encouraged and guided by Kunifumi Tase, Tomokazu Harimoto was not affected by the crushing defeat in the first game. He adjusted his tactics and strengthened his side-attacks.

The forehand attack, the swing of the racket to hit the ball, is like an iaido strike, powerful and heavy.

Every powerful surge carries the momentum of a do-or-die situation.

However, no matter how Zhang Ben attacked, Chen Jin calmly responded.

Sometimes he would use skill to overcome force, with exquisite spins and tricky landing points, as if weaving a large net to bind Zhang Ben's hands and feet.

Sometimes they would fight violence with violence, and in high-speed confrontations, they would suddenly change direction, catching Zhang Ben off guard.

0: 1.

2: 0.

3:0. 0:4.

0: 5.

……

The score quickly widened.

Despite losing points in the opening, Tomokazu Harimoto was not discouraged. As if possessed, he unleashed a madman's fury, tearing back with lightning speed.

Faced with this fierce and relentless attack, Chen Jin held firm at the mid-range and close-range positions, remaining steadfast and unmoved.

Maintaining the status quo.

Sudden.

Zhang Ben flicked his wrist, launching a surprise attack down the straight line.

Chen Jin made a crossover step, diving to save the ball with lightning speed.

But in the end, it was half a step too late.

5: 1.

"Choo-hoo!"

"Zhu--"

Finally breaking the scoring drought, Zhang Ben clenched his fist and roared, like a lion or tiger, boosting morale.

"Wow!"

Seeing Zhang Ben win, Sakura Toyama, who had been tense, jumped up excitedly and screamed, "Zhang Ben-kun, you will win!"

"Pity."

Takashi Toyama let out a long breath, his brows furrowing slightly, a hint of regret flashing across his face.

Suddenly, a slight stinging sensation came from my palm.

He looked down and realized that his fist had been clenched so tightly that his fingernails had carved crescent-shaped marks into his palm.

The rest of the match was almost a foregone conclusion.

Apart from two lucky shots that grazed the net, Zhang Ben failed to score any more points.

It has to be said that this place is indeed a lucky place where Tomokazu Harimoto once won the championship, with his luck level at its peak.

In these two games, there were countless instances of players grazing the net and the edge of the court, trying to provoke players' mentality.

Fortunately, Chen Jin reacted extremely quickly, restarting his attack and making a crucial save, comparable to Wang Hao at his peak.

Second game, 11:3.

The score is 2-0.

competition is over.

But Chen Jin didn't rush to leave the court. Instead, he took his racket and carefully wiped the rubber with his hand.

It's like a white-clad swordsman wiping the blood off his sword after a battle.

He finished his business and left without a word.

Watching Chen Jin's retreating figure, for some reason, Takashi Toyama's heart was deeply shaken.

"he……"

Takashi Toyama whispered, "So handsome."

"Who?"

Sakura Toyama said, "You mean Zhang Ben-kun? Of course Zhang Ben-kun is handsome!"

"Takashi, didn't you used to look down on table tennis the most?"

Sakura Toyama smiled slightly. "But I could tell you were really engrossed in watching it just now."

"I want you to take care of it!"

Takashi Toyama snorted coldly.

Although he wouldn't admit it, images of Chen Jin's fluid and graceful movements on the field kept flashing through his mind.

Backhand smash, side-step attack, short push from inside the table, flying flick... It's both violent and exhilarating, yet timelessly elegant.

It's pleasing to the eye.

However, what impressed Takashi Toyama the most was Chen Jin's eyes.

Calm as ice, intimidating as lightning.

"Is he... really only fifteen years old?"

Takashi Toyama found it hard to believe.

His gaze shifted to the boy who was drinking water from afar.

"Very good, well played."

Wang Hao leaned forward, a doting yet gentle smile on his face, "Zhang Ben was clearly flustered; his movements were all distorted in the last few points of the second game..."

As the star player of the Japanese team, he was playing at home, yet he was utterly humiliated by Chen Jin.

In two games, they only scored a total of five points.

The pressure on Tomokazu Harimoto is immense.

Unlike sports like track and field and swimming, excitement alone is not enough in a table tennis match.

It also requires a calm mind and a stable mentality.

Otherwise, having only enthusiasm will only backfire during the competition.

"The third game is crucial; Zhang Ben will definitely fight even more fiercely."

Wang Hao continued, "If we can keep him under control in this game, Zhang Ben's mentality will collapse even faster in the fourth game."

"So in this round, fight as hard as you can, and don't hold back."

"I also believe that with your strength, no matter how hard Zhang Ben fights, he won't be able to make a move for long."

"But you need to keep an eye on his long balls, and when you attack, make sure your shots are high-quality and have good placement."

Having provided off-court coaching to Chen Jin so many times, Wang Hao already knows Chen Jin's playing style and habits inside and out.

More importantly, he trusted Chen Jin from the bottom of his heart.

Knowing that the more crucial the situation, the less ruthless Chen Jin would be, and that he would be even more ruthless than his opponent.

"Very good, keep it up."

"Pay attention to the connection and continuity."

"come on!"

……

at the same time.

Audience member Takashi frowned and suddenly asked, "Sister, who is that fat guy?"

"Which fat guy?"

Sakura Toyama paused for a moment.

"that."

Takashi Toyama gestured towards Wang Hao with his lip.

Why are you asking about our opponent?

Sakura Toyama was somewhat dissatisfied.

She forcibly brought Takashi Toyama to the competition, originally intending to cheer on Tomokazu Harimoto.

Unexpectedly, almost everything Takashi Toyama asked her about was related to Chen Jin.

Straight grip, chubby grip...

However, on second thought, it did at least pique Takashi's interest.

As for the issue of focusing on something slightly off, we'll correct that gradually later.

Think of this.

Yuanshan Ying patiently explained, "He is Chen Jin's off-court coach."

"Off-site guidance?"

Takashi Toyama pinched his chin with his right hand, "But he doesn't seem like he can play ball."

"???"

Sakura Toyama almost spat it out.

(End of this chapter)