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

Chapter 478 Celebration Banquet

Waldorf Astoria Lucerne Hotel.

The rooftop banquet hall.

Bright lights.

Through the enormous glass canopy, one can see the Doha night sky dotted with stars, highlighting the brilliance of this desert city.

Inside the banquet hall, glasses clinked and toasts were exchanged.

The long dining table was laden with a variety of Chinese and Western delicacies.

The LED screen prominently displays the message, "Warmest congratulations to the Chinese National Table Tennis Team for sweeping all the gold medals at the Doha World Table Tennis Championships!"

Leaving aside the women's team, the men's team, which is going through a painful transition period in its development, made Wang Liqin and the coaching staff secretly sweat with anxiety at this Doha World Table Tennis Championships.

It's worth noting that before this, Long and Pang had almost monopolized the World Table Tennis Championships for nearly a decade.

Now, Fatty Long has retired from public life.

The foreign players are sharpening their knives, ready to pounce.

The impact on the Chinese men's table tennis team should not be underestimated.

If it weren't for Chen Jin, the World Cup title would have been almost lost, which is a good example.

Based on this, the coaching team approached the Doha World Table Tennis Championships with extreme caution and trepidation.

They fear a repeat of the World Cup story.

Moreover, the Doha World Table Tennis Championships marked Wang Liqin's first time leading a team in a competition.

If he suffers a setback, it will inevitably affect his reputation and leadership.

Fortunately, they ultimately delivered a satisfactory result.

Accompanied by Qin Zhijian, Wang Hao, and others, Wang Liqin and Liu Guoliang, holding wine glasses, walked through the banquet hall, talking and toasting with the athletes, coaches, and everyone present.

Chen Jin, Xie Mingyang, Zhang Jiahao, and Lin Shidong gathered together and chatted happily.

"I'm coming."

Zhang Jiahao glanced around excitedly, saying, "Chairman Wang is toasting, it's almost our turn."

talking.

He tilted his head back and drank the juice in the glass in one gulp.

Then he picked up a large bottle and filled the cup.

"Brother Jin, do you have any more?"

Zhang Jiahao transformed into a banquet attendant, saying, "Come on, let me fill your cup."

"When Chairman Wang comes over to offer a toast later, don't let the glass be empty."

With a hot dog dangling from his mouth, he spoke as he leaned closer to Chen Jin and Lin Shidong, filling their cups with juice.

Finally, it was Xie Mingyang's turn.

"Hey Xie, you pour it yourself."

Zhang Jiahao shoved the juice bottle into Xie Mingyang's hand.

Xie Mingyang wasn't annoyed. He took the bottle and poured a little more water into it.

"Chen Jin".

Xie Mingyang raised his glass with elegant gestures, "Cheers!"

Seeing this, Zhang Jiahao curled his lip and said, "It's just a glass of juice, but you've made it sound like an 1982 Lafite."

at this time.

Wang Liqin, Liu Guoliang, Wang Hao, and several others, holding wine glasses and smiling, walked towards them.

"Why drink orange juice at such a grand celebration banquet?"

Wang Hao laughed and said, "Wine is also juice, so you can drink it directly from the case."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

Wang Liqin walked up to Chen Jin, smiled, and raised his glass: "Chen Jin, congratulations on becoming a double world table tennis champion."

"Thank you, Chairman Wang."

Chen Jin responded with neither servility nor arrogance.

"With great power comes great responsibility."

Liu Guoliang looked at Chen Jin and said, "From now on, the men's table tennis team will have to rely on you to carry the torch."

Although they swept all five gold medals at the Paris Olympics, the problems with their talent development system were glaringly exposed.

As the chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Liu Guoliang cannot escape blame.

Fortunately, it was better late than never.

In addition, they were incredibly lucky.

A U16 selection competition unexpectedly unearthed three hidden gems.

This finally gave Liu Guoliang some confidence.

Although he has stepped down as president of the Table Tennis Association, his influence remains after more than 20 years of dedicated work in table tennis.

"Chairman Liu, rest assured."

Chen Jin said, "I will do my best."

Wang Liqin reached out and patted Chen Jin on the shoulder, then turned to look at Zhang Jiahao.

Feeling Wang Liqin's gaze, Zhang Jiahao straightened up instantly, his whole body tensing.

"Zhang Jiahao".

Wang Liqin slowly spoke, "I misjudged you."

"what?"

Zhang Jiahao was preparing to accept Wang Liqin's praise.

After all, this was his first time participating in the Doha World Table Tennis Championships, and he and Chen Jin lifted the Iran Cup together.

They became the youngest men's doubles champions in the history of the World Table Tennis Championships.

Such achievements deserve recognition.

Unexpectedly, Wang Liqin said something like that.

Zhang Jiahao was so frightened that he shrank back and almost lost his mind.

Wang Liqin continued, "To be honest, before the World Table Tennis Championships, even before you and Chen Jin won the championship, I didn't think highly of you. I thought you would hold Chen Jin back."

"However, you are very promising."

Hear the words.

Zhang Jiahao immediately breathed a sigh of relief: "Chairman Wang, you almost scared me to death."

"If you hadn't suddenly made that turn, I was planning to go to the bathroom to change my pants."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter again.

"Keep it up, I have high hopes for you and Chen Jin to make it to the Loong Lions."

Wang Liqin continued.

Three years later at the Los Angeles Olympics, the table tennis event underwent further changes.

Doubles was separated from the team event and awarded a separate gold medal.

The pressure is even greater for the Chinese national table tennis team.

"I have high hopes for you too."

Liu Guoliang said.

"Of course, whether you can participate in the men's doubles in the Los Angeles Olympics depends on your future performance."

Wang Liqin looked at Zhang Jiahao and said, "However, you can't just focus on doubles. It's best to excel in both singles and doubles. Don't follow in Xu Xin's footsteps."

"Please rest assured, Chairman Wang."

Zhang Jiahao snapped to attention, his face serious. "As long as the organization gives me a chance, I will definitely live up to their expectations!"

"it is good."

Wang Liqin smiled and said, "There will be opportunities."

He immediately clinked glasses with Zhang Jiahao and took a small sip. Then he turned to Lin Shidong.

Lin Shidong immediately tensed up.

His results at this World Table Tennis Championships were not ideal.

In the men's singles quarterfinals, he lost to Liang Jingkun.

In the men's doubles quarterfinals, they lost to Togami Hayabusa/Shinozuka Hiroto.

He felt he had let down the coaching staff's trust with such results.

Especially men's doubles.

Originally, the coaching staff had pinned their hopes for winning the men's doubles title on him and Lin Gaoyuan.

Unexpectedly, the two were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

If it weren't for Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao, he would have been the culprit for losing the gold medal in men's doubles.

"small stone."

Wang Liqin seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled slightly, "Don't underestimate the quarterfinals, this is the World Table Tennis Championships."

As the "King of World Table Tennis Championships" with three World Table Tennis Championships men's singles titles, how could Wang Liqin not know the cruelty and pressure of the World Table Tennis Championships?
"I watched your match, and your technique and skill are absolutely fine."

Wang Liqin continued, "The problem lies in your mentality, your reading of the game, and your tactical adjustments."

"Moreover, this is your first time participating in the World Table Tennis Championships, and reaching the quarterfinals is already quite good."

"The most important thing is to learn from the experience gained in the competition and make yourself stronger."

The words of encouragement warmed Lin Shidong's heart.

"Yes!"

Seeing Wang Liqin raise his glass, Lin Shidong quickly bent down and clinked glasses with Wang Liqin.

Finally, Wang Liqin turned his attention to Xie Mingyang.

"Chairman Wang."

Xie Mingyang took the initiative to speak.

"Your battle with Hugo showcased your spirit and energy."

Wang Liqin earnestly said, "You must remember, the top 32 is definitely not your limit."

"clear."

Xie Mingyang nodded.

Followed by.

After chatting with Chen Jin and the others for a few more minutes, Wang Liqin, Liu Guoliang, Wang Hao, and the others picked up their wine glasses, turned around, and left to walk towards the others.

They had barely left when another person came over with a wine glass in hand.

Liang Jingkun, Lin Gaoyuan, Huang Youzheng, Xiang Peng, Wang Manyu, Ye Sijia, Lin Xinyu, Li Linghan, physical trainer, team doctor... almost everyone arrived one after another.

Chen Jin was a little overwhelmed, and the glass of orange juice he was holding was being clinked together repeatedly.

He maintained a sincere smile throughout and responded to each question.

soon.

Wang Liqin toasted everyone in the room, then stood on the makeshift stage, microphone in hand, his gaze sweeping over each person present.

The huge banquet hall instantly calmed down.

They all looked at Wang Liqin without prior arrangement.

"Dear colleagues and teammates."

Wang Liqin spoke each word with emphasis and power: "At this Doha World Table Tennis Championships, we swept all the gold medals. This achievement is inseparable from everyone present."

"The first thing I want to say here is, thank you."

Thank you all!

"Thank you to every athlete who fought hard on the field. It is you who defended the glory of our national sport with your sweat and even your injuries!"

"Whether you won the championship or unfortunately didn't reach the top, every single one of you is amazing!"

Your contributions will be remembered!

The voice just fell.

There was thunderous applause.

"We also want to thank our coaching team, logistics support team, and scientific research and medical team who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes!"

After a pause, Wang Liqin continued, "It is you who have built our strongest support!"

"Today's glorious achievement of sweeping all the gold medals belongs to every one of us in the Chinese national table tennis team!"

"Thank you!"

"thank you all!"

After speaking, he bowed deeply to the audience.

His words came from the bottom of his heart and were very moving.

The applause was thunderous and prolonged.

In the crowd, Liu Guoliang held a wine glass, looking at Wang Liqin on the stage, his heart filled with emotion: "These used to be my lyrics..."

The celebration banquet lasted for more than two hours amidst a jubilant atmosphere.

It took nearly twelve years for it to gradually fade away.

The group dispersed and returned to their rooms in twos and threes.

After waving goodbye to Zhang Jiahao, Xie Mingyang, and others, Chen Jin returned to his hotel room.

"Click——"

The door closed gently.

In the quiet room, Chen Jin did not turn on the main light.

Only a warm yellow wall lamp by the bedside cast a soft glow.

Everything went quiet.

On the table were the St. Bride's Cup and the Iran Cup, as well as two gold medals for men's singles and men's doubles.

Chen Jin rubbed it a little.

He then got up, took off his coat, and walked to the window.

Outside the window, neon lights flickered.

A strange sense of detachment suddenly welled up in Chen Jin's heart.

The thunderous cheers from the stadium during the day, and the clinking of glasses in the banquet hall just now, have all receded like the tide, leaving only an almost illusory calm.

It all felt like a dream.

Chen Jin couldn't help but reach out and gently touch the windowpane in front of him, as if to confirm the reality of it all.

A slight chill ran through my fingertips.

This immediately sobered Chen Jin up considerably.

From his debut last year to now holding both the World Cup and World Championship titles, his journey in less than a year has been incredibly rapid, as if he had pressed the accelerator button.

"Whoo~"

Chen Jin let out a long breath.

He turned around and sat down on the edge of the bed.

After a moment of silence, he took out his phone.

The moment the network connection is established.

"Uuuuuuu..."

My phone kept vibrating.

On the screen, the red number in the upper right corner of the WeChat icon was jumping wildly.

The final score was "99+".

Unread messages flooded the notification bar like a tidal wave.

(End of this chapter)