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

Chapter 64 [064] Lima Station Battle Lineup
2024年8月17日，18时30分。

The top three men's and women's teams in the national table tennis U16 trials have been announced.

Men’s Team:

Champion Chen Jin.

The runner-up is Xie Mingyang.

Third place winner: Zhang Jiahao.

Women’s Team:

Champion Ye Sijia.

Runner-up: Lin Xinyu.

Third place winner: Li Linghan.

In front of the camera of Channel C, Liu Guoliang, head of the Table Tennis Association, personally presented the awards and encouraged everyone.

"This selection is a bold attempt by the national table tennis team. It is also an opportunity and challenge for you. I hope you can cherish it and take it seriously. From today, from this moment on, shoulder the future of the national table tennis team."

"The future of national table tennis belongs to you, and the future glory of national table tennis also requires you to fight, strive and defend."

As expected of the head of the national table tennis team, his speech was full of intonation, sonorous and powerful, very infectious, and made people's blood boil.

The voice just fell.

In front of Li Suo, Wang Hao and others, there was a burst of warm applause at the scene.

When the camera of Channel C swept across the crowd outside the venue, everyone stood up straight and were in high spirits. The applause became louder and warmer, and lasted for a long time.

It seemed as if everyone was deeply moved and tears filled their eyes by Liu Guoliang's speech.

When the applause gradually died down and the camera returned to him, Liu Guoliang's expression relaxed and he showed his signature smile.

"In addition, the coaching staff who watched the game discussed and reached a unanimous decision."

Liu Guoliang paused and looked around. "Due to Ding Xiaowei's special long-rubber chopping style and his advancement to the semifinals, we have specially recruited Ding Xiaowei to go to Zhengding to participate in the second team training camp."

This statement came out.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Ding Xiaowei.

There was no prior warning, and Ding Xiaowei's face was stunned. He was unable to react for a moment and stood there.

According to the rules of the selection competition.

Originally only the top three were eligible to join the national table tennis team.

Ding Xiaowei only got fourth place and thought he had been eliminated. He had already made plans to "fight again next year."

But I didn't expect that I would be specially recruited because of my special fighting style.

"W-what's going on?"

Ding Xiaowei's mind went blank and his whole body was buzzing.

On the contrary, Teacher Liu went from being stunned at first to being extremely surprised, and he jumped up with excitement.

He hugged Ding Xiaowei tightly.

"Xiaowei, did you hear that?"

Coach Liu shouted excitedly, "You have been specially recruited into the national second team!"

He held Ding Xiaowei's cheek and kissed him fiercely.

"I, I made the national second team?"

At this time, Ding Xiaowei finally reacted and was surprised and happy.

Happiness came so suddenly that two lines of tears burst out uncontrollably.

Ouyang Liangqin and others nearby looked at Ding Xiaowei with envy in their eyes.

Not long ago, they made a solemn pledge together and agreed to compete against the national table tennis team again next year.

Who could have thought that in just half an hour, Ding Xiaowei, this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, would become a traitor.

"I was among the top 64 and I was giving the top 4 some psychological support, but they made the national team."

Ouyang Liangqin's mentality almost collapsed, "After all this fuss, it turns out that the clown is actually me."

In fact, it was Wang Hao's idea to recruit Ding Xiaowei into the second team.

The women's team has suffered from the use of long rubber before. Although the men's team has not encountered it yet, it is not a bad thing to prepare for a rainy day.

Moreover, according to Wang Hao's observation, Ding Xiaowei does have a talent for slicing the ball with long rubber.

He was specially recruited into the second team, and he definitely has the ability and qualifications to do so.

Taking a deep breath and calming down his agitated emotions a little, Ding Xiaowei turned his head involuntarily and looked at Chen Jin.

As soon as their eyes met.

Chen Jin smiled at him and secretly gave him a thumbs up.

"Next, please let our head coach Li Suo say a few words."

Liu Guoliang finally gave up the C position.

"First of all, congratulations to our six young players. I hope they will continue to work hard and shoulder the future and hope of the national table tennis team."

Li Suo said, "Secondly, the decision to go to Lima Station this time was made hastily and the time is tight, so you may have to bear the consequences."

"I hereby announce that the National Table Tennis U16 Trial has come to a successful conclusion and the 2024 WTT Regular Challenge Lima Station has officially begun."

"The second team coach Li Qian is the team leader and head coach of the men's team in Lima, Deng Yang is the nutritionist and coach of the women's team, and Wu Xi is the physical trainer."

"Leave on the 20th and conquer Lima."

"I wish you a successful start and a triumphant return."

Although this coaching lineup is a bit shabby, it should at least be better than some makeshift teams. Chen Jin and others looked at each other and couldn't help muttering in their hearts.

But then I thought again, being able to participate in international competitions is already great, so why would I need a bicycle?

After taking a group photo, everyone dispersed.

Liu Guoliang and Li Suo were the first to leave the training venue.

Wang Hao, Ma Lin, Wang Liqin and others encouraged Chen Jin and the other six and then left.

The rest of the people had already gone to the cafeteria to eat.

Li Qian, the team leader, left Chen Jin and others behind.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Li Qian, the humble Qian, and I'm your team leader in Lima this time."

Li Qian was kind and smiling, "From now on, we are on the same side... Oh no, we are comrades in the same trench. I hope we can trust each other and work together sincerely to win the championship in Lima..."

The words were not finished.

Zhang Jiahao couldn't help but interrupt, "Coach Li, if we win the championship, will there be any bonus?"

"Of course."

Li Qian said, "The singles championship is worth five thousand US dollars. Let's be frank. We are going for it this time."

"Five thousand dollars?"

Zhang Jiahao's eyes widened. "Brother Jin, this is much more than the prize money for the Kaiqiu.com points tournament we played before."

Chen Jin: "..."

Look at how useless you are!

This is WTT, how can it be compared with the kick-off net?
Moreover, as one of the three small balls, the prize money for table tennis is so low compared to tennis and badminton, it's like giving money to a beggar.

Xie Mingyang glanced at Zhang Jiahao with disdain and snorted, "Poor bastard."

"We'll discuss the details of Lima Station later."

Li Qian looked at the time. "It's almost seven o'clock now. You still have an hour and a half to eat, rest, and pack your luggage."

"Pack your luggage?"

Zhang Jiahao was stunned. "What? Are you asking us to leave so soon?"

"Pack your luggage, bring it here, and reassign the dormitory."

Li Qian said, "Gather on time at 8:30 and retreat."

As soon as he finished speaking, he was the first to run away like the wind.

He looked very hungry and was in a hurry to go to the cafeteria to eat.

Walk out of the training hall.

The three female team members walked towards the cafeteria arm in arm, talking and laughing.

Only Xie Mingyang didn't even look at Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao and left on his own.

"Brother Jin, look at how your defeated opponent dares to act so arrogant in front of you."

Zhang Jiahao looked unhappy.

"Is it possible that he is just being arrogant in front of you?"

Chen Jin said calmly, "I was just dragged down by you and suffered as a result."

"Cough cough."

Zhang Jiahao coughed twice and changed the subject, "Brother Jin, do you want to eat fish? Boiled fish or pickled fish? I wonder if the cafeteria doesn't have it yet?"

Come to the cafeteria.

Coach Zhang, Ouyang Liangqin and others had already occupied the tables, leaving empty seats for Chen Jin and Zhang Jiahao.

Ding Xiaowei was there too.

In front of each person, the plate had already been completely eaten.

There was only a full bowl of seaweed egg drop soup left.

"Haven't you all finished eating? Why haven't you left yet?"

Chen Jin asked curiously.

Swish!
Everyone suddenly picked up their soup bowls and stood up in unison.

Only Coach Zhang sat there without moving. He leaned back as far as he could, feeling a little awkward, and his toes were about to dig a hole in the three-bedroom apartment.

In public, he, an adult in his thirties or forties, was not as free and unrestrained as these teenagers.

"Master Chen Jin, Zhang, Zhang...Brother Zhang."

Ouyang Liangqin said, "We will be going back tomorrow, so I can only use this bowl of soup to wish you two a successful battle in Lima and a triumphant return."

"Done."

"Dry."

Gulp, gulp, everyone drank the whole bowl of egg drop soup.

Then, the sounds of burping began one after another.

"Thanks."

Chen Jin was not hesitant either. He picked up the bowl of soup and drank it in one gulp.

"Hey, wait, wait, I don't have any soup..."

Glancing at the bright red soup of the spicy hotpot on the plate, Zhang Jiahao made up his mind, "The atmosphere has been set off here... Ma Dan, let's go for it."

(End of this chapter)