Binary Star in Table Tennis
Actually met up with some members of the YEP group some time ago. One of them had been playing table tennis from primary school to junior college, and still keep a lookout for table tennis related news. I was delighted to find someone whom I can talk table tennis to, but I was filled with disbelief when he said that it's time for Ma Long and Zhang Jike to go, and that Jike is not a serious/diligent player.
Albeit a little late, many would agree that Ma Long is at his peak in recent years. My friend probably judged Ma Long from his recent performance in the China Open, losing the finals to the second seed, 19 year-old Fan Zhendong by 4-0. It was quite an appalling loss, but what he probably did not realize, was that Ma Long had been attending various events and variety shows ever since he returned from Rio, thus lacking systematic training. The match with Zhendong was also his third match of the day, and he was probably drained. These may seem as excuses, but would you deny that they do not contribute to his loss at all? When interviewed, Ma Long did not cite any of these for his loss. Instead, he merely attributed it to his poor handling of the ball/Zhendong's good performance. Ma Long's humility is one of the biggest reasons why he deserves respect as a sportsman. I believe Ma Long can sill hold on for a few years. Can't he be playing out of passion and to stretch his potential instead of being a trophy winning machine without room for losses? He's still the world's number one and recently won Men's Singles in Rio for God's sake. When the time comes when the younger players like Zhendong are thrashing him flat, ok then we embrace reality. But asking Ma Long to leave now? That's ludicrous.
It is true that Jike no longer performs as well as before, say back in 2012. His performance fluctuates and many believe that he will not make it far in Rio. Look what he had done though: a Silver in singles, Gold in Team. For the team semi-finals and grand finals, he won the matches he competed in. He was determined to make his mark and to prove those who did not think highly of him wrong. He succeeded. Actually no, because some people still look down on him for some weird reasons. But if you watch the interview with his head coach, he actually said " 我有张继科，我不害怕" (With Zhang Jike around, I'm not afraid). Who knows Jike better: his head coach, or us? Do know that in a competition, apart from the technical skills, a competitor must also be psychologically strong. To recover from the loss in singles to go all out and compete in the team event within such a short span of time, hasn't Jike done exceptionally well? Plagued by his waist injury and falling behind initially, but eventually turned the tables to take down the matches, hasn't Jike done superbly well? Ma Long has always regarded Jike as his greatest opponent. Surely there is something in Jike that Ma Long sees? Again, who knows Jike better: his teammate of over a decade, or us?
The purpose of this post isn't to put my friend down. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but wouldn't it be good if people can actually communicate and discuss, hence gaining broader perspectives and shaping our opinions for the better? I did not get the chance to say the above to him. I reckoned I would be regarded as imposing my opinions on him and things would turn ugly. Sometimes I think I know more than what people think I know.
Supporters of either player should not censure the other. Sayings like Jike lost to Ma Long on purpose, or it would be pure luck if Jike had won, are purely disrespectful and highly biased. Both have made marked improvements over the years. In 2013, Ma Long once made a statement saying that it was ok losing to Jike in the World Championships because the trophy did not belong to him in the first place. But he is much more confident now. In 2014, Jike kicked the advertising hoarding as a celebratory gesture after winning the World Cup. But he is more composed and rational now. There are bound to have winners and losers in competitive sports, and I'm just glad to be able to witness such an amazing era of the both of them.
Albeit a little late, many would agree that Ma Long is at his peak in recent years. My friend probably judged Ma Long from his recent performance in the China Open, losing the finals to the second seed, 19 year-old Fan Zhendong by 4-0. It was quite an appalling loss, but what he probably did not realize, was that Ma Long had been attending various events and variety shows ever since he returned from Rio, thus lacking systematic training. The match with Zhendong was also his third match of the day, and he was probably drained. These may seem as excuses, but would you deny that they do not contribute to his loss at all? When interviewed, Ma Long did not cite any of these for his loss. Instead, he merely attributed it to his poor handling of the ball/Zhendong's good performance. Ma Long's humility is one of the biggest reasons why he deserves respect as a sportsman. I believe Ma Long can sill hold on for a few years. Can't he be playing out of passion and to stretch his potential instead of being a trophy winning machine without room for losses? He's still the world's number one and recently won Men's Singles in Rio for God's sake. When the time comes when the younger players like Zhendong are thrashing him flat, ok then we embrace reality. But asking Ma Long to leave now? That's ludicrous.
It is true that Jike no longer performs as well as before, say back in 2012. His performance fluctuates and many believe that he will not make it far in Rio. Look what he had done though: a Silver in singles, Gold in Team. For the team semi-finals and grand finals, he won the matches he competed in. He was determined to make his mark and to prove those who did not think highly of him wrong. He succeeded. Actually no, because some people still look down on him for some weird reasons. But if you watch the interview with his head coach, he actually said " 我有张继科，我不害怕" (With Zhang Jike around, I'm not afraid). Who knows Jike better: his head coach, or us? Do know that in a competition, apart from the technical skills, a competitor must also be psychologically strong. To recover from the loss in singles to go all out and compete in the team event within such a short span of time, hasn't Jike done exceptionally well? Plagued by his waist injury and falling behind initially, but eventually turned the tables to take down the matches, hasn't Jike done superbly well? Ma Long has always regarded Jike as his greatest opponent. Surely there is something in Jike that Ma Long sees? Again, who knows Jike better: his teammate of over a decade, or us?
The purpose of this post isn't to put my friend down. I know everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but wouldn't it be good if people can actually communicate and discuss, hence gaining broader perspectives and shaping our opinions for the better? I did not get the chance to say the above to him. I reckoned I would be regarded as imposing my opinions on him and things would turn ugly. Sometimes I think I know more than what people think I know.
Supporters of either player should not censure the other. Sayings like Jike lost to Ma Long on purpose, or it would be pure luck if Jike had won, are purely disrespectful and highly biased. Both have made marked improvements over the years. In 2013, Ma Long once made a statement saying that it was ok losing to Jike in the World Championships because the trophy did not belong to him in the first place. But he is much more confident now. In 2014, Jike kicked the advertising hoarding as a celebratory gesture after winning the World Cup. But he is more composed and rational now. There are bound to have winners and losers in competitive sports, and I'm just glad to be able to witness such an amazing era of the both of them.
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