The national football is shining, and the scenery is unique here

　　Reporter Wang Xiaoxiao

　　In 2020, the large-scale international table tennis tournament was successfully rematched in China 8 months after it was "halted", providing a "restart" model for the event and the entire international sports arena.

Not only does China still stand proudly on top of the world in its competitive performance, it also demonstrates its image and responsibility as a big country in table tennis.

　　Restart the four major events in sequence

　　On November 8, the 2020 ITTF Women's World Cup kicked off in Weihai, Shandong, marking the restart of the ITTF.

At the moment when the first game started, the ITTF CEO Denton and Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, stood up excitedly and gave high fives to celebrate.

　　This is the first international sporting event approved by an international sports organization and participated by foreign players in China in accordance with national policies since the outbreak.

From the inception of the idea to the landing of the event, the relevant teams and units have made great efforts in the past few months.

Various departments have worked closely together to formulate detailed epidemic prevention and control plans, stipulating detailed procedures in terms of remote prevention and control, entry, transfer, isolation and training, competition organization, and departure after the game. The form ensures the safety and smooth progress of the game.

　　After the Women's Table Tennis World Cup, the ITTF Men's World Cup and the finals were successively held in Weihai and Zhengzhou. Players in the "bubble" can compete without multiple isolations.

Among them, the finals openly sold tickets to the audience, and the fans also achieved a "return."

The above three events, collectively referred to as the "Restart" series, brought together athletes, coaches, referees, and staff from 27 countries and regions, and a total of 116 participants entered China.

There were no infections and health and safety issues throughout the series.

　　“We have brought hope to the table tennis world and the entire sports world.” When leaving China, Denton proudly said, “When most of the Olympic events in the world are still trying to return to the international stage, table tennis has already done it. "

　　Not only did major events resume, but in this special year, table tennis also went up against the wind and launched a brand new commercial event.

At the end of November, the first tournament of the World Table Tennis Professional League (WTT) was staged in Macau. The new competition system and venue design are refreshing, and the unprecedented high prize money is also more attractive.

Liu Guoliang, who was invited to be the chairman of the WTT Council in June this year, said that continuing to promote table tennis in a special period is of historic and strategic significance. “The future of world table tennis has come and everyone can look forward to it.”

　　Take the role of world table tennis, thank China

　　Table tennis chose to restart in China, and China did not disappoint the world.

Denton believes that this "restart" series not only enhances the international image of the project, but also allows the world to see China's capabilities.

　　Compared with the epidemic in most countries and regions around the world that has not been effectively controlled and the restart of international competitions is difficult, China is effective in prevention and control of the epidemic. All industries have basically resumed work and production, and sports competition performances have also resumed orderly.

On this basis, Liu Guoliang deemed it inevitable to undertake the "restart" series. "The challenge and pressure of running the game coexist, but someone has to take this step. Table tennis is China’s national game, which is what we should have as a big country in table tennis. The German star Ocharov said after the competition: “China may be the only country in the world capable of doing all of this.”

　　China's hosting of the competition not only fully guarantees the health and safety of the participants, but also provides considerate and warm service to the immigrants.

During the "Restart" series, the most common voice in "Bubble" was "Thank you China".

A few players with relatively low levels of competition came to China for a 14-day quarantine, stayed in China for a month, and only played one or two games-but they were even worthy.

The biggest opponent of Chinese women’s table tennis and the famous Japanese player Mima Ito proposed during the isolation period that he hopes to set up a table in the room to maintain the feel. After intensive training, he hopes to practice with the left-handed player and the chipper. The Chinese Table Tennis Association will give it one by one under the premise of epidemic prevention. Satisfy.

"The world of table tennis is a family. Here, you have all the Chinese team." Liu Guoliang said in a word, telling the pattern of Chinese table tennis.

　　In fact, the Chinese Table Tennis Association has been committed to promoting the global development of the project in recent years. The special contribution made in this special period will surely further enhance the association's international influence and voice.

In the online meeting of the ITTF Annual Congress in August, Liu Guoliang said that the Chinese Table Tennis Association will participate more in international affairs in the future.

As the biggest opponent on the field, Miyazaki Yoshihito, Director of the Intensive Training Department of the Japan Table Tennis Association, said bluntly that the Chinese Table Tennis Association under Liu Guoliang should lead the world table tennis.

　　Sweeping the national table tennis is still the leader

　　The "Restart" series showed the world the brilliant results of China's epidemic prevention and control, and the national table tennis players have also lived up to their expectations. They have proved with excellent performance: China table tennis is still the leader.

　　In the first half of this year, almost all ping-pong players got a long "holiday".

Since May, some teams have resumed training conditionally, but regulations such as the prohibition of doubles practice and the inability to compete have still adversely affected the players' competitive state.

　　In contrast, the Chinese team has never stopped normal training.

After going to Germany to participate in the Open in January, the national table tennis team did not return home due to the epidemic, but moved to Qatar for training, and then arrived in Macau in mid-March, where they launched the "longest in history" closed training camp for three months.

In order to avoid emotional ups and downs caused by the long-term closure and the postponement of the Olympic Games, the team conducts internal competitions of different formats and events every week in the later stages of the training camp.

Liu Guoliang clearly asked everyone to maintain a good competitive and mental state, "Once the epidemic improves, they can fight at any time."

　　In the middle of the year, as the epidemic gradually subsided, the team returned to the mainland and regrouped after a short rest.

In August, Guoping held a Tokyo Olympic simulation tournament in Lingshui, Hainan. The competition included all Olympic events including doubles and teams, and simulated the Olympic Games in all aspects from the aspects of schedule, venue, competition system, penalties, opponents, and security.

During the National Day, the national championship with nearly 300 athletes was successfully held in Weihai.

The two high-level events not only tested the team's training results, but also stimulated the players' fighting vitality.

　　In this state, to participate in the 4 competitions in November, the National Ping Pong table will continue to do its part.

In the Men's and Women's World Cup, two Chinese players will compete in the finals. In the finals, the national table tennis team also won the championship and runners-up, and occupied 3 seats in the semifinals. In the WTT Macau, the Chinese players lost only one semi-final seat.

In the latest world rankings at the beginning of this month, the national table tennis occupies the top four in men's singles, squeezing out the main opponent Zhang Benzhihe from the "TOP 4"; women still have 6 people in the top seven, and Sun Yingsha surpasses Mima Ito Rose to second.

　　In December, when the international competition has come to an end, the national table tennis players will continue to participate in the competition, playing in the Super League from the 16th to the 27th.

In this special year, the national football is shining, and the scenery is unique here.