On the 16th, the Chinese Table Tennis Association announced the list of participants for the Tokyo Olympics.
Three veterans, Ma Long, Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen, are among them, once again embarking on a journey to the top.
But today, 33-year-old Olympic champion Zhang Jike released a video of playing ball with Grandpa Park. In the video, he was very comfortable and competed with table tennis enthusiasts.
Data map: Zhang Jike in the game.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Zeng Nai
As the fastest Grand Slam record holder in the table tennis world, Zhang Jike has been away from the first-line arena for more than three years, and now he also lives a life completely different from before.
It is said that the master is in the folk, and for table tennis, this is indeed the case.
"Sweeper monks" may be hidden beside the table tennis tables in every park or community.
Last weekend, Zhang Jike found an outdoor park and discussed with the aunt and grandpa playing in it.
Screenshot of video data.
Maybe it was because he was wearing a mask. At first, the uncle did not recognize Zhang Jike.
Hearing Zhang Jike's appointment, the uncle confidently said: Practice with you!
As a result, after the fight, the uncle's return of the ball came out frequently.
After discovering that the opponent was Zhang Jike, the uncle decisively moved to the rescuer—another uncle who could open the bow left and right.
Screenshot of video data.
Hey hey?
Why is the uncle's wife also playing together?
A certain "single dog" editor received double crit...
Screenshot of video data.
Below this video, netizens also teased Zhang Jike: How could the national team have played against the community park team? Grandpa and aunt let you!
The last time Zhang Jike appeared in the international arena as an athlete, it will be traced back to the 2018 season.
Looking at Zhang Jike's video media account now, you can get a general idea of his life after he left the game.
On Mother's Day, Zhang Jike wrote a poem for his mother: Feeling that nurturing is not easy, and the kindness is like a sea in his heart.
Maternal love is boundless like rivers, and relatives and friends are all praises and kindness.
(A closer look, it's still an advanced "hidden head poem")
Writing poems is his way of expressing feelings, and now he has more time to spend time with his relatives.
Like other sports stars, Zhang Jike's brand promotion endorsed for himself, participates in various commercial activities, celebrates festivals, and shares daily life, but most of the content includes table tennis elements.
He faded out of the arena, but never left the table tennis table.
Data map: The Chinese team defeated South Korea 3-0 in the men's team semifinals of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The picture shows Zhang Jike in the game.
On May 15 this year, Zhang Jike's studio released a Weibo to celebrate the tenth anniversary of winning the World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam.
Ten years ago, Zhang Jike defeated Wang Hao 4:2 in the men's singles final of the World Table Tennis Championships in Rotterdam to win the championship, and since then began his career peak.
The long years of playing in the ping-pong world have been brilliant, applauded, and controversial, but no one can deny that his career is legendary enough.
While the extremely impactful style of play brought him countless honors, it also brought injuries all over his body.
Below this Weibo of the studio, the first commentary said: I wish you all the best in your future life, good health, good health, happy heart, and you can have a small worldly happiness.
Look at the relaxed state of Zhang Jike and the uncles and aunts, maybe this is the worldly little happiness.
Data map: Zhang Jike.
Photo by Wang Jian
Just the day before, the Chinese table tennis team announced the big list for participating in the Tokyo Olympics, and Zhang Jike was no longer there.
Although he is no longer in the main lineup of the national team due to injuries, he still cares about the game and his teammates in recent years.
In the 2019 year-end finals, Zhang Jike and Liu Guoliang, Chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, also went to the scene to watch the match.
This time the list of the Tokyo Olympics, the most regrettable thing is that Liu Shiwen missed the women's singles competition.
Her career is only one Olympic singles champion from the Grand Slam. As a result, I am afraid that she will miss the Grand Slam again.
Data map: Liu Shiwen.
Image source: Osports All Sports Photo Agency
Perhaps this is the cruelty of competitive sports.
But whether it is Zhang Jike or Liu Shiwen, or the national table tennis players who have already retired and the players who are about to compete in the Olympics, they are all bright stars in the glory of national table tennis, and they are not dimmed because of regrets.
They are now playing different roles, but they are all the long-lasting flag bearers of the national table tennis.
(Finish)