On January 13, 2022, the official media of the International Table Tennis Federation released an interview with Wang Manyu, the 2021 Houston World Table Tennis Championships women's singles champion, in the first episode. In an exclusive interview, Wang Manyu detailed the mental journey before and after winning the women's singles championship at the Houston World Table Tennis Championships. The following is a transcript of the interview:
Q: How did you feel after winning the women's singles title at the World Table Tennis Championships?
Wang Manyu: In fact, compared with my predecessors, I don't seem to have encountered much (setbacks). Maybe the outside world looks at how much difficulty or how much frustration (after) to get this championship. Conversely, if it hadn't been that tough, it might not have been the same result as it is today. I think it's thanks to that (tough) time. Then the difficulties overcome in the past are still more practical than smooth sailing.
Q: How did the coach guide you during training?
Wang Manyu: More than two years, and then many, many times in a row. Then it may be all with themselves a very positive idea of the possibility of breaking through. Every fight was exciting. But every time with such excitement comes a loss. Then this courage and desire to win will slowly be worn down to less intense. I always can't win the championship in the end, and then I can't break through myself.
At that stage, I also asked Xiao Dao: "We practice so desperately every day, from beginning to night, and then really don't need to change?" Or will it continue like this? "It's a bit of a magic in the end. For example, when I don't serve a ball for a long time, Xiao Dao said: "You can't break through yourself." ”
Fight with your own personality, and fight with your own heart. Doubt or entanglement, but it is always done. Whether it was communication or quarreling, the two of us did not change much in the end. But we will still go down time and do more work on this table tennis. Not only on the field training, but also off the field. Then I will slowly help guide Xiao to understand myself. Then go and beat yourself.
Q: How is the final victory celebrated (at the Houston World Table Tennis Championships)?
Wang Manyu: After the fight, (I) ran over and hugged Director Xiao. However, Xiao Dao was packing his things. And then I was still thinking that this shouldn't be something that should be in the heart? As a result, Xiao Dao packed up his things, and I still had to pat Xiao Dao and say, "Xiao Dao hugged!" "It felt like I was in a hurry, and I was positive.
Then Xiao Dao said, "Alas, I have experienced it. I said, "I took it for the first time!" I was going to hug you, and you were packing your things. So hurry up and pack your things. ”
I asked him, "Xiao Dao, are you crying?" (Xiao Dao said) "I really didn't cry." "Why don't you cry?" "There's nothing to cry about." It was not possible for him (Xiao Dao) to cry.