29-year-old Lin Gaoyuan! 28-year-old Liang Jingkun! They are the biggest gains in Chinese men's table tennis in recent times
News on Sunday, April 21, 2024, Beijing time. In the men's singles final of the Macao Table Tennis World Cup that just ended, Lin Gaoyuan led 3-0 and was reversed by Ma Long 4-3! For Lin Gaoyuan, this is a regret that he is closest to winning the individual World Cup. However, through this competition, Lin Gaoyuan was able to defeat Fan Zhendong and Zhang Benzhihe successively, and he has proven his ability. Moreover, winning the World Cup first and then losing it is not entirely a bad thing, which can stimulate him to a certain extent. If he has a chance to compete in the Paris Olympics. Then, the scene of the Macau World Cup final should inspire him, don't get excited when you're ahead, and don't worry when you're behind. - The Olympics, after all, are more crucial than the World Cup.
So the question is: Will Lin Gaoyuan, or Liang Jingkun, or even Lin Shidong, have a chance to participate in the Paris Olympics?
First of all, let's talk about the Olympic P card - when did the concept of P card begin? It started with the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In the previous Olympic Games, they were all men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, and women's doubles. In 2008, it became a men's singles, women's singles, men's team, and women's team competition. Therefore, there is a group P card option.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the P card players were: Chen Xi and Li Xiaoxia.
In the 2012 London Olympics, the P card players were: Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen.
In the 2016 Rio Olympics, the P card players are: Fan Zhendong and Zhu Yuling.
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the P card players are: Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu.
So, what about Paris 2024 and what will the squad look like?
Among the men's players, the new three musketeers are recognized by everyone: Ma Long, Wang Chuqin, and Fan Zhendong. These three players, born in the 80s, 90s, and 00s, have a reasonable age structure, with old and new, experienced and full of impact. The three of them went into battle, which was reassuring. So, what about the competition for P cards?
Judging from the competition at one stage in 2024, among the men's players, Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan, including Lin Shidong, performed very wrongly. They have proven themselves through their hard work and achievements. Next, it depends on what choice the national table tennis makes.
Let's take a look at Liang Jingkun first. Da Fat's state has been up and down before, and he has had a downturn. But this year's momentum is good.
1. In the Singapore Grand Slam competition in March, Liang Jingkun reached the men's singles final and lost to Wang Chuqin 1-4. (In that competition, Liang Jingkun also defeated Tomokazu Zhang 3-2 in the 1/8 finals).
2. Then, it was the Incheon station in South Korea, and Liang Jingkun began to shine: he defeated Ma Long 4-3 in the semifinals, and defeated the dark horse of that tournament in the final, and the Brazilian Hugo finally won the championship! This performance is worthy of praise.
3. In this Macau World Cup, after Liang Jingkun qualified from the group, he lost to Carlberg a little unexpectedly and carelessly, but it also gave him a very important reminder. On the whole, Big Fat is worth paying attention to and cheering on!
Let's look at Lin Gaoyuan. has been ranked in the top ten in the world for a long time, but for a period of time, he has not won the championship in national table tennis. A lofty mindset needs to be adjusted and adjusted. Entering 2024, we are also happy to see this.
1. In the Singapore Grand Slam competition held in March, Lin Gaoyuan lost to Lee Sang-so in men's singles, which needs to be noted! But in the men's doubles final, Lin Gaoyuan and Ma Long defeated Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin 3-2 and won the gold medal!
2, Incheon station, together with Wang Chuqin, did not participate, repair. Then in this Macau World Cup, Lin Gaoyuan is in good shape, after qualifying for the group stage, he defeated Joczyk, Fan Zhendong, Zhang Benzhihe, and reached the final! The final is 3-0 to 3-4, this score is enough for Lin Gaoyuan to remember for a lifetime, and maybe it can inspire him!
Through these competitions, the three main players of men's table tennis, plus Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun, have risen steadily in the countdown to the Paris Olympics. Next, there are competitions to test them, such as the Saudi Grand Slam in May, and the subsequent Taiyuan and Chongqing stations. I hope that the men's table tennis boys will seize the opportunity, show themselves, and exercise themselves: in the Paris Olympics, the Chinese national table tennis is moving towards her step by step!