In the 2024 Macau World Cup, Lin Gaoyuan, a young force in national table tennis, reversed his decline with his outstanding performance and took the initiative for the upcoming Olympic quota battle. In stark contrast, veteran Liang Jingkun was eliminated early in this tournament, and his prospects were bleak and he was in trouble. The fates of Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun will go down the path of polarization.
Lin Gaoyuan turned things around
In the Macau World Cup, Lin Gaoyuan can be said to have passed all the way and finally won the runner-up. In the group stage, he has already shown strong strength, defeating Dako Joczyk from Slovenia 4-2 and becoming the first player to advance to the quarterfinals of the national table tennis men's singles. Although he fell behind in the game and the fourth game, Lin Gaoyuan was calm and calm, played an offensive momentum at the critical moment, took the initiative to attack, shot decisively and powerfully, scored consecutive points to overtake, and finally won the decisive game with a score of 11-8, defeating the opponent with a total score of 4-2, and smiling at the quarterfinals.
After entering the knockout stage, Lin Gaoyuan's performance became even better. In the quarter-finals, he swept the European champions, with a 4-1 score to show his dominance. Although the opponent is a "table tennis giant" with a height of 1.97 meters, Lin Gaoyuan was not afraid at all, and once led with a huge score difference of 10-4 in the game, although he could only win this game 11-9 in the end, but he has shown his strong psychological quality.
In the semifinals, Lin Gaoyuan encountered a strong opponent in national table tennis, but he withstood huge pressure and finally eliminated his opponent with an astonishing score of 4-2. This game can be described as a pinnacle showdown full of highlights, Lin Gaoyuan did not relent, overcame the psychological barrier, and won the recognition of the audience. With this victory, Lin Gaoyuan successfully reached the semi-finals and took the initiative in the competition for the Olympic quota.
Although Lin Gaoyuan lost 3-4 to Ma Long in the semifinals and missed the final, his outstanding performance in this World Cup has made the coaching staff change their opinion of him. This runner-up result not only regained Lin Gaoyuan's confidence, but also brought him new opportunities and motivation, and he will be one of the most anticipated new stars of national table tennis at the Olympic Games.
Malone was in a good mood
For Ma Long, although he finally won the World Cup in the final, Lin Gaoyuan's outstanding performance in this event also made him happy. As the number one star of national table tennis, Ma Long certainly hopes to see more young forces rise, and Lin Gaoyuan is one of the most shining new stars.
In the semifinals, Ma Long swept Wang Chuqin with a score of 4-0, which was their most recent meeting and the first time Ma Long defeated his teammates. In the game, Ma Long showed a strong desire to attack, and his backhand could often hit a return ball with a tricky angle, beating Wang Chuqin to a loss. Although Wang Chuqin once led 9-10 in the game, Ma Long scored three consecutive points to reverse the situation, and finally won the round 12-10, expanding the score to 2-0.
After reaching the final, Ma Long's form became even better, and he defeated Lin Gaoyuan with a score of 4-1 to defend the World Cup title. This is Ma Long's second World Cup victory after two years after 2022. Although in the final, Lin Gaoyuan once relied on a good backhand straight board to tie the total score at 2-2, Ma Long finally gained the upper hand with experience and steady play and won the championship.
For Ma Long, Lin Gaoyuan's outstanding performance in this event is undoubtedly an exciting piece of good news. As the number one star of national table tennis, of course, he hopes to see more young forces rise, and Lin Gaoyuan is one of the most shining new stars. With a rookie like Lin Gaoyuan joining, the future of the national table tennis men's team is promising.
Liang Jingkun is in trouble
Veteran Liang Jingkun's performance in this World Cup is quite bad. In the group stage, he had already suffered a setback, and drew 2-2 with Croatia's "table tennis giant" Pucar, which was also the first draw score of national table tennis in this event.
Pucar, who is 1.97 meters tall, can be described as a physique giant, although Liang Jingkun led 2-0 in the game, but was quickly equalized by the opponent, and then the two sides went back and forth, although Liang Jingkun once led 10-4 in the game, but in the end he could only win this round 11-9, unable to avoid a draw. Such a score is undoubtedly a huge blow to Liang Jingkun.
After entering the main event, Liang Jingkun's form did not improve, and he was eliminated in the first round and missed the quarterfinals. Lin Gaoyuan was soaring all the way, and the fate of the two parted ways. In the eyes of the coaching staff, Lin Gaoyuan has become the preferred option, while Liang Jingkun is in danger of being marginalized.
For Liang Jingkun, the poor performance in this World Cup is undoubtedly a heavy blow. As a veteran of national table tennis, he was originally a strong contender for the Olympic quota, but now he is in trouble. If he wants to re-enter the main squad of the national team, Liang Jingkun must fully adjust his state and turn the tide in the next game, otherwise he may be completely surpassed by the younger generation.
The internal competition of the national table tennis men's team has intensified
Judging from the performance of Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun in this World Cup, the competition within the national table tennis men's team has become white-hot, and the generation gap between young players and veterans is widening. For the coaching staff, they are more inclined to reuse a rising star like Lin Gaoyuan, while Liang Jingkun is in danger of being marginalized.
Lin Gaoyuan's outstanding performance in this World Cup has allowed him to take the initiative in the battle for a place in the Olympic Games. As a rookie in national table tennis, he will be one of the most valued players by the coaching staff. Liang Jingkun's poor performance has put him on the back foot, and he needs to fully adjust his form in the next game to turn the tide, otherwise he may be completely overtaken by the younger generation.
Judging from the current situation, the fate of Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun has moved towards a path of polarization. Lin Gaoyuan regained the initiative, and he will be the most anticipated new star of national table tennis in the Olympic Games; Liang Jingkun, on the other hand, is in a difficult situation, and he needs to adjust his form in order to regain his entry into the main squad of the national team.
The competition within the national table tennis men's team is heating up, and the generation gap between young players and veterans is widening. This kind of competition will undoubtedly promote the continuous improvement of the strength of national table tennis, but it also means that some veterans may be surpassed by rookies, and the danger of being marginalized is approaching. For Liang Jingkun, he is in a very critical period, and he needs to go all out to avoid being completely replaced by the new generation.
On the field of the 2024 Macau World Cup, Lin Gaoyuan, a young force in national table tennis, reversed his decline with his outstanding performance and took the initiative for the upcoming Olympic quota battle. He made his way through the tournament and eventually won the runner-up and won the favor of the coaching staff. In stark contrast, veteran Liang Jingkun was eliminated early in this tournament, and his prospects were bleak and he was in trouble.
The fates of Lin Gaoyuan and Liang Jingkun have gone on a polarized path. Lin Gaoyuan regained the initiative, and he will be the most anticipated new star of national table tennis in the Olympic Games; Liang Jingkun, on the other hand, is in a predicament, and he needs to adjust his form in order to re-enter the main squad of the national team, otherwise he may be completely surpassed by the younger generation and marginalized.
The competition within the national table tennis men's team is heating up, and the generation gap between young players and veterans is widening. This kind of competition will undoubtedly promote the continuous improvement of the strength of national table tennis, but it also means that some veterans may be surpassed by rookies, and the danger of being marginalized is approaching. For Liang Jingkun, he is in a very critical period, and he needs to go all out to avoid being completely replaced by the new generation.