The WTT Chongqing Championship will be held from May 30 to June 3. On the afternoon of May 20, according to the @WTT World Table Tennis Federation, Chinese player Ma Long withdrew from the WTT Chongqing Championships, and Lin Gaoyuan will participate in the tournament through the world ranking.
As soon as the news came out, it quickly attracted the attention of netizens and #马龙退赛#冲上微博热搜第二. So far, the official has not explained the reason for Ma Long's withdrawal.
WTT Chongqing Championship 2024 will be held from May 30 to June 3 at Huaxi LIVE Yudong in Banan District, Chongqing, and the winner will receive 1,000 world ranking points. According to previous reports, the top 5 men's singles rankings at the deadline for registration were Wang Chuqin, Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Liang Jingkun and Felix Lebrun.
In addition, the Men's Singles also featured Lim Yunru, Hugo Calderano, Tomokazu Zhangmoto, Jang Woo-jin, Lim Joong-hoon, Lee Sang-so, Tim Bol and Dimitri Ocharov.
On May 14, the Chinese Table Tennis Association announced the list of national table tennis for the Paris Olympics, and the 36-year-old veteran Ma Long, who was not selected for the men's singles before, was successfully selected for the men's team, and he will also start his fourth Olympic journey. It's hard to say goodbye to veterans, and Malone is still pushing his limits. The IOC published an article on its official website saying that Malone will have a chance to achieve good results again, "The legendary star has a chance to continue his Olympic record. ”
"The 36-year-old Ma Long is the most successful player in the history of Olympic table tennis, winning a total of three team and two singles Olympic gold medals. Ma Long, who is currently ranked third in the world men's singles, although he failed to enter the Olympic list of the Chinese men's singles this time, he will still attack the men's table tennis team championship with his teammates. ”
As the captain of the national table tennis team, he still plays the role of a veteran in the team. Why is Malone still holding on? His answer was: "The main reason why I am still standing on the field is because of reluctance and love. When I think I can still fight, I give up (if) I don't fight, and I don't accept it emotionally. ”
Ma Long admits that it is difficult for the Chinese table tennis team to play until they are in their 40s, because this dream team is full of talents, "I just did some things that may be difficult for Chinese athletes." Age may not be the biggest challenge for professional athletes. As long as you have love in your heart, it will always be the year of fighting. ”