Recently, the news of Samsonov's sudden announcement of his retirement, a legendary table tennis player and three-time world champion, has caused a heated discussion in the table tennis circle, and many old fans are sad about his decision to bid farewell to the field. On the evening of July 9, WTT World Table Tennis Federation and other institutions revealed the reason for Lao Sa's retirement, and sure enough, it was still those 2 words: injury!
It is reported that Samsonov has not trained for several months due to a shoulder injury, and it is impossible to make a difference on the field, so he has completely lost the desire to participate in the Olympic Games and other competitions. However, Samsonov is already 45 years old (the same age as Liu Guoliang), so it is completely understandable that he chose to retire now.
Born in 1976, Samsonov was once a big enemy of the Chinese team, defeating Liu Guoliang, Kong Linghui, Wang Liqin, Ma Lin, Wang Hao, Ma Long, Xu Xin and other generations of main players, and defeated Lin Gaoyuan at the age of 44 last year, which is indeed very powerful. It is a pity that the years are not spared, and even the strongest athletes cannot escape the law of physiological decline, and Samsonov is naturally no exception.
In March this year, Samsonov suddenly fell ill in the qualification tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games, then withdrew from the competition, and then gave up the qualification tournament and the European Championship in Europe, it seems that the injury is indeed more serious, which is also the direct reason for his retirement: the Olympic Games are about to start, and this injury is really unfortunate!
Speaking in the interview, Samsonov said: "In my career, I always want to win games or play my best against all opponents. Unfortunately, I haven't trained for months due to shoulder issues and now it seems unlikely that I'll make my dreams come true. "Helplessness, overflowing with words.
Before that, the athletes who won the 90s singles world championship with Samsonov have retired, and all the post-70s singles world champions have not yet competed in the field, including Liu Guoliang, Kong Linghui, Schrag and other famous players who once won the table tennis world.
Samsonov will continue his physical rehabilitation program accompanied by his family, and may continue to promote the development of table tennis in the position of vice president of the European Table Tennis Association in the future. Here, we also wish him an early recovery of health and a new journey in life: there will be a period later, old friend!