On October 10, during a recent interview, Chinese table tennis player Sun Yingsha announced her withdrawal from the individual events at the Astana Asian Championships via social media. Just a day prior, the Chinese women’s team faced a setback in the final, losing 1-3 to Japan, with Sun herself narrowly falling to Mizuki Matsumoto with a score of 2-3.
In her statement, Sun expressed that following the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, her schedule has been packed with promotional events and intense competitions, leaving her little time for systematic recovery. After the match on the 9th, she experienced significant muscular fatigue in her arm. Consulting with her coaching team for her well-being, she decided to withdraw from the competition. This loss for the national women’s team at the beginning of a new Olympic cycle serves as a wake-up call as they prepare for future events.
The last major defeat for the Chinese women’s team in international competitions occurred at the 2010 Moscow World Championships, where they suffered a shocking 1-3 loss to Singapore. In the Asian Championships, their last loss dates back to 2005, apart from not participating in 2021, they have won every other team championship since then.
At this year’s Asian Championships quarter-finals, the Chinese women’s team faced an intense comeback battle against the North Korean team. Sun took to the field first but unexpectedly lost 1-3 to Kim Jin-Young. Despite this, the team rallied to win the next three matches, eventually defeating their opponent 3-1. However, they faced significant challenges, especially when Shixun Yao and Sun Yingsha had to fight through five sets to secure their victories.
In the final against a formidable and younger Japanese team, China sent out Sun Yingsha, Wang Yidi, and Chen Xingtong. As the only player among them with Olympic experience, Sun initially triumphed in her match against Japanese player Mima Ito with a 3-0 victory. But in a surprising turn, she was bested by 16-year-old Mizuki Matsumoto, who came back to win 3-2. Wang Yidi also faced defeat against Matsumoto, and Chen Xingtong lost to Miu Hirano, leading to a final score of 1-3, marking Japan’s first victory over the Chinese women’s team in 50 years.
After winning two golds and a silver at the Paris Olympics, Sun quickly returned to competition, claiming titles at the WTT China Macao Championship and the WTT China Grand Slam. Her withdrawal from the Asian Championships now further depletes the main lineup of the Chinese women’s team.
The Chinese women’s team has been on a grueling schedule, having just concluded the WTT China Grand Slam on the 6th and quickly traveling to Astana the following day. Chen Xingtong was called to action on short notice due to a teammate’s withdrawal. The intense schedule has undoubtedly pushed main players like Sun to their physical and mental limits. Earlier during the WTT China Grand Slam, Sun noted that the frequent competitions hindered her ability to undergo structured training, often leaving her to squeeze in exercise at odd moments to maintain her physical condition. Her recent statement on the evening of the 10th reinforced her struggle with fatigue.
The rigorous schedule and quick pace pose significant challenges for athletes, testing their stamina and energy levels. The heavy reliance on key players, combined with challenges such as time zone differences and complaints regarding the quality of equipment at the tournament, complicate the athletes’ adaptability to the competition environment.
The Japanese women’s team, featuring top-ranked players like Hina Hayata, Miu Hirano, Mizuki Matsumoto, and Mima Ito, came in with a powerful lineup. Especially notable was Matsumoto’s outstanding performance, playing a pivotal role in Japan’s championship win. Looking ahead, it is anticipated that younger players like Matsumoto will shoulder more responsibilities for Japan’s team, while Sun Yingsha remains the only player from the “00s” generation in the current Chinese women’s lineup.
Recently, younger talents from the Chinese ranks, such as Kuai Man and He Zhuojia, have also shown promising performances. As they enter a new cycle, besides established stars like Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, the emergence of younger players could play a crucial role in alleviating the pressures faced by mainstays while also setting the foundation for future team development.
