The World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash is officially underway at Shougang Park in Beijing, marking the return of elite international table tennis to the Chinese capital after 63 years. This premier 10-day event, boasting a prize purse of two million US dollars, is part of the prestigious Smash series, akin to Grand Slam events in tennis.
While Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng are absent, the Chinese team remains formidable with world number ones Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha at the helm. Both athletes are entering the tournament with high ambitions, following a year of impressive performances on the global stage.
Wang Chuqin shared his evolved approach post-Olympics, saying, \"The recent Olympic Games brought about a significant transformation in my mindset and mentality. Therefore, I no longer subject myself to harsh self-criticism before matches, avoiding a state of suppression and anxiety. I aim to approach the upcoming matches in a relaxed and accepting manner.\"
Sun Yingsha expressed her dedication to inspiring the younger generation, stating, \"I hope to transmit positive energy to the younger generation through this competition. I aspire to be a role model for them, so I have been striving to improve myself. I hope to deliver thrilling performances and set a better example for everyone.\" Her commitment to excellence aims to motivate aspiring table tennis players around the world.
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Wang and Sun lead as WTT China Smash gets underway in Beijing
cgtn.com
