Xu Xin and Ma Long lead the way. (Photo ITTF)
China’s top table tennis stars have been involved in a week-long military training camp, as part of their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games preparations.
The Chinese national table tennis team, including the likes of Xu Xin, Liu Shiwen, Ding Ning, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong, reported for a stringent military training regime from 13-18 January,
This is the teams’ popular method of getting ready for the most important year of table tennis ahead. The players had previously entered into a troop of Shenyang Military Region to start the week-long military training with CTTA President, Liu Guoliang.
“We have a tough task for Tokyo 2020. We have a very big challenge ahead. I hope that through the military training, we can improve our fighting spirit and team spirit. It will be helpful for our preparations leading up to Tokyo. This time, not only players, but also our coaches and association staff will join the military training as well. They are all part of Team China,: said Guoliang
The team also underwent military training before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. This year the top paddlers entered the camp and found the training subjects arranged for them by the artillery unit different from those they had received in the past.
In what is both a matter of pride and passion, the Chinese athletes were put to the test over a variety of activities, ranging from proper military cardio drills to escorting the Chinese national flag during the graduation ceremony of the military camp.
“As I said before, we need to strengthen our team spirit to become a better united team. We set very strict and high standards for this training. We hope our players can endure the hardships and stand up to the hard work required,” added Guoliang.
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