30 Tokyo Direct Tournament①
◎【1st update】So does table tennis make you happy?◎
The strongest twelve players of the century will advance directly to the Tokyo tournament.
Each coach nominates two players from his or her own group to participate in a round-robin tournament that lasts about a week.
Finally, the women's and men's table tennis teams each selected the six players with the most points, a total of twelve people, as reserve forces to compete in next year's Tokyo World Games.
However, the final roster still needs to be discussed within the coaching staff.
Being selected as one of the "Twelve Strongest Players of the Century" means you have one foot in the Tokyo World Games.
We need to determine the "direct list" around August next year, observe the performance of these twelve people in world competitions, and then make the final allocation and discussion to decide who is more suitable to play singles and who is more suitable to play doubles.
This is the "three public policies" required by the State Sports General Administration for the election list, fairness, openness and equity.
The order of the games will be arranged by the coaching staff.
One in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Everyone does two games a day.
Winning a small game counts as 2 points, losing a small game deducts 1 point, winning a whole game counts as 4 points, losing a whole game deducts 2 points.
The top six women's and men's teams will be selected based on the points ranking.
I heard from A Shui that there were players with negative scores in the last session who were directly persuaded to withdraw from the national team.
The competition is fierce.
This is the college entrance examination for sports students.
Therefore, many players still have to prepare hard even if they know that they may not have a chance to get a direct pass.
Xu Dong approached Zhu Qi ahead of time and told him, "This is your first time participating in the direct qualifying tournament, and it's also your best chance to potentially compete in the World Games. As long as you can secure a direct qualifying spot, you'll have a chance of making it."
There are several events in the World Games.
Women’s singles, women’s doubles, mixed team – and the recently added mixed doubles.
In her heart, Zhu Qi would definitely prefer to play in the women's singles, but she also knows that her chances of playing in the women's singles are slim.
Table tennis is different from basketball, volleyball, and even synchronized swimming.
Basketball and volleyball are team sports, and new players are guided by veterans.
Table tennis is a competitive one-on-one event. Since ancient times, newcomers have not been allowed to compete in singles at their first World Games. This is a strict rule of the General Administration of Sports. They must first compete in teams to gain experience points.
Even at the peak of his career, He Qianlu had to first play in the men's doubles or men's team and become famous before the national team could submit a list for him to apply for a men's singles spot, which would then be approved by the General Administration of Sports.
"With Chang Hongxia and Maomao ahead of you, there's no way you'll get a singles spot," Xu Dong said bluntly, but he felt his words might be a bit harsh, so he added. "But it's unheard of to be on the national team after just two years. First, win the qualifying tournament, and then I'll fight for a team spot for you."
Zhu Qi nodded.
CCTV reporters set up cameras near all the stadiums and broadcast the entire event live on CCTV5.
The night before the competition, Zhu Qi called home.
My aunt happened to be there too, and my uncle and aunt turned on the loudspeaker. The three adults chatted for a long time, and Qin Xiaoba heard his mother's voice and came over happily.
"Mom! I've finished my first and second level promotion matches! I made the first team!"
My aunt acted as if she didn't hear anything: "Qiqi, is it cold in Chaojing? The sweater I knitted for you last time is too small, right? What size are you now? I'll knit you another one..."
Qin Xiaoba: "Mom! I'm on the first team!"
My aunt then asked, "Can Qiqi come back by the end of the year? If she doesn't come back this year, she can definitely come back next year, right?"
Qin Xiaoba: "I'm on the first team!!"
My uncle added, "I guess you won't be able to come back next year. They say the World Games are open all year round. Otherwise, when your uncle has his summer vacation, we can go to Chaojing to see you... Oh, and your brother too."
Qin Xiaoba: "Can someone please pay attention to me? I've joined the first team!"
Aunt: "I heard it, I heard it with both ears! Your sister has never been in the second team, what are you bragging about? You are just idle!" ...
Qin Xiaoba had just joined the first team. As a member of the spectator group for this direct-entry tournament, he only needed to sit outside the stadium and cheer throughout the whole process.
There is a huge bulletin board at the entrance of the table tennis training ground. The names of the participants in the "Century's Strongest Twelve Direct to Tokyo Tournament" are posted on the blackboard, and the points behind each person's name change every day.
The more points you score, the more red stars will follow.
In less than five days, the people in the front had already widened the gap with those behind them.
Chang Hongxia: 64
Zhu Qi: 60 pills
Zu Tianjiao: 55
Golden Lily: 50 pieces
Ding Shushu: 48 pills...
Although there is still one day of direct competition, there will only be about thirty or twenty players left, and it will be difficult for the players at the back to catch up with the players at the front.
The six direct qualifying spots for the women's team seem to be clear.
Ding Shushu performed exceptionally well, seemed to have regained her peak form, and played exceptionally well.
It was almost common knowledge that Zhu Qi was firmly in the top three.
In the direct-entry tournament, Zhu Qi won almost all the matches, only losing to Chang Hongxia with a score of [2:3].
Chang Hongxia even joked that she was seeking revenge for the Ping Pong League match. She also offered Zhu Qi some training advice, saying, "You get carried away easily during matches. Knowing your opponent is deliberately going forehand, you still fall into their trap and fight to the death. This isn't okay. Even if you've mastered a technique, there's no guarantee the opponent won't be more proficient. Play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. Don't use your sword against your opponent's. Sometimes, try to find an opportunity by holding a few more shots."
Zhu Qi thought it made perfect sense and nodded repeatedly.
Many times, it is difficult to find your own problems, and only your opponents know where your flaws lie.
When Zhu Qi and Chang Hongxia played against each other in the Ping Tiao League, every ball was a fierce battle. It was rare for a match to last more than three balls, with the outcome often decided on a single shot, and luck played a role.
But in this direct-entry tournament, Chang Hongxia was obviously not as impetuous as she was in the Table Tennis Challenge League. Instead, she calmly used her straight-blade forehand advantage to face Zhu Qi head-on.
Zhu Qi also felt that the straight-blade's once terrifying dominance still existed, and only Chang Hongxia could play such an offensive straight-blade ball.
Xu Dong was very happy and had already started preparing to help Zhu Qi get the group list.
On the sixth day of the competition, a person suddenly climbed from the end to the front row, replaced the original sixth place and became the current sixth person.
——Fang Miao: 45
Standing in front of the bulletin board, A Shui looked at his ranking and cried out "Wow".
On her sixth day, she won both games 3:0.
Scored 20 points in one breath!
Even Xu Dong and Fo Ye didn't expect that A Shui would make such a big splash without making any noise.
Zhu Qi knew why.
Ah Shui usually looks carefree, as if she can just laugh it off no matter what bad things she encounters. But when she first joined the team, she showed a desire to improve.
Even when I was fetching food, buying water, or running errands for the team members, I wanted to learn a few tricks from them. Because of this, I was bullied a lot.
Everyone said that the left-hander would be picked for doubles.
Because almost all table tennis systems are designed for right-handed players. And Ah Shui has a special long rubber playing style, so the definition of joining the team is to serve as a sparring partner for the absolute main players.
But those who can make it into the national team have all practiced step by step since childhood, washing their childhood with their tears and sweat.
If you can represent your country in an expedition, no one wants to be someone else's foil forever.
From October last year to June now, she has been practicing with Zhu Qi, but at the same time she has also been improving her own skills and tactics.
Following the ideas provided by He Qianlu at the Table Tennis Challenge League, Zhu Qi made a comprehensive and detailed training plan for Ah Shui specifically for the long rubber style of play.
The backhand attack style is mainly based on backhand positive rubber and supplemented by backhand long rubber. This method is almost tailor-made for A Shui's style of play.
This direct-through competition was very effective.
A Shui hugged Zhu Qi and cried for a long time. She thought Zhu Qi was so awesome.
This is like having a top student sitting next to you. Not only is she a good student, but she also knows how to predict the questions! She can guess what the teacher is thinking! Following the review plan she gives you, you can easily get into a 985 university!
"I'm so lucky!" Ah Shui cried and clung to Zhu Qi. "I want to be with you, the best person in the world!"
But Zhu Qi felt that A Shui should also thank him.
After all, she is also very motivated.
Because of this direct-through tournament, A Shui has also advanced from the main layer to the absolute main team, and she is already very satisfied.
Because of his good relationship with Zhu Qi and Maomao, A Shui often went to the seventh floor to play with them.
Now I can move from the fourth floor to the seventh floor openly and be roommates with Zhu Qi and Maomao.
Zhu Qi and Maomao helped her move things all night, from clothes to sneakers to toiletries, skin care products, rackets, rubbers... and a lot of snacks.
Maomao moved in despair, and Zhu Qi moved so much that he wanted to die.
The two of them stood back to back, panting. Maomao couldn't stand it anymore and sat on Ah Shui's suitcase: "What else is there? Don't abuse the elderly! Are you moving into the national team or opening a store? If you don't know, you'd think there's a god living in your house..."
Ah Shui could only bear the pain and throw away the useless things...
There just happened to be one room left in their suite, right next to Zhu Qi's room.
"Yeah! The women's table tennis trio is now officially formed! It will be convenient for us to exercise, bathe, and eat together from now on!"
Ah Shui was lying on the bed in his room, jumping for joy. "I've been with the national team for so long, and today is the happiest day ever! I've always wanted to be roommates with you guys, and today I finally got my wish!"
Maomao looked at the two little sisters in his room and said with a smile, "Okay, everything that needs to be moved is done. I'm going to do the laundry. You guys should go to bed early and leave the door open for me."
There were only two people left in the room.
The living room outside is actually very narrow. After putting a bench and a table, there is only enough space for one person to walk back and forth.
There are still a lot of Ah Shui's things piled on top, but it's too late today and they have to wait until tomorrow to clean them up.
Zhu Qi was exhausted from helping to move things. Every bone ached and it was more tiring than running 10,000 meters.
Ah Shui stretched out his arms and hugged Zhu Qi: "I want to sleep with you tonight!"
"Sleep with me? Forget it." Zhu Qi hesitated.
"Why!" Ah Shui blinked pitifully.
"When I sleep..." Zhu Qi hesitated. She had a bad sleep quality and often made noises at night. Even the cat in the next room knew about it, and Ah Shui, who slept next to her, probably couldn't sleep well either.
"Hey? I know. Your brother said you often have nightmares when you sleep. Are you afraid of disturbing me?"
"..." Zhu Qi. This big mouth.
Ah Shui clenched his fist and waved it in front of Zhu Qi. "It's okay! Did you know that my nickname is the Deep Sleeper! Not even an earthquake can wake me up! And I'll sleep with you and help you get rid of your nightmares! I guarantee you'll sleep through the night!"
Zhu Qi was half-heartedly dragged onto the bed by her, and A Shui quickly lifted the quilt to cover him.
The soft blanket wrapped the two girls tightly.
A Shui's bed is very soft. It is a duck down quilt that her parents brought from Shanghai. Lying in it feels as comfortable as sleeping on the clouds.
But in fact, Zhu Qi is more accustomed to thick quilts. The feeling of being pressed by heavy bedding makes him feel very secure.
The girls' slightly damp hair blended together.
Zhu Qi's breath was filled with the minty scent of shower gel and the fragrance of shampoo on his head, mixed with a hint of the unique fragrance of the girl's bedding.
Zhu Qi swore that she was not a lesbian.
But I really like the feeling of being close to A Shui and hugging the soft girl's body.
There is a comforting feeling like holding a kitten.
Of course, the other party felt the same way.
Ah Shui shouted: "Wow! You are so soft! It feels so comfortable to hug you!" Then he snuggled into Zhu Qi's neck and sniffed it.
The two of them put their heads against each other, laughing and joking for a while, then looked up at the poster on the ceiling left by the previous occupant.
Allen, who was born in Odenward, Germany, is a veteran in the World Games table tennis event. He has won many honors in the men's group and is the first idol of many table tennis players.
Night is the best time to talk about your heart.
Especially girls aged fifteen or sixteen.
Ah Shui stared at Allen's poster intently, perhaps remembering his own youth when he gave up academic studies to pursue a sports career. He said, "Felix's beard is so sexy. I used to practice his submarine serve, but then I realized I couldn't get the feel for it with long rubber. But don't you really have any players you admire? Didn't you have any as a kid?"
“No, but there are players I admire.”
"Our national table tennis team is still sponsored by an external organization?" A Shui blinked.
"There are both national table tennis players and those from foreign associations."
"I know you like the hard-working type, right?"
Seeing Zhu Qi's "How did you know?" expression, Ah Shui grinned and said, "That's why you scold Lao Qin every day. I heard that when he joined the first team, he was hand-picked by the men's team head coach because he plays horizontal racket and inverted rubber. Every time this happens, I get a little frustrated. I wish I had practiced double-sided inverted rubber from the beginning."
"Why do you say that? Didn't you play very well in this direct tournament?"
"But I also know that I'm left-handed, and the team only wants left-handers for doubles. I... am afraid I won't get a chance to play singles."
"Just because you can win two games in a row [3-0] proves that being left-handed or right-handed isn't the right way to measure a good player. Opportunities are earned." Zhu Qi looked at the Allen poster on the ceiling and pursed his lips. "Didn't he also stand on the singles podium with his left hand? And even in doubles, you can raise the national flag. Didn't Coach Xu say that doubles can sometimes be more difficult than singles, with more tactics and more coordination."
Ah Shui murmured, half-lying on the bed with her arms supporting her, looking at Zhu Qi with bright eyes: "Then I will play well in the Asian Cup and the Asian Championships. Let's team up in women's doubles, right? Let's shine in Tokyo!"
"Okay, let's figure out the rankings and then go ask Chairman Ren for the list." Zhu Qi said with a smile.
Zhu Qi was joking.
There are strict rules within the team.
Players are strictly prohibited from asking coaches for quotas or interfering with the coaching staff's selection of players.
But Ah Shui was comforted, and the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. But after a while, he sighed again: "Bao Bao, you said last time that table tennis chose you. Why did you say that?"
"Because table tennis is the only thing that can bring me out of the nightmare." Zhu Qi closed his eyes and said lightly.
"Speaking of which, I've never heard you mention your family. I only know that your uncle and aunt treat you very well, and Lao Qin's parents love you very much too. But what about your own parents? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
"They are my nightmares." When Zhu Qi opened his eyes again, the expression in his pupils was very calm. "My mother passed away when I was four years old. When she was alive, she always told me that she didn't need me to be an outstanding person, but that she hoped that every day of my future would be happy, joyful and healthy."
"So does table tennis make you happy?"
"Yes." Zhu Qi looked at her sideways and smiled. "Winning the championship made me feel very happy."
Tomorrow is the last day of the direct tournament.
In the morning it was Zhu Qi and Maomao, and in the afternoon it was Chang Hongxia and Maomao.
In fact, it is no longer necessary to play this game, because their scores are too high, and the direct qualification spots are basically confirmed for the six of them.
But the coaching staff felt that it was still necessary to play because it would allow them to observe more of their performance when facing teammates they were with day and night.
Xu Dong also told Zhu Qi to prepare well.
Maybe they also hope that Zhu Qi will win in one fell swoop and increase his chances of singles.
"You're already very good." Ah Shui's serious expression was very sincere. "When I told my family on the phone that I became the sixth of the Twelve Strongest Players of the Century, they couldn't believe it. I said it was all because I've been training according to your recommended training methods, and you've been a huge help to me. Baobao, many people on the women's team say they envy your talent, but I know how much effort it took to get to where you are today. You get up an hour earlier than everyone else every day, train for two extra hours at night, and strictly follow the diet prescribed by your physical trainer to build muscle, not daring to eat anything extra. Every time I see you training so hard, I think I should learn from you. It's like there's a strange motivation pulling me forward, and it feels great."
It was rare for Ah Shui to say so many sweet and affectionate words. Zhu Qi moved out of the quilt and jokingly said, "Why are you saying such nice things? Do you want to date me?"
The two girls giggled for a while, then Ah Shui suddenly stopped laughing and said with regret, "You have to play against Maomao tomorrow morning. Even if you both lose all three games, you won't fall out of the top six. But I think Maomao is under a lot of pressure. She hasn't said much today."
"This is my first time playing against her and I'm looking forward to it."
"By the way, do you know about Maomao's shoulder injury?"
"Of course. I've lived with her for almost half a year, and I'm the one who applies the ointment to her every night. How could I not know?"
"No, I'm talking about the reason why Cat's shoulder was injured!"
Zhu Qi was stunned for a moment, then turned sideways and asked, "Isn't it because of overstrain?"
Ah Shui sighed, a look of pity on his face, and said regretfully, "Of course not. I only heard about this from others, but many people have confirmed that it did happen. It was six years ago, when Maomao participated in the national youth training camp..."
【Author’s words】
This chapter has a few words, there will be another chapter at 18:00~
The cat's background story starts!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
