Ping Pong Episode 22 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
Over time, Xu Tan and Yu Kenan developed a stronger tacit understanding, finally overcoming their disagreements in daily life and making significant progress in their table tennis skills. Following a doubles strategy proposed by Ma Chuan, they devised a system of hand signals. Yu Kenan suggested a dynamic where he would primarily attack and Xu Tan would defend.
After some initial humorous attempts at creating complex gestures by Yu Kenan, Xu Tan simplified them, establishing clear signals for topspin, backspin, long, and short balls, which he practiced diligently, even cramping his finger. Seeing their consistent progress, Coach Fu Chuanzhi decided it was time for the next phase, and Coach Teng Biao announced that the handcuffs, which had symbolized their unique training, would finally be honorably retired.
With his hands now free, Yu Kenan immediately went to find Zhang Caiwei for a date. He was eager to spend freely, suggesting an expensive restaurant where a meal for two cost over two thousand yuan. Zhang Caiwei, however, was more mindful of expenses and suggested they find a more affordable place. Yu Kenan then took her to a clothing store.
He picked out a dress and high heels, a style Zhang Caiwei had never worn and was reluctant to try. However, Yu Kenan persisted, telling her that people should always make breakthroughs. She reluctantly tried them on, and when she emerged, Yu Kenan was captivated, telling her she looked beautiful. Later, as they walked, it began to rain, and Zhang Caiwei twisted her ankle. Yu Kenan tried to hail a taxi, but none were available late at night.
Without hesitation, he carried her on his back all the way back to the training center. Upon their return, Coach Teng Biao was waiting for Yu Kenan, having called him earlier, furious that he had taken a leave while Xu Tan was training. Teng Biao sternly warned Yu Kenan that his personal life was affecting his training and that if he failed the upcoming assessment, he would lose his place in the team.
He advised Yu Kenan to calmly reflect on his next steps. Meanwhile, Xu Tan was pondering what gift to get Lei Lei for her upcoming eighteenth birthday. He sought advice from Ma Chuan and another teammate, who teased him about buying a gift for a girl. Ma Chuan suggested he find out what Lei Lei truly needed, dismissing Xu Tan’s current ideas like cake, sneakers, or a scarf as potentially unsuitable.
When Xu Tan met Lei Lei and asked about her wishes for her birthday, she nonchalantly stated she had no specific wishes but really wanted to improve her math grades, leaving Xu Tan at a loss. Coach Fu Chuanzhi suddenly announced a surprise temporary doubles match, pitting Yu Kenan and Xu Tan against members of the First Team in a best-of-three game.
Coach Teng Biao warned them that their opponents had a left-right handed advantage and excelled at forehand short balls, a tactic specifically targeting Xu Tan. During the match, Ma Chuan observed to Liu Shi that Yu Kenan was solely focused on attacking while Xu Tan was purely defensive, and their opponents were exploiting this by using body-hits against Yu Kenan.
The match quickly devolved into an argument between Yu Kenan and Xu Tan, with Yu Kenan criticizing Xu Tan's returns and Xu Tan defending his plays, both blaming each other for not adhering to their agreed-upon roles and hand signals. They ultimately lost decisively, 11-2 and 11-3.
Coach Fu Chuanzhi expressed his deep disappointment, noting that their panic was not the main issue; their inability to adapt to body-hits and their failure to analyze their own strengths and weaknesses were the real problems. He stated that with their current level, they were not ready for the First Team, emphasizing that true improvement comes from self-realization.
Coach Teng Biao then revealed the true significance of the match: it was Coach Fu Chuanzhi’s assessment for their entry into the First Team, and they had squandered the opportunity. He chastised them for their arrogance and lack of preparation, declaring that there would be "no next time" for such a chance. Furthermore, due to their cumulative low scores, the team decided to cancel their qualification for the intragroup round-robin tournament.
Teng Biao, furious, dismissed them, telling them to reflect deeply on their failures. As the Chinese New Year approached, Coach Fu Chuanzhi announced a five-day holiday but reminded the team of the packed schedule ahead, including the Kuwait Open, the Zagreb World Table Tennis Championships direct qualification tournament, two major internal round-robin tournaments, the World Table Tennis Championships selection tournament, and the Beijing Olympics. Yu Kenan's New Year celebration at home was fraught with tension.
His father, Yu Ge, relentlessly criticized him for not making it into the First Team and for "playing" in Beijing, despite his mother's attempts to defend him. Feeling suffocated by the constant negativity, Yu Kenan abruptly left the New Year's Eve dinner and returned to the training center early, where he found Xu Tan already practicing. The two of them shared a meal in their dorm, watching a TV report about the Kuwait Open.
The broadcast announced that the Chinese ping-pong team had performed excellently, with Ma Chuan and Leng Yi winning the men's doubles gold medal and Liu Shi securing a silver medal in men's singles. During a post-match interview, a nervous Leng Yi gave a brief response, while Ma Chuan delivered a comprehensive thank you speech, acknowledging the national team leaders, coaches, and teammates, and highlighting their thorough analysis of the German team’s tactics.
Despite his silver medal, Liu Shi was not satisfied and immediately sought out Coach Qin Zhen, eager to learn "ultimate moves" to improve his first three strokes, which he felt were too monotonous and passive against strong attacks. Qin Zhen, however, insisted he first master his forehand. Xu Tan then approached Liu Shi, clearly seeking help. Meanwhile, Yu Kenan cornered Ma Chuan in the hallway, requesting his help in training.
Ma Chuan initially feigned busyness with his own packed schedule, but Yu Kenan cleverly blackmailed him with knowledge of his past misdeeds, such as causing a dormitory power outage by cooking hotpot and sneaking out at night. Ma Chuan tried to deflect blame to Liu Shi, but Yu Kenan threatened to involve the security guard. After some haggling, Ma Chuan agreed to help for three boxes of chocolates a week.
With Liu Shi and Ma Chuan now involved, the four began training together. Liu Shi, despite being a chopper by specialty, adapted to play against them. Yu Kenan emphasized that they needed Liu Shi and Ma Chuan’s expertise with First Team playing styles. During practice, Liu Shi and Ma Chuan quickly identified Xu Tan and Yu Kenan's persistent problem, with Liu Shi articulating it as Xu Tan's reluctance to attack and Yu Kenan's impatience in defense.
Liu Shi noted that their predictable strategy made them easy targets for body-hits. Yu Kenan admitted he understood the theory but couldn't help but attack whenever a ball came his way. Ma Chuan then offered the crucial solution: they needed to develop offensive-defensive transition. When Yu Kenan was targeted, Xu Tan should actively attack, and conversely, when Xu Tan was targeted, Yu Kenan should provide defense. By switching their roles, they could break the deadlock and unpredictability that currently plagued their game.
