Ping Pong Episode 28 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
After realizing they had been sidelined by Mr Zheng, Yu Kenan, fueled by indignation, discussed with Xu Tan the possibility of requesting a coach change from Mr Fu. Xu Tan was hesitant, reminding him that in the national team, coaches change players, not the other way around. Yu Kenan argued that they had fought hard to get where they were, believing they should earn their opportunities. Yet, all chances were solely decided by Mr Zheng, which he found unfair.
Xu Tan worried about the consequences, including being expelled from the national team. However, Yu Kenan firmly stated that any consequence was better than being a coward. He had waited and endured for two years, and believed they would be out of the team in another couple of years if nothing changed. He refused to be content with that outcome. Xu Tan, unable to ignore Yu Kenan's words, agreed to go with him to speak to Mr Fu.
Meanwhile, just before the World Table Tennis Championships, Fu Jingchun's foot injury flared up again, and it had reached a point where surgery was unavoidable; otherwise, it could affect his ability to walk normally in the future. Fu Jingchun had never realized his foot injury was so severe, yet he was determined to sacrifice a leg if necessary to play in the competition. This was Fu Jingchun's last chance to win a championship.
He insisted on temporarily suppressing the pain, concealing his injury from everyone, and rushing to the competition, determined to win a championship at the end of his career. Having coached Fu Jingchun for many years, Mr Zheng's affection for him was like that of a father and son. He was willing to fulfill Fu Jingchun's wish to play, but the team would not allow it.
Despite the grim prognosis and the doctor's warning that he might not be able to walk normally if he didn't undergo surgery, Fu Jingchun was determined to play in Moscow. He pleaded with Mr Zheng, his coach, to let him compete, swearing he would win the championship, emphasizing it might be his last chance. Moved by Fu Jingchun's desperation, Mr Zheng made the difficult decision to let him play.
As Yu Kenan and Xu Tan prepared to find Mr Fu, Mr Zheng stopped Yu Kenan, informing him of a team jersey press conference and an opponent analysis meeting for the World Table Tennis Championships. Yu Kenan initially dismissed it, asserting he didn't care for such things and knew the meeting was meant for those going to Moscow. However, Mr Zheng strongly implied that this was Yu Kenan's opportunity, saying he was the one going.
Realizing he had been selected for the World Table Tennis Championships, Yu Kenan called Xu Tan, who was already at Mr Fu's office door, to tell him not to go, explaining it was difficult to discuss over the phone. Just then, Fu Jingchun emerged from the office looking dejected, and Mr Fu saw Xu Tan standing outside, hesitating.
With his decision already made, Xu Tan went in and requested a coach change, only to find other coaches already present in the room. Later, back in their dorm, Yu Kenan angrily confronted Xu Tan for going despite his call. Xu Tan, noticing the "guest badge" around Yu Kenan's neck, retorted, accusing Yu Kenan of stopping him for that very reason.
Their relationship strained significantly, and for a period, Xu Tan seemed to lose his spirit, mechanically going through training and picking up ping pong balls, as if his heart was unsettled. At the Moscow World Table Tennis Championships, Yu Kenan, alongside Zhao Yang, Ye Zhen Xin, Nie Rui Feng, and Xia Ke, made his international debut in the Men's Team event.
The Chinese team, with Yu Kenan described by commentators as a "fierce tiger" dominating his opponents, successfully defeated Germany to win the Men's Team championship. During this time, Zhang Caiwei, who was in Germany, met the Chinese women's team, including Xiao Jun, who had also won a gold medal. Seeing their success made Zhang Caiwei yearn for her own achievements.
She told Yu Kenan that she was considering applying for German citizenship, as the German coach had promised her the top player position if she joined. Yu Kenan was shocked and upset that she hadn't discussed such an important decision with him. Zhang Caiwei explained she had been thinking about it for a long time but hadn't finalized her decision. She expressed her deep frustration, feeling like everyone else was moving forward while she was stuck, just watching.
She was only 24 but felt pressured to retire and desperately wanted to win a medal in a real competition, believing it was her only chance. Yu Kenan tried to reassure her, saying that their success was intertwined, and her medal was his. He urged her to wait until he became the Men's Singles World Champion, promising she could do anything she wanted upon returning to China.
Zhang Caiwei, however, argued that it wasn't the same; she wanted to win it herself and asked him, for once, to consider things from her perspective. Their conversation ended in an unresolved argument, and she walked away. After the Moscow championships, Fu Jingchun underwent surgery for his foot injury, which now required him to use crutches, signifying the end of his competitive career.
He confronted Mr Zheng in his office, with Mr Qin also present, sarcastically congratulating his "Master" on raising another World Champion. He questioned why Mr Zheng had him removed from the competition, reminding him that he had devoted everything to Mr Zheng since he was sixteen, always following his instructions. Mr Zheng explained that playing with an injury was too risky, making his removal a reasonable decision.
Fu Jingchun was incensed, recalling Mr Zheng's past words that the championship was paramount and worth any sacrifice, and he had been willing to give up his leg for it. He accused Mr Zheng of being guilty and afraid to tell him himself. Mr Zheng denied being guilty. Their emotional exchange escalated until Fu Jingchun shattered a glass panel in Mr Zheng's office with his crutch, declaring that from then on, his affairs were none of Mr Zheng's business.
Later, Mr Zheng discussed the decision with Mr Fu. Mr Zheng disagreed with replacing Fu Jingchun, emphasizing that Fu Jingchun was his player and any such change should have been discussed. He argued that Yu Kenan was also his player, but Fu Jingchun had more experience for a major competition, and his opportunities were dwindling, while Yu Kenan would have more chances. Mr Fu clarified that it was a notice, not a discussion.
He stated that Yu Kenan was more suitable for the competition and needed the training opportunity to grow. Mr Fu explained that a coach must often prioritize the team's interests over individual feelings, even if players don't understand, citing his own past decision to replace Qin Zhen as an example. This was the coach's responsibility. Separately, Mr Zheng gave a lecture about the importance of a core technique for a ping-pong player, likening those without a "one-move wonder" to substitutes.
Xu Tan overheard this, interpreting it as a direct blow to himself, and felt completely disheartened. The national team soon geared up for the Rotterdam World Table Tennis Championships. The Men's Singles roster included Ye Zhen Xin, Xia Ke, and Yu Kenan. This was Yu Kenan's first time competing in a world-class Men's Singles event. In the semi-finals, he faced Kim Sung-wu from Korea, leading three-zero.
Commentators noted his aggressive form, completely dominating his opponent with a "champion's aura," earning him the nickname "Tiger Yu Kenan." He won his match and advanced to the finals. However, a major upset occurred when China's top seed, Ye Zhen Xin, lost to Japan's young genius, Ryumoto Tomokazu, ending his journey in the semi-finals. This placed immense pressure on Yu Kenan, as the entire hope for China's Men's Singles title now rested on his shoulders.
In the final match against Ryumoto Tomokazu, also a heavy offensive player, commentators observed Yu Kenan's unusual strategy. Despite being known for his strong first three strokes, he completely abandoned this specialty in the first game, opting for a defensive tactic. Ryumoto Tomokazu, known as "Team China's killer" in Japan and buoyed by his recent victory over Ye Zhen Xin, aggressively attacked and scored several consecutive points. Yu Kenan's uncharacteristic play raised concerns about his current state.
