Ping Pong Episode 34 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
Lei Cheng presented Xu Tan with a unique training tool: a heavy, lead-weighted pan with a coated bottom, specifically designed to practice the backhand banana flip. Lei Cheng explained that to achieve results more outstanding than others, one must put in more effort. He emphasized that if Xu Tan could master the banana flip with this special pan, he would become invincible with a regular racket.
Lei Cheng coached Xu Tan to focus on perfecting the movement, regardless of speed or whether he hit the ball. Xu Tan diligently trained day after day, significantly improving his physical endurance. Occasionally, Xu Tan experienced Wang Siheng's care, which, despite seeming like an overreaction to him, still touched him deeply. When Wang Siheng worried about his injured hand, he found himself grateful for her concern. Later, she gave him a red headband as a reward.
Xu Tan initially expressed his dislike for it, but Wang Siheng insisted he say he liked it, and he reluctantly complied. Through his consistent effort and improved skills, Xu Tan earned the respect of his teammates and secured his spot at the Universiade. Meanwhile, news broke among the team members in the cafeteria that Yu Kenan had been disqualified from the Paris World Cup due to his public altercation with Mr Zheng.
The entire incident had been captured on camera, leaving Mr Fu, the coach, no choice but to impose a one-month training suspension. With only twenty days until the Paris World Cup, this meant Yu Kenan would miss a crucial opportunity to advance towards his Grand Slam dream. Liu Shi, understanding Yu Kenan's deep desire for the Grand Slam, courageously appealed to Mr Fu, explaining that Yu Kenan was stubbornly concealing his true ambition.
Mr Fu, however, stated that the coaching team had already made a decision. Inspired by Liu Shi's stand, other teammates also came forward to plead for Yu Kenan, highlighting his intense dedication to training and the importance of his participation from a practical standpoint. Later, while having dinner with Dr Yuan, Liu Shi revealed that he considers Yu Kenan a "gifted player" who belongs on the table tennis court, questioning why a talent should be hindered from fulfilling his mission.
Dr Yuan noted that Liu Shi himself was a gifted player, always smiling when he talked about ping-pong. Liu Shi admitted that he also smiled when thinking of Dr Yuan. Eventually, Mr Fu announced the roster for the Paris World Cup, and to everyone's surprise and Yu Kenan's excitement, his name was included. Mr Fu sternly warned the team, "If you don't win this world championship, don't come back." Concurrently, preparations for the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade were underway.
Coach Feng made an exception for Wang Siheng to attend, but strictly instructed her to stay outside the Universiade village to ensure she wouldn't disrupt Xu Tan's rest, training, or matches. As the Universiade progressed, Xu Tan easily defeated opponents, clearing various international players to reach the finals. Prior to his final match, Xu Tan was on a phone call with Wang Siheng, telling her, "I won." She praised his "world-class counter loop" and expressed her pride.
Xu Tan acknowledged that he needed to regain his form through playing games but was thrilled to have reached the finals. Their sweet moment was soon overshadowed by the live broadcast of Yu Kenan's match. A commentator announced Yu Kenan's victory over Der Mark, securing his place in the World Cup finals and moving him closer to a Grand Slam.
Lei Cheng, watching the match with Xu Tan, observed that this game showcased Yu Kenan's true skill, something he lacked during the league. Teng Biao encouraged Yu Kenan to win, reminding him that this victory would bring him one step closer to achieving the Grand Slam, and that Zhang Caiwei was watching him. Zhang Caiwei, who had specifically traveled to watch Yu Kenan's match, chose not to enter the stadium.
Outside, she encountered Xiao Jun, finding an opportunity to express her deepest feelings. Zhang Caiwei confided that she intended to terminate her contract. She recalled Xiao Jun's words when she left the national team for the provincial team years ago, saying she was "tired." Now, Zhang Caiwei understood. While genuinely happy for Yu Kenan's ascending career, as an athlete, she felt an overwhelming desire to be like him and surpass him. She admitted she couldn't stop comparing herself to him.
She initially fell in love with his passion, determination, and stubbornness, qualities she shared. However, as he grew stronger, her ambition to surpass him intensified, leading to her feeling increasingly drained and misunderstood by him. She lamented that now, simply picking up a table tennis paddle made her think of Yu Kenan, making it impossible for her to play anymore. She concluded that they had become people from two different worlds.
Meanwhile, Yu Kenan successfully won his match, triumphing over his least favored multi-stroke loop style with a decisive comebacker. He became the World Cup champion, advancing yet another step towards his Grand Slam. Despite the victory, Yu Kenan appeared somber. This left Xu Tan, who was watching on a tablet, with a heavy heart, as he felt he lost his appetite. Lei Cheng, witnessing Xu Tan's reaction, urged him to eat for strength to train.
Simultaneously, in the Universiade finals, Xu Tan faced Shuichi Minamino from Japan. Shuichi Minamino was an experienced Japanese prodigy who had participated in numerous international competitions, making the Universiade feel like a practice match for him. The first game saw Xu Tan win relatively easily. However, from the second game onwards, Shuichi Minamino became aggressively offensive, leaving Xu Tan struggling to counter.
Lei Cheng, observing the match, noted that Shuichi Minamino's aggressive, fast-paced style, aiming for a quick victory, resembled Yu Kenan's play. He urged Xu Tan to change his approach, telling him not to fear his opponent and to respond with even more aggression, saying, "I'm not scared of you. I can be more aggressive than you." Taking Lei Cheng's words to heart and wearing the headband Wang Siheng had given him, Xu Tan's demeanor changed.
He started utilizing the backhand banana flip, a technique he had never used in an official match before, playing with unexpected ferocity yet maintaining a calm composure. He began to close the score gap, eventually pushing the match into a decisive tiebreaker.
In the final, critical point, Xu Tan envisioned Shuichi Minamino as Yu Kenan and made a familiar gesture from their doubles play, then, like a calm leopard awaiting its prey, he executed a powerful counter loop that defeated his opponent's style. Xu Tan won the men's singles title at the Universiade, prompting the entire arena to erupt in cheers, chanting his name.
As Xu Tan absorbed the sound of the crowd, he realized for the first time what he truly desired: to become a world champion, to stand at the pinnacle of global table tennis, and to defeat Yu Kenan. At a press conference, Mr Fu publicly announced Mr Zheng Hao's resignation due to personal family reasons. He also declared that Teng Biao, the former leader of the second team, would take over as Yu Kenan's new personal coach.
A reporter questioned whether Yu Kenan's light punishment for previous infractions was due to his champion status. Mr Fu responded that no decision satisfies everyone, explaining that a lenient punishment might be seen as a privilege, while a harsh one would be deemed unsympathetic. He clarified that this decision was made with the unanimous agreement of the coaching team and all the players.
Later, while in the restroom, Yu Kenan had an unexpected encounter with Jia Yu, who was dressed in a suit. Jia Yu, claiming to have opened a sports company, happily handed Yu Kenan his business card, offering his help. Yu Kenan, however, replied, "You've helped me enough."
