Ping Pong Episode 7 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
The national team's training officially began with coach Zheng Hao announcing team reassignments. All previous scores were reset to zero, with future tests, attendance, and discipline contributing to new points. Players with the lowest scores would be eliminated, as national team spots were not guaranteed. Xu Tan and Guan Wei were assigned to Mr. Lei Cheng's team, while Yu Kenan joined Mr. Teng Biao's team. After the announcement, Mr. Teng Biao noticed Yu Kenan's displeasure with the assignment.
He clarified that Yu Kenan's initial basic training tasks were essential, not just warm-ups, and that he must master basic skills within three months to surpass Fu Jing Chun. Meanwhile, during a run, Yu Kenan caught sight of a mysterious woman in black, which surprisingly brought a smile to his face, though she remained aloof.
Mr. Lei Cheng, leading Xu Tan and Guan Wei, emphasized the critical importance of the first three strokes in high-level competition, using Fu Jing Chun's fast Penhold Grip shot as an example of strong offensive play. He explained that every shot needed a clear purpose and announced he would develop new offensive strategies for them, requiring Xu Tan to change his long-standing grip and playing stance to boost his attack.
Guan Wei expressed concern that these drastic changes might not be beneficial, and Xu Tan himself found it difficult, struggling to adapt. Despite his doubts, Xu Tan trusted Mr. Lei Cheng, who genuinely wished for his improvement. Guan Wei later advised Xu Tan to distance himself from Yu Kenan, stating that Yu Kenan was a different kind of person, exceptionally talented and willing to sacrifice everything for ping-pong, and would likely not become a true friend.
Guan Wei warned Xu Tan not to become like Jia Yu. For his part, Yu Kenan expressed to a teammate that he cared little about his living arrangements or coach assignments; his sole focus was the coveted central ping-pong table. Life in the national team was intense; even a talent like Yu Kenan pushed himself constantly. Xu Tan continued to struggle with his new grip and stances, finding it hard to abandon old habits.
During physical training, Xu Tan tried to help Guan Wei by falsely reporting his sit-up count, but the deception was quickly discovered by Mr. Fu Chuanzhi. Mr. Fu sternly reprimanded the entire group, emphasizing the importance of collective honor and punishing all team members with an additional two hundred push-ups. Xu Tan’s scores reflected his struggles, with him and Guan Wei tying for last place with 280 points.
Mr. Lei Cheng suggested that adjusting to a new style takes time, but Mr. Fu pointed out that three months should have been sufficient. Despite his challenges, Yu Kenan quickly climbed the ranks. An updated score summary showed Yu Kenan with 350 points, tied for first place with Fu Jing Chun, having even broken Kang Ning’s record.
However, Mr. Zheng expressed a strong prejudice against Yu Kenan, citing his unstable mentality, emotional volatility, and obvious weaknesses, asserting that no matter his talent, he would only excel within the team and never reach international competitions. Later, Mr. Fu Chuanzhi discussed Yu Kenan with Mr. Teng Biao, who initially worried Yu Kenan had caused more trouble. Mr. Fu, however, presented a document that revealed Yu Kenan's impressive feat of breaking Kang Ning's record.
Mr. Fu saw immense potential in Yu Kenan and emphasized the need to find ways to further his development. Soon after, Yu Kenan earned his spot back at the central table, replacing Zhang Chen. Zhang Chen, feeling provoked, disparaged Yu Kenan as merely Fu Jing Chun's training partner and belligerently claimed Yu Kenan's room. Yu Kenan, unfazed, merely retorted, "Can't you speak civilly?"
However, Mr. Zheng intervened, presenting Yu Kenan with a personal training plan and instructing him to serve as Fu Jing Chun's training partner every morning for the week, as Fu Jing Chun was the second team's seed preparing for the World Junior Championship. Yu Kenan vehemently refused to be a mere sparring partner, asserting his equal standing with Fu Jing Chun. He boldly proposed a match between them, with the winner becoming the primary player.
Enraged by Yu Kenan's defiance, Mr. Zheng, recalling Yu Kenan's "emotionally unstable" nature, ordered him to run ten thousand meters. Mr. Teng Biao quickly stepped in to calm Mr. Zheng, trying to shield Yu Kenan from further punishment. Observing this, Xu Tan asked Yu Kenan why he would risk offending Mr. Zheng over a table.
Yu Kenan passionately explained that the central table was his "first gold medal" in the national team, viewing the world only in terms of gold medalists and other players. To address Yu Kenan's rebellious spirit, Mr. Teng Biao arranged for him to go to the women's First team, framing it as a competition rather than mere training. Yu Kenan was tasked with winning against all the main players of the women's team to be allowed back to men's team training.
Yu Kenan, supremely confident and dismissive, declared he would not lose and would accept any punishment if he did. Concurrently, to prepare the Second team for international competition against diverse playing styles, seven special players with unique techniques arrived. These players, seemingly from various local regions, appeared uninhibited and quirky, a stark contrast to the disciplined national team members. Among them was Liu Shi, a boisterous and overly familiar character who immediately caused a stir.
Upon entering the trophy room, he expressed great excitement at seeing the Iran, Heydusek, and Swaythling Cups. He quickly deduced that the Swaythling Cup on display was a replica because the names were printed rather than carved, and he even recognized one of the St. Bride Cups (also known as the W. J. Pope Trophy) as Zhuang Ze Dong's. Attempting to get closer to the trophies, Liu Shi nearly dropped the replica Swaythling Cup, which Xu Tan quickly saved.
Liu Shi, mispronouncing Xu Tan's name as "weak and sick," tried to persuade Xu Tan to take a photo of him, boasting of his ambition to be an Olympics' champion. Later, at a team assembly, Mr. Zheng formally introduced the seven new players, explaining their purpose was to improve the Second team's recent unstable performance and enhance their adaptability to special playing styles during a month-long training cycle.
Liu Shi, spotting Xu Tan, tried to greet him as an "old friend," but Mr. Zheng swiftly curtailed the interaction, reminding everyone of the national team's strict rules. Meanwhile, at the women's team training center, Yu Kenan arrived. Mr. Teng Biao asked if he had any regrets, but Yu Kenan remained steadfast in his refusal to regret.
A female player informed Yu Kenan that he had indeed broken Kang Ning's record but added that Kang Ning had lost badly to "Sister Nan" when he competed against their team. Yu Kenan, unfazed, simply inquired about their main players before beginning his match, a best-of-five series.
Later, Liu Shi was discovered in the women's team locker room, holding a signed paddle from Kang Ning and claiming to be close friends with Kang Ning, Fang Yue, and other main players, much to the surprise of a female player. He declared his intention to stay.
