says
hAHAHAHA THANX MATE :D
says
hAHAHAHA THANX MATE :D
Well-Known Member
courtesy of ITTF
Again, I found this interview by tabletennista that is worth sharing with everyone. Liu Guoliang candidly talks about the Chinese team and the upcoming Olympics.
Everyone is just excited for the final announcement of the Chinese delegates for the 2012 London Olympics. Since there are limited slots this year, China has to make a very hard decision and choose the best possible players they have. Among the decision makers, the head coach of the men's team Liu Guoliang shoulders the most pressure. Along with this, the head coach graced an interview and expressed his views over the London Olympics. In addition, Liu Guoliang acknowledged Wang Liqin's performance while he also admitted that Zhang Jike needs more discipline.
The 2012 London Olympics is just ten months away from now and the excitement is just in the air. Along with this excitement is the anticipation for the final list of China which we all know are facing a hard time in deciding for their Olympic delegates. To give some light, Liu Guoliang finally talked about the upcoming Olympics with more depth.
Reporter: Everyone is just showing their concern for the upcoming Olympics. Is the list of the Chinese delegates fixed already?
Liu Guoliang: Currently, the candidates for the Olympic Games is certainly not identified yet. Including Wang Liqin, it doesn't mean that he has no chance to break into the London Olympics. In a span of ten months, anything can change.
Reporter: Wang Hao and Zhang Jike are already in the list. Since Zhang Jike achieved this year's world championship title, is he ensured of a slot already?
Liu Guoliang: It's still hard for me to answer that. After all, he got one title. However in our team, we have players who got more championship titles. What I can only say is that he has equal chances just like the others. The player with the most stable condition will certainly get through.
In Rotterdam, Zhang Jike defeated the world's number one Wang Hao and the number two player, Timo Boll. I was actually a bit surprised with his achievement. He showed a very good, explosive and bloody performance in the arena and that is his biggest advantage. However, technically speaking, he is still not good enough and he still have a number of problems. He also needs more discipline.
Reporter: Compared to the previous Beijing Olympics, did our advantage decrease?
Liu Guoliang: Overall, our advantage is still there. After all the Chinese table tennis team has a good foundation and we are also the best team. As for the overall strength of the players, it is beyond doubt that we are the strongest. However, in the individual level, we are going through a replacement period. This advantage is indeed shrinking.
Reporter: Would our goal in London is to sweep all the medals?
Liu Guoliang: I cannot dare say that but I must go to war for every gold medal. We cannot just give up just because of increased difficulty.