U.S. Nationals 2011

That is a fun swing indeed haha.

How did Timothy Wang did on this edition? I like his style...smart player!
for those who don't know about him...check this exciting video of match played at the Los Angeles Open 2011 ($45000 was the total prize money, and $12000 for the open single), that was only the 8's of final...but amazing battle!

I've seen Timothy play when he played in the Netherlands. He did very well in the first division I believe.

I believe Timothy Wang lost to Peter Li in semis, Peter was losing 0-3 and came back to win 4-3 .

US Nationals quarter final ??? Almost no rallies at all, poor service returns, 3rd division level in Belgium i think.
The US is not producing high level table tennis, because i think it is not really taken seriously. Just look at Borat's hobby , yeah , ping-pong !

I dont want to hurt feelings here , it is just reality.

Why didn't GAO jun play WS? Surely shed win?She played in doubles I think . For some reason I love her style. Is she gonna try for Olympics this year?

Hey... In the U.S. even if you take Table Tennis seriously (I do at least 35 hours a week doing drills and practicing)... The problem locally is the lack of high level players, and general consensus of my peers at school that table tennis is a game which the Chinese take too seriously, and that the real way to play is (in the way I see it) low basement level play. There are few coaches anywhere, none locally. The top players around here are around 1400-1600 in the USATT ratings (of which there are maybe 3 or 4), there is one player from China who played professionally in high school and is rated at around 2400, he played for a while, and then I'm pretty sure discovered girl and bars. I really wish we had world class level players, and I really want to be able to play on a high level (maybe I'll find a camp in China for this summer, and go and train).

sehskyle said:

Hey... In the U.S. even if you take Table Tennis seriously (I do at least 35 hours a week doing drills and practicing)... The problem locally is the lack of high level players, and general consensus of my peers at school that table tennis is a game which the Chinese take too seriously, and that the real way to play is (in the way I see it) low basement level play. There are few coaches anywhere, none locally. The top players around here are around 1400-1600 in the USATT ratings (of which there are maybe 3 or 4), there is one player from China who played professionally in high school and is rated at around 2400, he played for a while, and then I'm pretty sure discovered girl and bars. I really wish we had world class level players, and I really want to be able to play on a high level (maybe I'll find a camp in China for this summer, and go and train).

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Well i semi agree with you on that and have to say that it may depends on where you live in the US, I'm sorry to hear that the highest level around your area summarize to 1400- 1600 players...I guess i am kinda lucky then since in our club we have quite a few players at 2100- 2300, and couple 2400- 2500.

But in my opinion the real problem in the US is the lack of structure! When i first started to play in the US (after quitting for 10 year the french league), shockingly I discover that there were no league, i mean some year long inter club competition...and there are various reasons for that.
But the consequences are that players in local clubs don't develop the kind of bond and team spirit (since they do not experienced the team aspect or the feeling of belonging to the same team or even club) that is required to push each other to the limits and point out each other mistakes. On top of that individualistic mind frame it takes away a tremendous amount of experience (by not participating in a season long championship) for players of any level...Personally, playing just tournament just doesn't do it there is an atmosphere of camaraderie that you just cannot get without being in a championship with a bunch of guys!

Forget about not having Chinese players around..although sure its always good to have some around to get a reality check....But I think that USATT should step up and work on a league/championship involving USATT ratings, that would be paid for when the player takes his membership at the beginning of the season (maybe having two types of membership: one at $40 the same as the one currently offer and one more expensive but gives you the right to be part of the club team and participate the league)
At a even more macro level...there is no government involvement in any sport, besides a superficial promotion of recreational activity to combat childhood obesity...
Sorry for the cynical view on this...but that is my opinion

Super Chopper said:

Why didn't GAO jun play WS? Surely shed win?She played in doubles I think . For some reason I love her style. Is she gonna try for Olympics this year?

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Gao defaulted in WS draw, nothing to prove there. Her doubles partner was one of her students. I love Auntie Gao very much. I drew a lot of stares at the Shanghai Worlds in 2005 for cheering so loudly for her. As an ex-pat, the crowd was polite but restrained. She reached QF, IIRC.

Her style is wonderful and superb BH blocking skills have kept her competitive for a long time. She is a fierce competitor and very proud. By virtue of her World Ranking, she prequalified for Olympic berth. She'll be in London, you can be assured.