34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup 2025, Shenzhen, 2/19-23

[ThePongCommenter]

Oh prolly just is not used to K3 yet. It is similar but still some difference compared to 09C. We don’t even know what blade he is using right now and whether he is used to that yet

3 months for a professional (especially with how much the Koreans train) should be more than enough time to get used to it, though he is clearly struggling for one reason or another.

 

[joshmak10]

3 months for a professional (especially with how much the Koreans train) should be more than enough time to get used to it, though he is clearly struggling for one reason or another.

But we also have to remember that he’s been a Butterfly player almost all his career so far and thus has muscle memory to the 09C. K3 needs a whole new muscle memory to develop, especially with the throw angle and speed.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

But we also have to remember that he’s been a Butterfly player almost all his career so far and thus has muscle memory to the 09C. K3 needs a whole new muscle memory to develop, especially with the throw angle and speed.

I'm aware, as I said, if 3 months of professional training hours isn't enough to get used to it, it may just not be for him.

 

[joshmak10]

I'm aware, as I said, if 3 months of professional training hours isn't enough to get used to it, it may just not be for him.

He prolly just needs more time. Different players adjust differently to equipment change and I’m sure he’ll get used to K3 by May or June the latest

 

[NextLevel]

I find this hard to believe, lol.

If you haven't seen someone play, just accept that they are sometimes revealing their playing level lol.

 

[NextLevel]

yep.
its actually a very complicated matter to be honest.
blade/rubber pairing can make or break a player.

Over the past 10+ years, I know some that are happy with brands made customized blades and some that never really adapted to it. Some to the extend that you would buy your own blades and send them to the brand for handle changes.
There were also times where the brand found out you used other brand rubbers and payment of fines (as per contract) was enforced, and also those where the brands blade/rubbers helped a great deal.

So, after 10+ years, this is still a complicated matter,
some brands do allow mixed brand usage to a certain level, but ultimately, all brands are trying to lock in 100%, which to be honest, can be quite tough for both parties.

Yep. For those who want to remember how bad ir can get, there is a reason that Dima ultimately left Donic and Freitas left Tibhar - they juat couldn't play without Butterfly stuff and it wasn't reflecting well on the brands. While ESN has closed the gap, people who have gotten very used to Spring sponge don't always change seamlessly.

 

[NextLevel]

3 months for a professional (especially with how much the Koreans train) should be more than enough time to get used to it, though he is clearly struggling for one reason or another.

It's enough time to get used to it but he may ultimately not like it. Different strokes for different folks unfortunately.

 

[NextLevel]

People complain about the commentators but I have been pleasantly surprised at how familiar they seem to be with the sport personalities. Makes me wonder whether they are aided by Chat GPT lol...

 

[NextLevel]

Every since the disastrous 0-3 defeat at the Asian Teams Champs to Iran, the Japanese seem to have figured out Noshad...

 

[ThePongCommenter]

He prolly just needs more time. Different players adjust differently to equipment change and I’m sure he’ll get used to K3 by May or June the latest

Let me be a little more blunt. It does not take pro players 6 months and 1000 training hours to become acquainted with equipment and how it plays. This is simply a fact. They are able to make all the adjustments to get a proper feel for the strengths, limitations, and characteristics in a pretty quick amount of time in a way that amateur players cannot.

That doesn't mean that even after all that adaptation period, that it will suit them optimally and give them confidence in the way they play. And if they have to change certain things about how they play in order to get the required performance out of their equipment, that can certainly cause a setback and lack of confidence.

I am not saying that this is the sole reason for OJS' uninspiring performance which perfectly coincides with the time frame since he switched to Tibhar (starting at WYC), but it certainly seems to be one.

 

[joshmak10]

Let me be a little more blunt. It does not take pro players 6 months and 1000 training hours to become acquainted with equipment and how it plays. This is simply a fact. They are able to make all the adjustments to get a proper feel for the strengths, limitations, and characteristics in a pretty quick amount of time in a way that amateur players cannot.

That doesn't mean that even after all that adaptation period, that it will suit them optimally and give them confidence in the way they play. And if they have to change certain things about how they play in order to get the required performance out of their equipment, that can certainly cause a setback and lack of confidence.

I am not saying that this is the sole reason for OJS' uninspiring performance which perfectly coincides with the time frame since he switched to Tibhar (starting at WYC), but it certainly seems to be one.

I can agree to the fact that he should probably already be used to it as K3 is considered one of the most similar 09C alternatives, but yes I think the reasons for his slump is his confidence and his equipment might not just be for him. An Jaehyun is a perfect example of this; he switched back to W968 after some poor results with his own blade from Xiom

 

[joshmak10]

I can agree to the fact that he should probably already be used to it as K3 is considered one of the most similar 09C alternatives, but yes I think the reasons for his slump is his confidence and his equipment might not just be for him. An Jaehyun is a perfect example of this; he switched back to W968 after some poor results with his own blade from Xiom

But like I said before everyone is different, the kid is still 18, and who knows, one day he may suddenly crack the code for K3 like the Lebruns

 

[ThePongCommenter]

I can agree to the fact that he should probably already be used to it as K3 is considered one of the most similar 09C alternatives, but yes I think the reasons for his slump is his confidence and his equipment might not just be for him. An Jaehyun is a perfect example of this; he switched back to W968 after some poor results with his own blade from Xiom

Yeah Xiom tried their best to recreate the 968 and he clearly just didn't like it. I believe he terminated and signed with GEWO and is still using a 968 lol.

But like I said before everyone is different, the kid is still 18, and who knows, one day he may suddenly crack the code for K3 like the Lebruns

Not really a code to crack...the Lebruns just were able to seamlessly adapt and it may have even suited them better, though it was really more of a lucky stroke of timing for Tibhar.

 

[banbekas]

No, not everyone does this. OJS didn't do it much before from what I had noticed but he is doing it frequently in the past 3 months. Most notable against Redzimski 0-3 in Doha. When someone who is a very safe player is suddenly losing very winnable matches mostly off of unforced errors, it makes you wonder.

Well, spring sponge is just built different. It's interesting that he finds K3 Pro is lacking or feeling different after signing a contract. He has no choice but to accept it as it is.

 

[joshmak10]

Yeah Xiom tried their best to recreate the 968 and he clearly just didn't like it. I believe he terminated and signed with GEWO and is still using a 968 lol.

Yeah he signed with GEWO and not even using any Gewo product except for edge tape 🤣

Not really a code to crack...the Lebruns just were able to seamlessly adapt and it may have even suited them better, though it was really more of a lucky stroke of timing for Tibhar.

This is kinda what I meant lol but yeah either OJS adapts or he just doesn’t like it and does an AJH 🤣

 

[driversbeat]

Hirano out. Can't say I'm surprised at this point.

 

[zeio]

WS Grp3 M6
Hirano 2-3 KNY (-10, 10, -7, 10, -5)
Hirano needs a real break. Never found her groove against WYD (despite having the early lead) and KNY. Similar situation for Miwa. What's going on over at Kinoshita?

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

KNY able to contain or withstand Hirano's barrage of speedy attacks and impose her own spin game. S. Korea has figured out how they want to play Hirano. Her last 4 results against S. Korea:

2025 Asian Cup KNY 3 - 2 Hirano
2024 Asian Champs Lee Eunhye 3 - 0 Hirano
2024 China Smash KNY 3 - 2 Hirano
2024 Olympics SYB 4 - 3 Hirano

Prior to those 4, Hirano has done very well against S. Korean players.

 

[banbekas]

Exactly. Why would I Iook on my racket? If I am loosing its for sure not racket fault

Xu Xin did, Ma Long did, Wang Chuqin did.

In my opinion, when you've been training and a ball that usually lands suddenly flies off or goes into the net, the only thing you can do is look at your blade. Once or twice going long or into the net could be attributed to yourself, but repeatedly?

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Yep. For those who want to remember how bad ir can get, there is a reason that Dima ultimately left Donic and Freitas left Tibhar - they juat couldn't play without Butterfly stuff and it wasn't reflecting well on the brands. While ESN has closed the gap, people who have gotten very used to Spring sponge don't always change seamlessly.

same applies for DHS on the forehand.
nothing is comparable (despite EJs on TTD giving dozens of alternatives on a regular basis).

Due to DHS on fh, lots of my players opt for smaller brands that allows it.
There are even some brands like Mizuno that are okay with you using other brands blade/rubbers. I actually like that, as the kit + shoes both on and off the court are much better than most table tennis brands, but the money is also a bit smaller, since table tennis is a small part of their business.