Ma Long interviews, matches and beyond

Videos of the first Friendship Cup table tennis competition for Chinese and foreign diplomats on Sep 29.
How is the level of this amateur player, China's former vice-minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
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Fans catching Ma Long for photos
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On Oct 6 (Saturday) moring, training routine



On Oct 6 afternoon, Ma Long, Ding Ning and Lin Gaoyuan visited LiNing's new pop-up store in Beijing. They tried on LiNing new apparel from Paris Fashion Week show.
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Ma Long said he picked several outfits. The new design of LiNing apparel is more appealing to young generation. Since he likes the new design, he is also young.








They also played the claw machine in the store although no one successfully caught a shoe lol

On Oct 8, Shandong Luneng held a press conference in Jinan for the new season of China Super League. The club is sponsored by Shandong High-Tech Investment Corp, and named as Shandong Luneng - Weifang High-Tech, with Jinan and Weifang as home cities. The club manager Sun Hua sent Ma Long new club jersey.

The line-up of men's team is:
Coach, Guo Keli; players, Ma Long, Yan An, Shang Kun, Zhang Chao, Cui Qinglei and Xu Yingbin.


Ma Long answered media's questions.
Q: How do you comment on the saying "Whichever Super League team with Ma Long rules"?
Ma Long: I am grateful that people think highly of me. One has to be levelheaded to such compliment. I will just do my job, focusing on training and tournaments, be down-to-earth.
Q: Recently your form somewhat declined, do you have confidence to lead Shandong Luneng to the champion?
Ma Long: It is normal that a player has ups and downs in his career. Daily training and tournaments will help one to regain great form. I hope I can work together with my team to achieve a satisfactory result this season. There is a saying "Do not judge a hero by victory or defeat", however, a hero aims to be best.
Q: Can you talk about your preparations for the new season?
Ma Long: After China National Championships, I started preparations before I knew which club I will play for. I am happy to join Shandong Luneng - Weifang High-Tech. It has been a strong club in table tennis and soccer for many years. I hope to bring something new to the club.
Q: How do you feel about the new team members, get familiar with them?
Ma Long: I feel great and we are familiar with each other in National Team and we are good friends.


New jersey

Group dinner on Oct 7

On Oct 10, Shandong Luneng beat Shanghai by 3-1 in the first round of Super League. Ma Long did not play due to a neck injury.
In the first set, Zhang Chao beat Xu Xin by 3-0 (11:4, 11:7, 12:10). In the second set, Yan An beat Cheng Jingqi by 3-0 (11:6, 11:7, 11:7). In the third set of doubles, Zhang Chao / Shang Kun lost to Cheng Jingqi / Zhao Zihao by 1-2 (11:7, 8:11, 4:7). In the fourth set, Yan An defeated Xu Xin by 3-0 (16:14, 11:7, 11:6).
Ma Long experienced neck problem during training and had to wear muscle tapes. The coach decided not to let him play the first round to prevent the situation from worsening. Ma Long updated his Sina Weibo after the match, "I feel pity that I did not play in the opening round due to the neck problem. Thanks my teammates for trying their best to win and thanks all the fans in the stadium for rooting for all of us. I hope I can recover soon and come back to the court."
Next round, Shandong Luneng will face Shenzhen on Oct 13 in Shenzhen.

On Oct 13 in Shenzhen, Shandong Luneng beat Shenzhen by 3-1 and Ma Long scored twice.
In the first set, Shang Kun beat Xu Chenhao by 3-2 (13:11, 9:11, 3:11, 12:10, 7:3). In the second set, Ma Long beat Zhou Yu by 3-2 with a full stretch (11:9, 10:12, 11:4, 17:19, 8:6). Ma Long did not capitalize four setpoints in the fourth game and after the long tight fourth and fifth games, the tension was finally relieved. In the third set of doubles, Yan An / Shang Kun lost to Hao Shuai / Zheng Peifeng by 0-2 (9:11, 6:11). Without much rest, Ma Long played the fourth set and defeat Xu Chenhao by 3-1 (11:4, 8:11, 11:3, 11:6).
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Next round Shandong Luneng will visit Yanjiao to face Bazhou on Oct 17.

On Oct 17, Shandong Luneng beat Bazhou by 3-0 in Yanjiao.
In the first set, Ma Long beat Yu Heyi by 3-0 (11:7, 11:6, 11:5). In the second set, Yan An beat Niu Guankai by 3-1 (8:11, 13:11, 11:5, 11:3). In the third set of doubles, Shang Kun / Zhang Chao beat Yu Heyi / Cao Wei by 2-0 (11:7, 11:5).
After the match, a video of birthday wishes from friends and fans made by our fans club was played in the stadium and fans sang birthday song to Ma Long.
Next round Shandong Luneng will face PLA on Nov 14 in Weifang after a short break for World Tour events.

10.20, 30! Happy 30th birthday to Ma Long!

This is the LONG list of champions. MAKing History



A sand drawing video as one of our birthday gifts to Ma Long
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We also made a video of wishes from friends and fans to celebrate Ma Long's 30th birthday, including Adam Bobrow, CCTV and ZhiboTV journalists, kids from schools receiving donation from Ma Long fans, Brazil’s little MaLong. The video was played after Super League match on Oct 17 as well and Ma Long received our best wishes.
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Players at 2018 Men's World Cup also sent their wishes.
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How did Ma Long spend his 30th birthday?
As usual, he had a half day physical training








When back home, he shared a photo with his son and continued his birthday charity. He said on Sina Weibo, "I am entering 30 club. You (his son) should spend today playing with me. I've expreienced a lot and learnt a lot in the past year. Time gives me chance to meet the better you and the better myself. Be grateful and be philanthropic. Let's keep going. Remember initial goals and send out love."

In Nov 2018's ITTF World Ranking, Ma Long is ranked No. 11. This is the first time since Mar 2007 that he drops out of top 10 ranking. CTTA also announced the internal ranking for the third quarter of 2018. Ma Long is ranked No. 2. CTTA penalty policy for losing in World Tour will be adjusted in the future.


On Nov 1, Ma Long pulled off 2018 Swedish Open, both doubles and singles. He updated his Sina Weibo and posted a photo of taking cortisone injection on his left knee. He said, "I want to apologize to fans who stay late to watch my game. I felt pain in my knee during Super League. Before I came to Sweden, I got a cortisone injection in hospital. But it was not recovered. I will try my best for rehibilation and come back to the court as soon as possible. I have never feared an opponent. This time I won't give in to injury. It is the way every soldier will go through, get recharged and keep fighting."


According to ITTF, his injury withdrawal at Swedish Open still enabled him to meet requirements of participating in a minimum of five World Tour events to qualify for men's singles at Grand Finals. He and Xu Xin pairing is also qualified for men's doubles at Grand Finals.


So far he has not pulled off Austrian Open yet, which means he and Lin Gaoyuan pairing will need to play qualification at men's doubles on Nov 7.

Rarely seen video of Ma Long assembling a pistol
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Ma Long, Ma Lin and Wang Nan will be on a talk/cooking show on Zhejiang TV next Sunday (Nov 11). The show was filmed in Sep.
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Due to knee injury, Ma Long withdrew Austrian Open. This week, China Super League resumed, Ma Long did not play either.On Nov 14, Shandong Luneng lost to PLA by 1-3 in Weifang. The results were Yan An 2-3 Zhou Kai (12:14, 12:10, 11:4, 13:15, 5:7); Shang Kun 0-3 Zhao Zhaoyan (5:11, 7:11, 9:11); Zhang Chao /Yan An 2-0 Fan Zhendong / Zhao Zhaoyan (11:5, 11:9); Shang Kun 1-3 Zhou Kai (11:5, 9:11, 8:11, 8:11).
On Nov 17, Shandong Luneng beat Jiangsu by 3-2 in Jinan. The results were Yan An 3-1 Yang Shuo (8:11, 11:4, 11:5, 11:4); Xu Yingbin 0-3 Sun Wen (7:11, 4:11, 8:11); Zhang Chao / Shang Kun 2-1 Zhang Yudong / Lin Chen (6:11, 11:7, 7:4); Yan An 1-3 Sun Wen (5:11, 6:11, 11:4, 10:12); Zhang Chao 2-0 Kong Lingxuan (11:9, 11:3).

Ma Long back in action! On Nov 20, Shandong Luneng beat Anhui by 3-0 in the 6th round of China Super League.
The results were Yan An 3-0 Yu Ziyang (11:7, 11:7, 11:7); Ma Long 3-0 Zhou Qihao (11:5, 11:5, 11:4); Zhang Chao / Shang Kun 2-0 Zhu Cheng / Zhou Qihao (11:6, 11:3).
Sweet ending with hand switch shot.
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On Nov 24, Ma Long scored twice and led Shandong Luneng beating Tianjin Quanjian by 3-2 in Tianjin.
The results were Yan An 0-3 Lin Gaoyuan (7:11, 10:12, 5:11); Ma Long 3-0 Fang Bo (13:11, 11:8, 11:8); Zhang Chao /Shang Kun 0-2 Fang Bo / Zhu Linfeng (4:11, 9:11); Ma Long 3-1 Lin Gaoyuan (12:14, 11:6, 11:2, 14:12); Shang Kun 2-1 Ren Hao (9:11, 118, 7:5).
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On Nov 28, Shandong Luneng beat Shandong Weiqiao by 3-0. The results were Ma Long 3-0 Xia Yizheng (11:3, 11:3, 11:2); Yan An 3-0 Xue Fei (14:12, 11:7, 11:6). Shandong Weiqiao gave up doubles.
China Super League will resume on Dec 19 after ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.


On Dec 1, CTTA held an election meeting. Liu Guoliang becomes the president of CTTA; Secretary general: Qin Zhijian; Vice presidents: Wang Liqin, Zhang Lei, Liu Yi, Gao Yaxiang and Li Yibing.
Ma Long attended the meeting and posted on his Sina Weibo, "From now on, we need to call him President Liu. Now matter Coach Liu or President Liu he is, we have only one goal: fight for the national flag on our chest. Go, Tokyo Olympic Games!"

Due to injury, Ma Long withdrew 2018 Grand Finals. 14 players of China National Team entered the entries list of 2019 Hungarian Open men's singles, again Ma Long not included. Wish him a speedy recovery!


As ITTF has changed its World Ranking Regulations again, Ma Long's ranking will return within top 10 in 2019 despite of his recent inactivity.