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Latest interview between Table Tennis World and LJK.
https://weibo.com/6612632265/RcnXjylVH
Eye-Catching World - G
26-8-8 06:01
Published in Heilongjiang
From vivo Y300i
Interview with Liang Jingkun in the August issue of Table Tennis World 🎤: Don't hide from the present (Part 2): London gave me back my confidence and allowed me to look back at my long-held goal and ideal—to participate in the Olympics.
Taking responsibility and internalizing the fear of "not daring to go"
The knockout stage began, and Wang Chuqin, Liang Jingkun, and Lin Shidong all defeated Australia 3-0 to advance to the round of 16, raising hopes that the Chinese team's momentum would pick up. However, in the round of 16 against Romania, Liang Jingkun lost the first set 0-3 to Eduard Ionescu, a blow to his resolve the day before that he had vowed "not to lose again." Even more serious was the fact that the match was completely different from what he had prepared for; despite feeling comfortable with his opponent's shots, he had to admit he was technically outmatched. "Am I really that technically backward now?" After the match, Liang Jingkun fell into self-doubt again.
In an interview after returning to China, Liang Jingkun mentioned that Ma Long encouraged him by saying he should "set an example for his son" after the match. Furthermore, after discussions within the team, he reverted to his more familiar playing style. However, at that moment, a thought lingered in Liang Jingkun's mind: "I'm a little hesitant to play; maybe I shouldn't play in the later matches..."
Ping Pong World: Did you manage to process the thought of "I don't dare to play anymore" on your own?
Liang Jingkun: On the day without a match, I was constantly struggling internally, worried about losing again, but I couldn't say anything that would demoralize the team. At that moment, I remembered what Coach Wang Hao said after the World Cup, when I was feeling lost: "Don't hide." Those words encouraged me. I had to move forward. Wins and losses are earned through my own efforts. When the team needs me, I can't hide; I have to go on the court and shoulder that responsibility. The next match is the quarterfinals against South Korea. When the coaching staff asked me if I wanted to play number two or three, I answered that I could play either.
Table Tennis World: In the quarterfinals, the Chinese team defeated the South Korean team 3-0, and you also defeated Ahn Jae-hyun 3-0 in the third match. After this match, did the feeling of self-doubt disappear?
Liang Jingkun: I played in the third match, when the Chinese team was already leading 2-0. I had a mental advantage when I played at that point. I felt that my overall condition was good on the court, and I was able to keep up technically. After this match, I regained some confidence, and the thought of not daring to play completely disappeared.
Its momentum is rising step by step.
After defeating South Korea to advance to the semifinals, Liang Jingkun gave an on-site interview. He changed his usual concise style and said with emotion, "Our team has a very strong sense of cohesion, and this cohesion ignites our fighting spirit." After defeating France in the semifinals, Liang Jingkun once again expressed his feelings in an on-site interview, saying, "Every hurdle is difficult, but we overcome them all."
Table Tennis World: In the quarterfinals, you not only played your best, but your answers in the post-match interview were also impressive. "Teamwork ignites fighting spirit." What experience made you feel this way?
Liang Jingkun: After losing to South Korea in the group stage, I blocked out all outside noise. Like I said before, I uninstalled all the software I could. At that time, the coaches, sparring partners, support staff, and even Brother Long (Ma Long) and Brother Xin (Xu Xin) all trained with us. Brother Long and Brother Xin came during the closed training period and then traveled all the way to London to share a lot of experience with us. When we chatted together, I could see from their expressions that they were sharing with us without reservation. So my biggest feeling is that everyone around us wants us to win. Everyone is really working hard. When I look into their eyes, I can feel their expectations for us and their hope that we will play well. It is this feeling of unity that made me say in the post-match interview that cohesion ignited our fighting spirit.
Table Tennis World: Indeed, at the time, the national team's coaches, sparring partners, and support staff all sat on the sidelines and in the first row of the stands to cheer you on, which was very impressive.
Liang Jingkun: Yes, I mentioned it during the meeting, asking everyone if they could sit a little further forward so they could hear the cheers, see their expressions at every point, and interact with them. This continued in every game afterwards; the team's cohesion was incredibly strong, and these qualities ultimately became our fighting spirit.
Ping Pong World: After defeating the French team in the semi-finals, where did the inspiration for the answer "every hurdle is difficult, but every hurdle is overcome" come from?
Liang Jingkun: On one hand, reaching the finals felt like overcoming a series of hurdles. We fought hard in every knockout match, gradually turning around the morale that had dipped in the group stage and climbing higher step by step. On the other hand, it was also about overcoming obstacles myself, going from self-doubt to playing with confidence in each match. Just look at the match against France; my third game was incredibly difficult. I lost the first two games quickly, and I felt completely lost, even ashamed of my performance. Later, Coach Wang Hao inspired me, and after winning the third game, I felt I had a chance to win. In that match, I saved many unexpected shots, and between each game, I kept telling myself not to give up. I trained so hard every day, I was determined to win. After actually winning, my morale soared, and I was so glad I had overcome another hurdle.
Singing triumphantly, victory brings confidence to continue moving forward.
The night before the men's team final, Liang Jingkun replied to Coach Liu Zhiqiang, saying he wanted to watch the technical videos of Tomokazu Harimoto and Hayato Togami the next day. He then remained in a state of heightened excitement, turning off his phone early as usual and struggling to fall asleep. "I didn't dare think about the final; thinking about it would make it even harder to sleep. But my brain kept thinking about the match, whether I would play second or third singles. I felt both confident and worried. Then I remembered Coach Wang Hao's words: 'Don't hide, face it.'"
Indeed, no matter what position I play, I have to get points, so thinking about it that way, there's nothing to worry about. Liang Jingkun didn't fall asleep until three or four in the morning that day, and he got up at seven or eight, but he was very energetic. After watching the game video, Liang Jingkun, as usual, sat in his room and listened to "I Love You, China" a few times before packing his bag and heading to the competition venue.
Table Tennis World: Let's review the final of the London World Table Tennis Championships.
Liang Jingkun: This was my first time playing in the final of such a big tournament. I couldn't get the rhythm right in the first two games; I was too anxious, and my technique wasn't quite right either. Later, I slowed down and won the third game. In the fourth game, Zhang Ben had a game point, and I was down 9-10. I then rallied to win two points. The point I lost between 11-10 and 11-11 was something I had already planned out. Although I didn't win it, I had a strategy in mind. After winning the fourth game, we were back on equal footing. In the fifth game, when I was down 3-8, I played more freely and was able to create some difficult situations for him. On the court, I was constantly thinking about where to hit each ball and how to generate spin. Gradually, my technique became more consistent, and my mentality improved. When I tied the score at 8-8 in the deciding game, I had only one thought in my mind—he can't beat me!
Table Tennis World: What did you do on the night the Chinese team won the World Table Tennis Championships in London?
Liang Jingkun: That night, Xiang Peng and I's room became a gathering place for everyone. Almost all the coaches, teammates and support staff came to our room. We squeezed together and sang "I Love You, China" loudly, a song I had been listening to for several days.
Table Tennis World: What changes has this World Table Tennis Championships team brought to you?
Liang Jingkun: Looking back at the Doha World Table Tennis Championships a year ago, my loss to Hugo Calderano in the semifinals was a huge blow to my confidence. On one hand, I was really outmatched in the deciding game, which was very disheartening; on the other hand, my goal before the tournament was to reach the finals, as I had achieved third place three times before, and I wanted to break through that barrier in Doha. Therefore, after losing that semifinal, I felt lost, lacking both morale and confidence. Even after winning the men's team final at the Asian Championships against Japan, I couldn't shake off that feeling. The London World Table Tennis Championships, especially my performance in the semifinals and finals, helped me regain my confidence and allowed me to look back at my long-held goal and ideal—to participate in the Olympics. Of course, there's still some time before the Los Angeles Olympics, and whether I can compete for a spot depends on my future efforts and results. But at least the experience and growth I gained at the London World Championships have laid a solid foundation for me and boosted my morale to face the challenges ahead.
