Liam Pitchford distressingly thin

[M51]

I was browsing through some YouTube videos and came across his match against Paul Drinkhall in the English Nationals final, and I really don't wish to be mean here, but Pitchford's appearance stunned me a bit, and not in a good way. Skinny is one thing, but he looks almost malnourished. It really isn't that common for a professional athlete to look like that, is it? Shouldn't an athlete at his level have some kind of a nutrition plan?

 

[Der_Echte]

Ryu seung min or his TT Club posted a FB pic of his Bundesliga squad with RSM and another with their shirts off. Looks like RSM gained a couple kilos while the younger ones look really healthy. Didn't notice Pitchford lookng like he was anorexic, just very slim and fit...

 

[Der_Echte]

After looking at the FB pic (from Apolonia's FB), RSM is looking the same and Pitchford looks like he gained some muscle... maybe a few KGs of solid beef.

 

[Dan]

After looking at the FB pic (from Apolonia's FB), RSM is looking the same and Pitchford looks like he gained some muscle... maybe a few KGs of solid beef.

Could you attached that pic for me please I cannot find it

 

[Der_Echte]

OK, here you go...

 

[Markvee]

If I'm not mistaken, it's Skachkov standing there with his shirt off. Pitchford is on the left with his shirt on. Very international squad!

Anyway, some people have lean but strong muscles, and as a 19 year old, Pitchford has yet to fill out his frame. I think his bone build is just slender as well. Yes he's on the thin side, but I'm sure Ochsenhausen would make sure he's well nourished.

 

[Der_Echte]

Ja, Pitchford is on left, but is very evident he is not straving. He is packing moar beef that you think and I disagree. Pitchford can easily add a LOT moar beef to that frame with time if he wanted to be wrestler or contruction worker.

 

[YosuaYosan]

Hmm beef..

 

[Der_Echte]

... and why are good-looking women wearing practically nothing... why do we use teh term "Cheesecake" for that ???!!!

 

[Markvee]

Ja, Pitchford is on left, but is very evident he is not straving. He is packing moar beef that you think and I disagree. Pitchford can easily add a LOT moar beef to that frame with time if he wanted to be wrestler or contruction worker.

Yes, my post was actually in agreement with you .

Anyway one could also look at Maharu Yoshimura who is quite skinny but still has a very powerful forehand.

 

[VenusCarboKev]

whoa i never noticed how skinny yoshimura is! look at his left arm!

 

[Looper]

he is pretty skinny to be fair but then i saw some quite big people and no one raises issues about them so it cant really matter as long as you can move and hit well

 

[WiWa]

No one cares about karas size

 

[YosuaYosan]

No one cares about karas size

Kara just need his arm to play

 

[thepongcast]

I have a similar build to Liam. I could never gain weight until this past year, which is a shock for myself.

 

[sebas-aguirre]

being skinny is an advantage in tt, allows you to move faster and spending less energy.
you don't really need much muscular power considering the weight of the ball.

 

[Der_Echte]

I dunno, you need some seriously explosive legs and waist, just about every TT athlete I see has well developed thighs no matter what the rest of their body composition is like. Power is the ability to perform a lot of work in a short time, but I agree with the thrust of that arguement that you do not need massive muscles all over your be to be powerful, explosive, and devastating. The upper legs and torso are two great areas to have a little extra mass. You really don't need XXL sized muscles for the muscles to be flexible, sudden, and capable of power. Yes, we hit a little plastic ball instead of throwing a shot put.

 

[sebas-aguirre]

for tt the upper body doesn't need to be too exercised. I think the natural strength you develop by hitting the ball and a basic weight routine is enough. legs and mid section (abs, lower back) need a bit more conditioning. but they get this conditioning with running, jumping, lateral movement exercises, etc. look at marathon runners for example, many of them look like they are starving....

 

[Vega]

Saw Pitchford at yesterdays game in Düsseldorf and have to admit that he looks really skinny. It's not just thin but looks nearly unhealthy to me, it would for sure be good for him to gain a bit..
But apart from that he played really good yesterday Won 3:0 against Baum and showed a good against Boll as well. He has some really nice smooth and fluid strokes and a great backhand. And his wrist action seems to be above average.. But if he wants to improve further he has to work on his athletic.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

Oh, gosh. It is hard to say without seeing him in person and actually knowing him for a year or so, so that you can tell if he has really lost a dramatic amount of weight and/or looks unhealthy or if it is just him. We all weigh different amounts at different times of day. After 3 or 4 hours of matches you might actually be 3-8 pounds lighter depending on if you lost a lot of water and burned a lot of calories and did not replenish during the tournament. But that would just mean you need to drink and eat after the tournament. I know many athletes try to replenish during a tournament between events, but you cannot always do it fully. So, without really knowing him, it is hard to say if it is normal for him or if he has lost too much weight for real, or if he has even lost any weight. Pictures, or seeing someone from far away do not tell the whole story.