Final Up to date on January 25, 2025 by Sorin Petroj
How the Chinese language individuals strategy the sport makes the highest golf equipment on the Chinese language Desk Tennis Tremendous League (CTTSL) so good. How has the sport progressed over time and made its option to individuals’s hearts and minds?
Earlier than diving into the golf equipment, a small journey down the reminiscence lane shall reply that query. When the Individuals’s Republic of China emerged on the worldwide map in 1949, sport was seen as a distinguished and influential means to make a reputation for the nation.
Whereas conventional Chinese language sports activities and martial arts gained recognition with the brand new blood, desk tennis occupied a vital slot.
Historical past
With authorities backing and public curiosity, desk tennis shortly grew to become a well-liked exercise among the many youth and others alike.
Whether or not nationwide competitions or native video games, desk tennis or “ping-pong” grew to become a device of delight and unity. In 1971, it entered China’s overseas coverage with the well-known Ping-Pong Diplomacy.
Regulation
The game’s early rising recognition demanded correct structuring to show the nation’s uncooked expertise into nationwide and worldwide athletes.
Furthermore, the help that got here from the highest noticed the institution of the China Desk Tennis Affiliation (CTTA). This grew to become a sensible step to mobilize native expertise and pave the best way for Chinese language desk tennis athletes on the worldwide stage.
Supply Credit score: China.org.cn
Members of the Chinese language delegation cheer in the course of the males’s crew gold medal match of desk tennis on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris, France, on Aug. 9, 2024. [Photo by Wang Dongzhen/Xinhua]
CTTA now represents the nation internationally, with seats within the Worldwide Desk Tennis Federation and Asian Desk Tennis Union, whereas representing desk tennis on the All-China Sports activities Federation.
The Chinese language Desk Tennis Tremendous League (CTTSL)
After mobilizing the expertise, CTTA wanted to make sure that the gamers had a aggressive and fashionable platform to showcase their efficiency.
The Chinese language Desk Tennis Tremendous League (CTTSL) proved to be the reply to their query, changing into the premier desk tennis event on a nationwide degree.
Since its basis in 1996, CTTSL has been essential in shaping China’s nationwide desk tennis scene.
By bringing in expertise from the highest desk tennis golf equipment and providing thrilling contests between gamers from everywhere in the nation, CTTSL has formed how Chinese language athletes can genuinely degree up within the twenty-first century.
Schedule
The CTTSL begins on the finish of the calendar yr and is often accomplished earlier than the brand new yr begins.
Nonetheless, the same old schedule kicks off within the first two weeks of December, with intense motion persevering with all through the center of the month and concluding by the tip of the month.
Supply Credit score: China.org.cn
Gold medalists of Staff China have a good time in the course of the award ceremony on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. [Photo by Liu Xu/Xinhua]
In keeping with ITTF, The 2020 season, as an example, began on 21 December and concluded by 29 December.
The video games proceed all through the week, however they’re quick and intense. This creates an setting of competitiveness among the many Chinese language and worldwide athletes.
Format
The event consists of six groups, together with female and male athletes. This permits for blended groups and strengthens gender equality.
CTTSL has separate divisions for women and men, every comprising 9 groups. The 2 levels throughout each divisions are:
Stage 1: Spherical Robin Stage
The primary stage begins in an open pool, the place the groups compete round-robin to build up factors for his or her rankings. This additionally implies that every crew performs all others not less than as soon as within the event.
Stage 2: Knockout Stage
Subsequent, the highest 4 groups from the Spherical Robin stage make it to the knockout stage. Right here, the stakes are greater, and the league champion shall be decided.
Supply Credit score: China.org.cn
Wang Chuqin, Ma Lengthy and Fan Zhendong (from L to R) of China pose for images after the award ceremony of the boys’s desk tennis crew occasion on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris, France, on Aug. 9, 2024. [Photo by Liu Xu/Xinhua]
This format consists of semi-finals and a remaining. First, the 4 qualifying groups face off to seek out the 2 finalists. The winners then face off within the remaining, and the winner lifts the trophy.
Stage 3: Doubles Format
Just lately, a doubles format was launched to the event, which requires every crew to appoint two gamers for every spherical. This provides an additional layer of pleasure whereas specializing in coordination and crew spirit.
Choice
Groups are picked primarily based on a draft, the place every crew requires one overseas and 5 Chinese language gamers. The order of choice is set by lottery, after which every crew will get an opportunity to choose their desired gamers.
Prime Golf equipment
Professionalism, approach, and athleticism are undoubtedly the spine of CTTSL, and the credit score goes to the highest golf equipment that preserve these excessive requirements.
Supply Credit score: https://right this moment.line.me/hk/v2/article/gznBa3a
Fan Zhendong of China serves in the course of the males’s singles quarterfinal in opposition to Alexis Lebrun of France on the WTT Champions Macao 2023 in Macao, south China, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)
A number of golf equipment have risen to prominence and contributed to the recognition and enchantment of the event.
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Shandong Weiqiao Pioneers
With 4 CTTSL titles beneath their belts, the Shandong Weiqiao pioneers are among the many most profitable groups within the event. The membership has regularly made it to the highest, and occupied the information
Its concentrate on constant, intensive coaching and technical ability improvement has made it dwelling to notable athletes like Xu Xin, Fang Bo, and Zhou Yu.
Rising to prominence by including a contact of military-style coaching, Bayi Gongshang has three titles within the trophy cupboard.
Specializing in youthful expertise and emphasizing psychological and bodily resilience, the membership has produced Olympic champions like Deng Yaping and Zhang Yining.
Shenzen Jingwen is understood for its aggressive and attacking strategy to the game.
The membership additionally stands aside with a stronghold of variety, having Chinese language, Japanese, and Korean gamers on the roster. Shenzhen Jingwen is a distinguished identify with two CTTSL titles.
Hailing from Tianjin in northern China, Tianjin Quanjian boasts one CTTSL title and stands aside as a formidable drive within the desk tennis world. Olympic legend Ma Lengthy is the membership’s primary star.
Within the Shanghai area, the membership emphasizes particular person efficiency and crew coordination. With one CTTSL title, the membership is understood for its combination of younger blood and seasoned veterans on the competing desk.
Recognized for its endurance, agility, and strategy-focused mindset to the sport, Ningbo Haitian is a drive to reckon with. With a number of titles and dominant performances within the CTTSL, this membership is understood to offer its opponents a tough time.
Rising to prominence within the 2010s, Lexuan Sports activities Group is the brand new child on the block. He’s slightly proficient and bold and is understood to be up-to-date with the newest coaching strategies of worldwide requirements.
Lexuan Sports activities Group has been a fierce contender in current CTTSL appearances. It has produced notable athletes like Truls Möregardh and Zhou Yu. The cameras keep centered on the new child, because it continuously makes it to Desk Tennis Media.
The Ultimate Phrase
At a look, the sport of desk tennis runs within the veins of the Chinese language individuals. Not solely do they like to play it, however additionally they watch, admire, and fill the stadiums.
The media brings the cameras and other people’s consideration to the sport, the golf equipment carry within the expertise, and the gamers add the essential parts of dedication and sheer tenacity, because the environment overflows with sportsmanship and competitiveness. As Longhua Authorities On-line notes, high golf equipment carry the best expertise, who then carry out to their fullest to entertain the gang, particularly the 2023 season.
Chinese language individuals have undoubtedly produced excellent athletes, who proceed to push limits and redefine excellence on the desk.
