Nanping Going Through A "Devil Training"

The Chinese National Team undergoes the most exhausting training method. They are guided by the ruthless coach – Liu Guoliang who stares at you in a 12 hour training everyday. And in addition, Liu Guoliang ensures that no one is allowed to be lazy!

Yesterday, their training included an internal match between the top 8 players – Wang Hao, Ma Lin, Wang Liqin, Zhang Jike, Xu Xin, Ma Long, Chen Qi and Hao Shuai, against the non essential players. The purpose of the match is to test their technical skills and how to overcome the determination of their opponents. The results of the match showed only three out of the eight players overcame the challenge and proved their skills. Wang Hao defeated Li Ping, Wang Liqin won against Qiu Yike, and Xu Xin defeated Zhang Chao. The other five players stumbled and would only have to endure with the penalty.

Among the players who have to pay the fine as penalty for losing in the internal match is the world’s third, Zhang Jike, who happened to follow just behind the former world’s number one, Timo Boll. Zhang Jike expressed his lamentations: “This training is a bit expensive.” Sources told the reporters that in order to stimulate enthusiasm from the players, coach Liu Guoliang imposed a penalty involving money for the losing player. As a punishment, the player will not only lose the game, but also lose money.

Recently in the Chinese version of twitter, Weibo, the players have been exchanging messages and shared their lamentations on how hard their training is. Few nights ago, Zhang Jike posted a breaking news on Weibo: “Special forces training is about to begin!” Later, Zhang Jike’s friend, Xu Xin followed the post with: “The devil mode is about to begin! I need to come out alive!” These posts caught a lot of attention from their fans and even the Women’s Team in Chengdu. Liu Shiwen laughingly asked, “Ha, crazy! How’s the training method?” Xu Xin replied, “Training starts at seven in the morning!”

Many Weibo users have shown their concerns for their idols. Some showed their disapproval of the harsh training of the players, while some took the side of Coach Liu Guoliang and supported his difficult but effective style of training. The supporters of Liu Guoliang pointed out that the hardships the players are going through would be beneficial in the nearing tournaments for them, especially in dealing against exhaustion and jet lag.

Indeed, coach Liu Guoliang is hell serious with his job. He does have a unique way of training and taking the best out of his team, and he surely knows what he is doing, right? So tabletennistas, do you agree on the method of Liu Guoliang? Do you believe that his kind of training will bring out the best of the players or will the team just get worn out from exhaustion?    


Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/qlin/2311892817/