Ding Ning Achieved Her Lifetime Dream In The 2011 Wttc!

Last year was bitter for Ding especially after the devastating Moscow championships where she was shattered emotionally. However, this year proves to be the exact opposite and looks really promising.

“I will always remember the loss in Moscow,” Ding Ning confessed. “Losing, in itself, is not terrible. What is more critical is if you will be able to overcome the pain. Besides, losing is an inevitable thing for athletes. You just need to use the pain to challenge yourself to do better next time.”

This year, Ding Ning started off very well – beating the cause of Moscow’s tragedy, Feng Tianwei and finally winning the title against Li Xiaoxia, who eliminated her in 2009 WTTC Yokohama's fourth round.

For her, the Ahoy Arena is like Disneyland where dreams come true. “I have been waiting for this for a very long time. Ever since I was a child, I was dreaming about a world title and an Olympic title. This is my lifetime dream,” Ding Ning said.

“Now that I already achieved the world title, I hope that the momentum I got in the championship will help me increase my level of performance in the sport.” Ding Ning added.

After the victory, Ding Ning is now considered to be a leader material for the Chinese Nuping just like Wang Nan and Zhang Yining. However, she hesitates with the title: “Although I may have the competencies and the potential, I still lack control.”
 
With regards to next year’s Olympics, Ding Ning humbly expressed her vulnerability for the qualifications: “I don’t think that the world championships will automatically allow me to participate in the Olympics. After all, there are differences between the world championships and the Olympics.” However she acknowledged that her recent victory in the 2011 WTTC will add more weight to her qualification for the London Olympics.

Ding Ning started this year very silent. Since she was directly qualified to participate in the championship, Ding Ning didn't have to go through the WTTC Trials in China. However, such silence was deadly.

Ding Ning surprisingly presented herself in the 2011 WTTC in an extremely good playing condition in all her matches. She displayed superb technical skills which included quick and accurate attacks, and a high level of stability, not to mention her self confidence. Considering these, Ding Ning can surely reach unexpected heights in her career.

恭喜丁宁！Congratulations Ding Ning!


Photo source: www2.chinadaily.com.cn/