Liu Guoliang's Coaching Career Will End In 2020 (Video)

Liu Guoliang started coaching the Chinese Table Tennis Team in 2002 and since then, although there have been challenges along the way, Liu Guoliang has maintained or even raised the level of the Chinese table tennis. 

Table Tennis players can be considered as celebrities in their own way especially in China. The reigning world champion Zhang Jike is one example. However, as we all know, Zhang Jike admires Cristiano Ronaldo. Well, have you ever wondered if Liu Guoliang also has an "idol?" 

Just like Zhang Jike, Liu Guoliang also said that he has no real idol. However, he appreciates some. "I have no real idol. I appreciate a lot of elite athletes like Michael Jordan. He was dominant and influential. I do not like basketball but looking at him in the arena makes me admire him even more. As for the Table Tennis players, I like Jan-Ove Waldner. I like his style as he makes Table Tennis as an art." Liu Guoliang answered.  

Before just being in the sidelines of the court, Liu Guoliang was once inside the court in action. He is considered to be a legend in China and the world after he became the second person in the world and the first Chinese who achieved a Grand Slam. Despite such strength, Liu Guoliang was not machine. 

He acknowledged his humility after admitting that Samsonov, Waldner, Kong Linghui and Wang Tao were the hardest players he could be up against.  "At first, Samsonov but later it's Waldner. Among the Chinese Team it was Kong Linghui and Wang Tao. They were the most difficult to play against. I grew up with Kong Linghui so he was well aware of my character. It's difficult to penetrate his game and reaching the end was very hard. It's the same with Wang Tao. He is also my brother. We fight in a team so he was also familiar with me." Liu Guoliang admitted.

Liu Guoliang vs Jan-Ove Waldner 2000 Olympics MS SF
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Liu Guoliang vs Kong Linghui 1995 WTTC MS Finals I
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Liu Guoliang vs Kong Linghui 1995 WTTC MS Finals II
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Liu Guoliang vs Kong Linghui 1995 WTTC MS Finals III
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The transition from being a player to being a coach wasn't that hard for Liu Guoliang despite changes. In addition to the role that he was playing, Liu Guoliang became more mature and considerate to others. However for him, there were two things that remained constant: his pursuit for success and his wife.

Everything in this world has its end. For Liu Guoliang, he might retire from coaching by 2020. "My initial plan to retire is after the 2020 Olympic Games. As for what the future can bring, I still haven't considered it yet." Liu Guoliang answered. It is still a long way to go for Liu Guoliang but can you think of anyone from the team who can replace him and can maintain the pride for the Chinese Team? 

Liu Guoliang is currently in London for his third Olympic expedition as a coach. After their most glorious moment in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Liu Guoliang and his team carry a heavy task of repeating such excellent results. Could Liu Guoliang be once again lucky in London? 

"Every athlete will hope that August would be their lucky month. My marriage, the Olympic golds, and the Grand Slam all happened in the month of August. I hope that August will forever be my luckiest month. It's also the most important." Liu Guoliang concluded.

Photo source: tiantanhotel.com