June 1, 2026: Captain Tou is in the house! Well deserved and long overdue though! š
May 14, 2026: Just got back from London and started catching up on all the interviews, clips, and bts stuff I missed. First up, this short documentary, Chinese Menās Table Tennis Team Heads to the World Championships (with transcripts), was released right before the tournament began. Seeing what this London squad was thinking and going through before it all started still gets me.
May 11, 2026: Congrats Team China, and congrats to our lionheart (youāre not old btw lolllll). š„š Honestly, before the final, who really thought the boys would sweep Team Japan 3-0? And LJK coming back from two sets down and even 3-8 in the fifth again? And who couldāve imagined the Chinese menās team, led by Wang Chuqin, making such a strong statement that toughness, team unity, faith in winningā¦ all that old-school stuff can still beat everything nowadays.
Sitting in the arena felt completely different from watching livestreams. So many moments hit way harder in person. I did cry ā¦a little. š
Canāt wait to get back home tbh. Been in the UK for 23 days already, and the last 10 days were basically just museums + table tennis nonstop. Totally exhausted but still worth it. Jayden flew back to NYC for work during the first week, and now heās sick about missing the WTTC final on-site. š¤£
Btw CNT, are you really still not announcing the current coach assignments? Or are you still not ready to officially call Wang Captain Tou? Lollll
May 9, 2026:
May 3, 2026: If you were there at the seeding matches these past two days,Ā you would likely feel the same exhaustion and frustration as I do. Not because of Wang Chuqin, who remains as resilient and committed as ever, but because of Team China’s overall performance, specifically the CNT players, coaches, and staff.
Lin Shidong and Liang Jingkun seemed to lose their usual sharpness and confidence. They hesitated on almost every shot, kept playing short instead of taking initiative, had messy footwork, and just failed to bring the grit to fight for every point in key moments.
As for the coaches, remember when we talked about their role and the resources they should have? I donāt think they prepared enough for all opponents, especially those outside the top 30. So when Korea and Sweden sent in non-key players, Lin and Liang appeared unsettled and struggled to adapt to unfamiliar playing styles, shot angles, patterns, and serve habits. Their opponents, by contrast, seemed well-prepared and had clearly studied them in detail. This imbalance further contributed to their hesitation and loss of confidence.
A mature player is expected to observe, adjust, and adapt to any situation during a match, but Lin and Liang appeared unable to do so today.
As for the staff, I wonāt say many details, but seriously, why didnāt the CNT team doctor have something as basic as wet wipes on hand? And why wasnāt a medical timeout called when the injury occurred? Iāve long questioned CNTās logistics and support, given that itās the largest table tennis association. And seeing it on site made everything feel real, and it hit me hard.
Iām not a sports fan who only cares about results or titles. What I value most is a playerās style, attitude, and what they genuinely take pride in and bring onto the court. You know who I admire, and you know where my concerns lie.
Not a great day. But Iāll stay for a few more days and see how things unfold for Team China.
Stay healthy and take care, Wang! āš»
April 27, 2026: Been in Edinburgh for 10 days, and the moment that hit me most was seeing this wall text at the National Museum of Scotland: āAs long as a hundred of us remain alive, we will never on any conditions be brought under English rule.ā Aye, Scotland. Braveheart! āš»
April 5, 2026: Congrats! My tough boy!!! š„
April 4, 2026: About why seamless balls can lead to more lucky shots and randomness. It maybe not the main reason the World Cup felt so intense. Players have already spent years adapting to seamless balls and are mostly used to them. Still, that bit of unpredictability is always there.
April 2, 2026: Iām starting a new series, beginning with Wangās 2022. Before Chengdu: The Making of Wang Chuqinās 2022 Turning Point
Mar 17, 2026: Been way too busy and just finally wrapped all the fashion weeks since late Jan, so I havenāt kept up with all the Wang updates. Pretty glad to see heās still improving and growing, and at least he hasnāt been dragged into multiple events that draining his body and mind for a while, right? Anyway, I did some digging into his past WTTC Team matches, so hopefully I can get a draft out on Chengdu 2022 soon (it might get long, Iāll try to trim it lolll).
Feb 13, 2026: Watching the Winter Olympics this week. Feel kinda bad for Ilia Malinin and Jake Pates today, but still keeping faith in US hockey since NHL guys are finally back at the Games. As for table tennis, can you believe CNT still hasnāt announced the new coach assignments? So weird. Anywayā¦ can we get the confirmation before WTTC? Yes CNT, Iāll be watching you in London š
Jan 31, 2026: Switching to a new web host this week. You may experience some instability for a while.
Jan 01, 2026: Happy New Year! Iāve just finished the post, Structural Fatigue. Unsustainable, on how the modern table tennis calendar gradually pushed Wang to the edge, as visible in his struggles late last year. And rather than just asking whether the system will make real changes, letās look forward to what 2026 brings, starting with whether Wang is finally given a REAL supervising coach after so long fighting on his own.
Hope we all find a better Pingpong-Life Balance in a beautiful 2026 ahead. Love from New York. š„
Updates 2025
Dec 14, 2025: I just finished the first draft of my post about table tennis structural fatigue an hour ago, and now youāre telling me Wang withdrew from the WTT Finals because of injury? What?? šš
(The new draft was put together right after China Smash, so itās built around how things looked at that point. And I held back a lot of salty takes to keep the tone calm. But todayās news honestly hit me hard, whoās ever thought his fatigue would get worse than what we saw at China Smash? Iāll revise this draft over the next couple of days with updated info, references, and probably some more straightforward takes. Still, feel free to share any thoughts, emotions, or whatever you want to say.)
Dec 13, 2025: Havenāt updated in a bit cuz Iāve been fully in holiday mode. Also, low-key stopped following tt matches for a while (you know mixed team events never really do it for me). The holiday season is for chilling, sipping wine, and enjoying the yearās little harvests, not still grinding on the very frontline. Feel bad for our lionheart though, heās clearly been drained forever!!
Last night I finally met Leah IRL after months of chatting online, plus her bf Kenneth who flew in from Singapore. Hanging out in freezing NYC winter was probably not the smartest idea, but the convo was hotter than the Southeast Asian sun lol. š¤£š„ Anyway, my handās doing better now. Iām picking things back up and continuing that unfinished draft about how the nonstop table tennis schedule just keeps draining players.
And again… CNT/CTTA sucks.
Nov 15, 2025: Just landed in Paris for a last-min work thing and Iāll probably sweep through the city this weekend lolll. Havenāt watched any of the National Games of China (is it supposed to be a big event?), and honestly, nothing about the results would surprise me. Long story short, Wang only gets proper support, and not even full kind, when CNT (plus Team Beijing) really NEED him to win. Otherwise his participation is justā¦ HIS participation. You know exactly what I mean.
Oct 31, 2025: Spent my long flight home reading The Club (plus sitting thru that ground-stop mess thanks to the East Coast storm. š I know zero about soccer, but the book is basically bts tea on how the English soccerās Premier League became a global entertainment monster. Media deals, power moves, ambitious owners studying business in the US, and flipping the chill local sport into a multi-billion-dollar industry. And ofc my brain jumped straight to table tennis. (Btw, how come nobodyās done a book like this on table tennis yet?)
After US Smash, I have thoughts about table tennis and its business model vs tennis and the Big Four. If I keep it simple: authoritarian vibes everywhere. Not a fun fan community or a normal sport business. It felt more like a power-centered system where keeping fans in line and squeezing them came first. Even the pricing and event mgmt felt like WTT trying to act big without knowing its lane. š«·Kinda joked to compare itself to tennis, MLB and NBA, even if IMG grabbed media rights this year.
Been chatting with some friends about the bigger business picture in table tennis too. Maybe weāll spill more someday (and maybe I can make my critiques sound less savageā¦ maybe lolll).
Oct 30, 2025: Itās a wrap for my 3-wk shoot trip in Boston and LA. As mentioned, I tried to drop a quick lil take on TT conditioning but somehow the āquick notesā always turn into essays. My bad fr.
Also had an argument with Jayden about whether CNTās training and recovery system is actually elite or kinda outdated. Based on his NCAA experience, we both agree that for a national team setup, CNT has fewer updated resources, tech, rehab tools, and sports science support than the US college system, not even to count major US leagues. But Jayden was like, āYeah we got more toys and bigger buildings, but China got specialists dialed in for certain sports.ā Meanwhile Iām still side-eyeing CNT tbh. Some coaches and staff give sleepy, stuck-in-their-era vibes. Just too comfortable in their power, not enough curiosity to evolve. Anyway, weāll fight again when Iām back in the city. ššŖ
Btw, any baseball or hockey ppl here? Dodgers vs Blue Jays was insaneeee on Monday. Our Yankees was justā¦ yeah nah not talk about Mets either. NHL season just dropped tho and Iām so ready for my Rangers. So when is WTT gonna pull up to North America (east coast!) instead of camping in Asia forever? Actually, forget WTT. We just need a little lion here, simple as that.
Oct 15, 2025: Congrats to Wang and Team China at Asian Championships! š Havenāt caught any matches lately since lifeās been hectic, but huge thanks to all friends keeping me in the loop with all the updates and clips. Just came across a convo about physical drain and recovery in table tennis, thought itās worth sharing. Iāll try to squeeze out a quick post about it soon and finish the mixed doubles piece once Iām back in town.
Oct 04, 2025: Lost for words. Such bravery. Such perseverance. Such resolve. Such a lionheart. All for the team, yet thankless.
Now itās 3:10 am, right after Wangās semifinal win at China Smash. No matter what happens in the final, Iām already heartbroken on so many levels. Iāll share my thoughts soon on how mixed doubles has affected him. Itās not finished yet, but Iāll try to post the first draft on MondayWednesday š
before my business trip to Boston. It might be a hard read for those who love mixed doubles. No sorry.
Before China Smash started, I got a few messages trying to explain why he had to play three events again. Maybe we all see it differently now, huh? Feel free to shoot me any thoughts. Btw, there were a couple of messages I couldnāt reply to because they came in anonymously or had invalid emails. Youāre always welcome to send me messages anonymously, but if youād like to chat, just donāt forget to leave an email so I can reply.
Image: The courtside couch after Wang left.
Menās singles semifinal, China Smash 2025. Photo by INTHECAN.
Oct 03, 2025: Exhausted. Wang, me, and you, I guess. š¤¦āāļøš¤¦āāļøš āāļøš š£š«
Sept 21, 2025: Just found a fun way to attach video references: stitching screenshots together with the subtitles. I updated a few posts with that format. Also uploaded the documentary Blossom in Paris (Wangās part) to YouTube.
Sept 18, 2025: Glad Wang picked up another WTT title, and I was touched when he said Chinese table tennis is still Chinese table tennis. However, I donāt really get that. As I mentioned before, I never understood why people expect someone to carry a nationās or teamās pride on a racket, and even more, why he himself feels he is supposed to carry it. Iām touched, but I donāt agree.
Iāve wrapped up my study on the fate of left-handers in Chinese table tennis, revising and finishing it between NYFW shows. Collecting stories and details about the careers of different left-handers was a bit of a struggle, and while it will probably never feel completely done, I decided to pause here for now. š¤Ŗ
Aug 21, 2025: Itās exhausting to hear that Wang has to compete in all three events at China Smash in Oct. I still donāt understand the system that is clearly biased against left-handed players.
Anyway, just wondering if anyoneās interested in sharing their thoughts and analysis here as a guest post on whatever topic you like. And also, if anyoneās up for helping translate the subtitles of my YouTube videos into other languages. Just drop me a message here. Wangās fans only, thx.
Aug 12, 2025: Letās congratulate Wang on hitting 100 WTT Singles wins! Check the video for his long road.
Aug 11, 2025: Not too fussed about the Yokohama Champions.
Losing in the final isnāt a big deal for me (or for Wang) since itās the lowest-level event Wang plays, and the ranking points donāt really matter for him right now. Harimotoās longtime targeted tactics worked this time, apparently because Wang didnāt adjust his form well. He got fired up too early in the afternoon semifinal and didnāt get enough rest physically and mentally, which led to unnecessary errors later. Plus, heās under huge pressure as the only menās squad survivor in the CNT. As Iāve said before, I wasnāt expecting much from his recent matches anyway. Everyone needs time to rest, think, test limits, and recharge, and US Smash was already a surprise gift for meeeeeee!!! Lolll. Btw, a WTT medical time-out is max 5 mins by the book. š¤·āāļø
Aug 11, 2025: Translation of an analysis article published in World Table Tennis Japan, July 2025 Issue: The Super Techniques of Chinaās New Emperor, Wang Chuqin
Aug 04, 2025: Finally got around to recapping my US Smash trip. I moved back to Hampton Bays with my family for the summer, got buried in errands, and beach life totally took over š
July 15, 2025: Iām back, Iām back! What a unique experience it was to watch so many table tennis matches in Vegas. And what a cute guy and an awesome player Wang Chuqin is! The vibe in a table tennis arena is totally different from hockey or baseball. Not even sure how to start sharing everythingā¦ but let me get some rest first.
July 07, 2025: Heading to Vegas now, just one day after getting back from Atlanta. Iāve heard all the horror stories: the brutal July heat, that sketchy temporary setup next to the arena, those awful tables being used at US Smash, and Wang already rocking KT tape on his legs before the match even startedā¦ Well, wellā¦ Good luck, buddy!
July 01, 2025: The TTR System: A Fresh Chapter for Table Tennis Officiating
June 10, 2025: š„ 26-minute Interview Wang Chuqin: The Road to Growth (fixed). Nothing needs to be said. Just watch. (With transcripts.)
I personally donāt buy all that glorifying-the-struggle stuff, but if Wang believes that āonce you finally achieve something that matters, it feels like the struggle paid off,ā I respect that.
June 4, 2025: My WTTC reviewās up! Check it out here: Calm After the Climb, 2025 WTTC Doha
May 26, 2025: Uploaded two clips with translations from Wangās post-final interview: Wang Chuqin on WTTC Final Win vs Hugo Calderano: āI Treated It Like a Regular Gameā & Making History as Left-Handed Champion, Wang Chuqin Reflects on 2025 WTTC Journey – YouTube
Kinda glad the WTTC final happened over the long weekend, so Jayden and I actually had time to recover from the insomnia and celebrate in our own little way. We had brunch at a Brazilian spot yesterday, just right after the final, and Chinese BBQ late at night. Lollll. Jayden was a little bummed because he was hoping Liang Jingkun would make the final against Wang. He likes Liang but is more into the Wang-Liang doubles pair. š¤£
May 25, 2025: Letās gooo! WTTC Menās Singles champ!! The only lefty in this century! What a legend, Wang Chuqin! š„š
May 19, 2025: ITTF, YOUāRE A JOKE!!!!
Dropped a video of the rubber-damaged drama at WTTC Doha on YouTube, including Wangās post-match interview and a replay of the incident. Iāll share the updates on the racket incident here: Racket, Damaged. Again.
May 16, 2025: Have dropped the post: How Seamless Balls Broke the Gameās Rhythm. You know why I treated today like a deadline. š The most challenging part was digging through lab tests and essays in multiple languages. Thanks to Kenneth for sharing and helping me lock in a few points.
May 6. 2025: Just wrapped up a filming project in Philly and finally back in the city. Yesterday, I had a great chat with a TT amateur from Singapore who shared a bunch of insights about equipment, including the seamless ball. The whole convo kicked off with the Paris racket incident, ofc. š« I havenāt forgotten about writing something on the seamless ball, but for some reason, the draft keeps growing longer and longer. No idea why, lol.
Apr 24, 2025: Just uploaded a video of the match point moment from the quarterfinal, featuring commentary in different languages. The French commentary of RMC Sport is a must-watch! Match Point Madness: Wang Chuqin vs Benedikt Duda | 2025 World Cup Macao – YouTube
Apr 20, 2025: Wrapped up my thoughts on Wangās World Cup run: Chuqinās 2025 World Cup: A Fight, Not a Fall
Apr 12, 2025: Iāve been buried in filming work lately and havenāt had the chance to explore Wangās past matches as planned. But now and then, when I need a mental reset or a creative spark, I still pick up the stories and clips about Wang and Team China.
Upcoming Plans
Upcoming Plans
(No set deadlines since this is all between my actual workload.)
- Collect Wangās interviews from 2017 to 2024
- š Start a series on Wangās career before Paris, focusing on key matches and moments:
- Tokyo Olympics player selection (when Wang was an alternate player)
- 2022 Chengdu World Team Championships
- 2022 WTT Final Cup in Xinxiang
- 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games
- And whatever else feels vital along the way
- Eventually, wrap up the Top Games series
Dig into what mixed doubles has meant for Wang, and how heās handled competing in all three events for years
Discuss the perspective of left-handed players and expand on the Systemic Favoritism section from Wang Chuqin and the Mystery of CNTās Coaching System Neglect
Got other ideas? Iām all ears. Challenge me. š¤©
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