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Lars Hamer

China’s Olympic champions have expressed their approval after global table tennis chiefs’ decision to change several of the rules that prompted three of the country’s top names to withdraw from the world rankings.
On Tuesday, World Table Tennis (WTT) removed the mandatory participation requirement at all Grand Smash events and introduced direct entry for Olympic champions.
Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu, who won gold in the table tennis team events at the Paris Games, welcomed the changes.
“[I’m] very happy, [after] competing at the Olympics, players require a long time to think and plan, so this is a privilege to Olympic champions,” Sun said late on Thursday.
In December, Olympic champions Fan Zhendong, Ma Long and Chen Meng shocked the sport when they announced that they had withdrawn from the world rankings.

The trio cited the physical toll and an inability to pull out of WTT events without facing fines as key reasons behind their decision.
A month later, all three were omitted from the national team ahead of February’s ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup in Shenzhen.
“In a broader sense, we need these Olympic champions … to participate in competitions,” Sun said.
WTT said that the penalties for non-participation were enforced to ensure fans could see the world’s best players in action. However, following the withdrawals, a task force was established last month to address concerns, and a meeting was held with the Chinese players in Singapore on February 1.
The changes announced included direct entry to WTT events, from April, for reigning Olympic champions, who can play in all four WTT Grand Smash events and all six WTT Champions events, valid for four years after their Olympic triumph.
There will be an additional US$1 million in prize money, with a larger share of the pot promised for singles champions.
Players will be granted two annual exemption passes from WTT Champions events, allowing them to manage their schedules.
Fan, Ma and Chen had yet to comment on the rule changes or say whether they would accept WTT’s invitation to take part in this year’s remaining WTT events.
“This type of freedom to participate makes me feel really comfortable,” Wang Chuqin said. “We are in a new season now, and for the past two years we have been really focused on the big competitions.”
Wang Manyu was also relieved at the changes.
“I feel a huge amount of respect,” she said. “Seeing they’ve made changes to accommodate us makes me really happy.
“I see they’ve made changes [based on January’s meeting]. I feel like they are trying to see things from the athlete’s standpoint.”


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ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation)

Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin welcome table tennis rule changes amid WTT rankings row

China’s Wang Chuqin (left) and Sun Yingsha in action at the Paris Olympics. Photo: AP

China’s table tennis star Fan Zhendong has yet to comment on the WTT’s rule changes. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Marathon issues warning after man pictured running with woman’s bib

The winner and runner-up of the half-marathon on Sunday were disqualified for wearing the wrong bibs. Photo: Dickson Lee

A male runner wearing bib 33150, which was registered to a woman. Photo: Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

Chinese footballer, 18, ‘brain-dead’ after accident in Spain, family accuse club and FA

Chinese footballer Guo Jiaxuan, 18, was left with a severe brain injury after a collision during a training camp in Spain. Photo: RedNote/@大琪 呀哈比比

Guo Jiaxuan’s brother shared an image of the 18-year-old in hospital. Photo: RedNote/@大琪 呀哈比比

Sport

China

It follows meeting in Singapore to air grievances after withdrawal of Fan Zhendong, Ma Long and Chen Meng from world rankings


It follows meeting in Singapore to air grievances after withdrawal of Fan Zhendong, Ma Long and Chen Meng from world rankings.
