Zhang Jike inflames Chinese social media with claim he would beat women’s champ Wang Manyu
The 37-year-old told a blogger he would love to face the world No 2 and would come out on top if he had time to prepare for the encounter
Former Chinese table tennis player Zhang Jike has come under fire from social media users after suggesting he could beat reigning women’s Asia champion Wang Manyu, during a live broadcast on Monday.
The 37-year-old told a blogger he would love to face the world No 2 and would come out on top if he had time to prepare for the encounter.
“If I train for a month, [Wang] Manyu cannot beat me, hahaha. I’ll be challenging for the women’s world No 1 spot, haha,” he wrote.
But the comment was met with anger among social media users in China, with many suggesting the former world No 1 – who last topped the rankings in December 2012 – was using Wang’s popularity to boost his profile.
“I have no idea why he is popping up here and there every day. What is he trying to achieve?” one Weibo user wrote.
“Of all the previous table tennis champions, Zhang is the only one who regularly takes sides publicly,” another said.