Chen Meng, at 30 years old, stands as the most experienced player on the Chinese women's national table tennis team. As the reigning singles and team champion from the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, she's set her sights on a new challenge for Paris 2024: defeating her past self.
Just days after triumphing over her teammate Sun Yingsha in the Saudi Smash 2024 women's singles final in Jeddah, Chen was officially named to represent China at the upcoming Olympic Games. This victory wasn't easy; she battled and beat three formidable Japanese opponents—Miu Hirano, Hina Hayata, and Miwa Harimoto—each a potential hurdle on the road to gold in Paris.
\"The three Japanese players I faced in Saudi Arabia each brought their unique styles to the table,\" Chen shared with China Media Group (CMG). \"They're skilled, aggressive, and pose serious threats. But by studying their games, I was able to keep a clear head and play my best.\"
Having had a stellar performance in Tokyo, Chen's experience is her secret weapon. She's not just honing her skills but also focusing on boosting her endurance. 🏋️♀️
\"A few years back, I didn't prioritize any specific part of my game,\" she reflected. \"I just tried to improve overall. But now, endurance is key. I've noticed recovery isn't as quick as before, so building stamina is crucial to stay in top form.\"
Despite reaching the pinnacle of her career, Chen isn't settling. Her goal for Paris? To be better than she was yesterday.
\"If I can defeat the me from the day before, then I've done my job,\" she said with determination.
As we gear up for the excitement of Paris 2024, all eyes will be on Chen Meng to see if she can once again outplay herself and bring home the gold for China. 🇨🇳🥇
Reference(s):
Chinese table tennis ace Chen Meng wants to defeat herself in Paris
cgtn.com
