[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Jininsadaecheonmyeong (盡人事待天命). Do all that a human can do and wait for the will of heaven.
Jung Young-sik (29, Mirae Asset Securities), the pillar of our men's table tennis, uploaded this Chinese idiom written in brush calligraphy as his smartphone messenger profile while preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. It signifies his determination to win, having completed all preparations necessary for the medal hunt.
Today, he faces the Great Wall of China. Overcoming this hurdle means the medal is within reach. On the 4th at 2:30 PM, Jung Young-sik will challenge for a spot in the finals in the men's team semifinals against China at the Tokyo Gymnasium. Facing China, the undisputed 'absolute No.1' worldwide, is a heavy burden for us. However, for the sake of the medal, China is a mountain that must be met and overcome at least once. The national team has been preparing for the match against China since the start of the Olympics. Jung Young-sik may have secretly been looking forward to this showdown with China to confirm his improved skills compared to five years ago.
Jung Young-sik met China in the men's team semifinals at the 2016 Rio Olympics but could not prevent the team's defeat. This time, he must repay that debt.
In the meantime, Jung Young-sik has experienced and learned from Chinese table tennis. After the Rio Olympics, from October to December 2016, he played for Shanghai Zhongshen in the Chinese Super League, helping his team to a third-place finish. Jung Young-sik said, "I think I relearned half of the table tennis I had learned over 20 years in China."
In the team event, which consists of one doubles match and four singles matches, Jung Young-sik is expected to play one doubles and one singles match each.
The doubles pairing with Lee Sang-su (31, Samsung Life) is the most anticipated. Since March, the Jung Young-sik?Lee Sang-su duo has been ranked No.1 in the men's doubles world rankings announced by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). Lee Sang-su's sharp attacking power and Jung Young-sik's exquisite course targeting that exploits opponents' gaps create a harmonious synergy.
Doubles is played first in the team event. If Jung Young-sik and Lee Sang-su succeed in gaining the initiative, even China's high Great Wall might crumble.
China is expected to field a doubles pair of Xu Xin, ranked No.2 in the world, and Ma Long, ranked No.3. Ma Long is the same player whom Jung Young-sik stunned by winning the first two sets early in their individual round of 16 match at the Rio Olympics five years ago. Depending on the order of play, Jung Young-sik may have a rematch with Ma Long in the singles matches of the team event. However, Ma Long is on a roll after winning the gold medal in men's singles at this Tokyo Olympics. Even facing world No.1 Fan Zhendong would be a revenge match. Jung Young-sik was eliminated after losing to Fan Zhendong in the singles quarterfinals of this tournament.
Jung Young-sik emphasized, "If we prepare thoroughly, the opponent is not the Great Wall but a person, so I believe we can cause an upset."
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