The world of table tennis can be unforgiving, as seen in the case of world champion Liu Shiwen, who was surprisingly left out of China’s women’s singles lineup for the Tokyo Olympics. This decision meant that Liu Shiwen would instead participate in doubles and team events, sparking heated discussions on social media platforms like Weibo, where a hashtag related to her omission garnered nearly 300 million views.
Liu Shiwen, a 30-year-old table tennis world champion, had never won an Olympic singles crown despite being part of the Chinese team that swept all four gold medals at the Rio 2016 Games. The Chinese Table Tennis Association’s decision to omit her from the singles lineup was attributed to the need for a squad with experience, confidence, and top-class individual skills. World number one Chen Meng and Sun Yingsha were named for the women’s singles instead.
This move highlights the intense competition and selection challenges faced by athletes and coaches in high-stakes tournaments. China’s dominance in table tennis, with 28 out of 32 gold medals awarded in the sport, adds pressure to these decisions. Despite her omission, Liu Shiwen’s talent and achievements remain undeniable, and her participation in other events is eagerly anticipated.
