Chen Meng, the 30-year-old veteran of the Chinese women’s national table tennis team, is setting her sights higher than ever for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. As the reigning singles and team champion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Chen is focusing on defeating her toughest opponent yet: herself.
In May, Chen secured her place on the Chinese national team for Paris just days after a triumphant victory over compatriot Sun Yingsha at the Saudi Smash 2024 women’s singles final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Leading up to that win, she showcased her dominance by defeating three formidable Japanese players—Miu Hirano, Hina Hayata, and Miwa Harimoto—all of whom are expected to be key contenders in Paris.
“The three Japanese players I faced in Saudi Arabia each have unique playing styles,” Chen told China Media Group (CMG). “They possess excellent skills, play aggressively, and pose significant threats. By analyzing their games, I was able to approach each match with clarity.”
With the experience of a flawless Olympic performance in Tokyo, Chen is intensifying her preparation for Paris by honing her skills and enhancing her endurance. “A few years ago, I didn’t prioritize improving specific aspects of my game,” she admitted. “I just tried to do everything better. Now, I recognize the greater need for better endurance. I’ve aged and found that I recover more slowly than before. I’ve realized that improving my endurance will keep me in better form.”
Chen’s commitment to self-improvement reflects her relentless pursuit of excellence. “I consider it a job well done every day if I can defeat the version of myself from the day before,” she said. This mindset is driving her as she aims not just to defend her titles but to elevate her performance to new heights in Paris.
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Chinese table tennis ace Chen Meng wants to defeat herself in Paris
cgtn.com
