Chinese table tennis player Wang Chuqin shared the course of his struggles from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to the World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, claiming that keeping a positive attitude and mindset are the key factors in achieving victory in competition.
The rising star is known for his strong performance at the World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, Qatar.
In the event, he defeated Brazil's Hugo Calderano 4-1 as he won his first men's singles title. Also, Olympic champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha defeated Japan 3-1 to win their third straight mixed doubles title.
During a recent interview in Beijing, Wang likens the entire competition to a marathon, and each day's matches to sprints.
"I think it's like a marathon, and it's one that requires you to maintain a high focus continuously. It's not just about persevering, but about giving it your all to win, to strive for victory. In this kind of marathon, you must get through each day to reach the next. However, the next day is the same, and you have to give it your all to strive for victory, and to survive," he said.
"I believe that your beliefs can shape your thoughts and spirit. Your state of mind and attitude today depend on the strength of your own convictions. If you have aspirations and goals for this competition, you may not feel tired at all," he said.
For Wang, the last marathon-like competition was the 2024 Paris Olympics held 10 months ago.
On July 30, 2024, when Wang put his paddle aside on the floor in order to hold the national flag for celebration after the mixed doubles final of the Paris Olympics, a group of photographers rushed to the front to capture the moment and inadvertently stepped on and broke his paddle. The table tennis player had to change his racket and lost 4-2 in the round of 32 to Sweden's Truls Moregard.
In fact, aside from the broken paddle, injuries also plagued Wang at the Olympics. Due to over-training, he suffered rotator cuff injury that made it difficult for him to even raise and move his arms.
Reflecting on the Paris Olympics, he still considers the unexpected emergency to be a very painful experience in his professional career.
"Looking back on that experience, I feel that I'd never want to go through it again. If I had to face it now, I still think it would be very difficult. A person's mood, mindset, and overall state are truly important, which can shape your understanding and perspective on things, as well as the development tendency," he said.
"I think that experience helped me gradually understand myself better. Now, looking back at the competition, I would wonder if I had been in perfect condition at that time, including my paddle and arms, would I really have been able to win the Olympics? I'm still not very sure about that," he said.
After the Paris Olympics, Wang had been in the doldrums for over half a year. However, he never lost heart despite repeated setbacks.
"In the end, I asked myself whether I still had an attachment to table tennis. The answer is yes -- I am attached to table tennis, I'm unwilling to give up, and I don't want to let go. I still want to see what I can achieve, especially since I'm still young. I don't want to concede defeat just like that," he said.
Table tennis star Wang Chuqin stresses importance of positive attitude, mindset during sporting events
The European Union（EU）and France have reaffirmed their support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland as concerns are growing over security in the Arctic following the recent statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the strategically important island.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "Greenland belongs to its people, so it's up to Denmark and Greenland, and only to them, to decide on matters that are concerning Denmark and Greenland."
Noting that the EU is in contact with the Danish government, Von der Leyen stressed that security in the Arctic region is a key issue of concern to the EU.
Also on Wednesday, the European Parliament's political group leaders issued a statement, condemning the remarks made by the Trump administration regarding Greenland and terming them as a "blatant" challenge to international law and to the sovereignty of NATO member Denmark.
They urged the EU institutions to define "concrete and tangible" support for Denmark and Greenland, and stressed that decisions concerning Greenland belong to Denmark and Greenland alone.
"External attempts to alter the status quo are unacceptable," the leaders said.
In a related development, a group of 23 lawmakers sent a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Wednesday, emphasizing that if the United States continues to threaten Denmark's autonomous territory, the European Parliament should suspend debates and votes on trade agreements with the United States.
Currently, the European Parliament is deliberating on removing most U.S. import tariffs and maintaining zero-tariff policies on U.S. lobster, with a vote scheduled for January 26 and 27.
Meanwhile, French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon, citing President Emmanuel Macron, warned on Wednesday that any infringement on Danish sovereignty over Greenland would trigger "unprecedented" consequences.
"If the sovereignty of a European ally were affected, the cascading consequences would be unprecedented," said Bregeon.
"we are closely monitoring the situation and will stand firmly with Denmark to defend its sovereignty," the spokeswoman said.
On the same day, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu noted the need for serious consideration of recent U.S. signals concerning Greenland.
Lecornu reaffirmed France's "full solidarity with Denmark and the legitimate authorities of Greenland," adding that safeguarding the sovereignty of other countries is an important foundation for safeguarding one's own sovereignty.
Furthermore, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Wednesday that France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, calling the move a "political signal" over the strategic Danish territory.
The foreign minister said that the U.S. plan of buying Greenland is "absurd" and that this "blackmail" should stop.
He reiterated that France and Europe will continue to support Denmark.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, while Denmark retains authority over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.
Since his first term, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to acquire Greenland. Both Greenland and Denmark have made clear that the island is not for sale. The White House said last week that Trump will not rule out the use of force.
EU, France reaffirm support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland
