Chapter 306: A Slow Starter

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Dai Li never expected that, as a fitness coach, one day he could get the chance to go abroad for competitions with the national team. This time, it was the Austria Table Tennis Open, which was also a vital contest in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) circuit.

Days before the formal game started, there were several preliminary contests. The first one was the U21 level Youth contest, which was followed by a qualifying session. Athletes who were promoted in the qualifying session would be admitted to participate in a three-day formal contest with the other qualified competitors.

In Dai Li's eyes, this contest didn't occupy big venues, nor did it attract a large audience. Lots of Asian faces were found throughout the auditorium, most of whom were apparently either overseas Chinese, or Chinese students studying in Austria.

This looks cheerless, I remember that Austrians like ping-pong more than the other Europeans do. But look here, there are less audience members then I expected. It seems that ping-pong still remains unpopular in foreign countries.

Thinking about this, Dai Li sighed with disappointment. In his heart, Dai Li wished ping-pong's popularity would be better spread over the world, and that more people could join in this activity.

"What's going on? Why do you sigh?" Zhizhong Gu came up beside him without notice.

"Well, I just feel that we could have more people here." Dai Li signaled Zhizhong Gu with his eyes to look around at the auditorium.

"You mean the audience? Right, there doesn't seem to be many audience members here." Zhizhong Gu switched the topic and said, "After all, today is a working day, many Austrians are still at work. Austrians are very diligent among Europeans, and in some areas they are similar to Germans, like, they both focus on work greatly. In addition, Austrian laws permit a 12 working-hour a day. Such rules must have caused countless strikes and protests in Southern Europe."

"Moreover, right now it's just the opening of the contest, and famous players haven't showed up yet. Athletes in qualifying sessions are kind of nobodies, so how can they attract a big audience? Once the formal game starts, and after European athletes enter the arena, more audience members will come in. For instance, many Germans come here especially for that game."

"Will other foreign Opens attract lots of audience members?"Dai Li asked.

"It depends. But the certain thing is that, no matter where we are, those Chinese will come support us, since they are our most loyal audiences."

Then Zhizhong Gu asked Dai Li, "Is this your first time to be abroad for competitions?"

Dai Li nodded. "Right. Although this is not my first time to be abroad, I have never been out of the country for international contests before."

"How do you feel? Can you get used to it?" Zhizhong Gu asked.

"It's better than I thought. Before I came, I thought I might have some problems in a foreign country, but actually, it's way better than I expected. The hosts are very considerate," said Dai Li.

"The Austria Table Tennis Open has been held for years, so the hosts have gained much experience," Zhizhong Gu said, his eyes brightening with recollection. Then he said, "Back when the Austria Open was first held, I hadn't yet retired. But in that era, our national team athletes only participated in Asian circuits, so we rarely showed up in European tours. So, even though I was the world's No.1, I only had chances to visit Europe in big games, like World Championships and the World Cup."

"To be honest, we didn't come to Europe, due to the lack of funds. Europe was too far from us, so we couldn't afford the cost, therefore, we only participated in Asian contests. Later, after I became a coach, we received more and more funds, so then we began to send athletes for European Opens."

"Now you feel that the hosts are kind to us, but years ago, things were totally different. We didn't receive the same treatment. As such, what we ate, where we lived, were way worse than what we have now. I still remember that, one time, we went to Germany for competition, and those Germans could speak English, but they spoke German on purpose. We didn't have sufficient German translators, so problems emerged during intercommunication. We risked missing the playing time."

"At that time, we could clearly sense that those Europeans rousted us deliberately. They considered us as robbers, assuming that we participated in European tours, aiming at grabbing their championships and rewards. However, at present, Europeans would never show the same face to us. I think you can feel that the hosts are pretty good to us. They are very conscientious and responsible," Zhizhong Gu said, looked around, then asked Dai Li, "You know why?"

"Because we are strong?" answered Dai Li.

"For decades, our National Ping-Pong Team has been maintaining our strong competence. Back when we were treated so poorly, we were still the No.1 in the world." Zhizhong Gu continued with a smile, "Look around, you may find some clues."

Dai Li turned around, but he didn't find anything special.

Zhizhong Gu cued him, "See those advertisements?"

At this moment, Dai Li suddenly saw the light.

"See,these advertisements are produced by our domestic companies, and they are all in Chinese." Pride arose in Zhizhong Gu's face, as he continued, "At current Ping-Pong Tours, no matter what country holds the contest, the sponsors must be companies in our country. On the other hand, if our domestic companies stopped sponsoring, they may not be able to hold the games any longer, for they would lack money to do so!"

"The sponsor is the last person the host dares to offend, so even if Europeans insist on regarding us as champion-robbers, they dare not embarrass us anymore. In fact, they even please us on purpose. These changes all were caused simply due to the fact that we can now bring sponsors."

"In fact, this is like quenching a thirst with poison. Rejecting us meant rejecting sponsors, then they would lose the financial support for holding the games, hence, embracing us could help continue the games, but it also means that their players would never get a chance to taste victory!"

Pausing here, Zhizhong Gu turned around and said, "Actually, this is also the embodiment of national strength promotion. Since you have never gone abroad for competitions before, you certainly cannot feel this. In recent years, I often led teams for foreign competitions, and I have been impressed. Sometimes, only after you go to a different country, can you sense that your own country has been growing stronger and stronger."

Pride was conveyed in Zhizhong Gu's words.

...

Neither Zhizhong Gu nor Dai Li noticed that, from afar, two men were gazing at them. The two were around forty years old, with Oriental appearance, and were in unified sport suits.

But, if one looked carefully, there was a national flag on the clothing's chest area: a red circle on a white background. They were Japanese chief coach Kimura Juichi and vice-chief coach Ikeda Tatsuo.

The Japan Ping-Pong Team was very competitive, as right now the team was right after the Chinese National Team in standing, and was the biggest opponent of the National Team.

Japanese chief coach Kimura Juichi's eyes were fixed on Zhizhong Gu coldly.

"Zhizhong Gu looks joyful," said Kimura Juichi. "The young man standing next to him is their fitness coach, isn't he? If I'm right, his name is Dai Li."

The Japan Team was good at collecting opponents' information, and they had already inquired about Dai Li's identity. By his side, Ikeda Tatsuo nodded. "I don't understand why they bring a fitness coach here. What can a fitness coach do in this contest? Besides, this coach is so young."

"Ikeda San, don't belittle your opponent, just because he is younger than you. In our team, Harimoto Hisashi is only fifteen, but he defeated the player who was way older than him, didn't he?" said Kimura Juichi.

"You are right, Coach Kimura." Ikeda Tatsuo nodded with obedience, then said, "But in the next round, Harimoto Hisashi is going to fight against Pengfei Cui, and it looks like he will not be in the Top Eight."

"After all, Pengfei Cui used to be the world's No.1, although his condition has been declining in the recent two years due to his injury. What we cannot deny is that, currently, he is still ranked as one of the world's top five players. Based on Harimoto San's ability, he is definitely not Pengfei Cui's opponent."

Kimura Juichi turned around and said, "But the future is ours, and belongs to Harimoto San. He is only 15 years old, so his career has just started. At the time when his competence reaches peak, Pengfei Cui, Anshan Wang, they will be old! What we can do right now, is to help Harimoto San mature as quickly as possible."

Kimura Juichi's eyes were shining with enthusiasm, as he continued, "In domestic contests, Harimoto San has defeated a lot of opponents, including the best player in our team, Hasegawa Xiuyoshi. While in international competitions, Harimoto San has defeated several famous European players. But he has never fought any World Top Three players."

"Therefore, in tomorrow's contest, Pengfei Cui will be perfect. I won't request Harimoto San to win the whole game, but I do hope that he could win one or two rounds. Acquiring some points for one or two rounds from Pengfei Cui, to Harimoto San, it must be stimulating! It will make him feel that, even world's best players lose games, showing him that they are not infallible."

Ikeda Tatsuo immediately nodded. "I agree. To Harimoto San, this is indeed a valuable experience."

Kimura Juichi sounded excited, and said, "We have been studying Pengfei Cui for six to seven years, and already know his characteristics. The vital point is, he is always a slow starter in the games, and usually loses the first round."

"Harimoto San is exactly the opposite. He can immediately get into the state soon after the game starts. Therefore, it would not be very challenging for Harimoto San to win one or two rounds." Kimura Juichi smiled. "If Harimoto San met Anshan Wang, or Xiangxian Zuo, I would definitely not set this goal for him. But his opponent is the Slow Starter Pengfei Cui, and as such, he is meant to be Harimoto San's stepping stone!"

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