China axes table tennis trip after players protest over coach’s removal
Move comes after some team members staged no-show at home tournament after Liu Guoliang was reassigned
The Chinese Table Tennis Association said on Thursday that the players were “too tired” and not physically ready to compete in the Gold Coast tournament, which offers total prize money of US$400,000. It said it had “communicated” with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on the matter.
China dominates the sport, with its players occupying the top four spots on the world rankings by the ITTF. Three of those players, Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong and Ma Long – all of whom said on social media that they had voluntarily withdrawn from the event – were due to compete at the Australian Open, and their absence will be a blow for the tournament and fans.
“It is unfortunate that the decision was made to withdraw the entire men’s team of Zhang Jike, Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin, Yan An, Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan from the Australian Open,” event organiser ITTF said. “The men’s team cancellation is disappointing news for all table tennis fans around the world.”
Liu – a former grand slam champion – is well respected and his sudden removal as national coach in a restructuring angered players. Liu was transferred to the position of deputy chairman of the table tennis association, Xinhua reported.
