On October 6, the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Grand Slam tournament wrapped up in Beijing, with rising star Lin Shidong capturing the men’s singles championship. In Sanya, Hainan, his childhood coach, Guan Yan, followed the event closely. In an interview on October 7, she shared her thoughts on Lin’s victory, believing it marks a new beginning for him. She expressed excitement about his upcoming performances in major competitions, including the Olympics, the World Table Tennis Championships, and the ITTF World Cup.
Guan fondly remembered how Lin got started in table tennis back in Sanya. “The first time I saw Lin, he was just a chubby little kid in first grade. He was in poor physical shape, and no one thought he could actually play table tennis,” she recalled. Yet, even without direct coaching, Lin demonstrated his commitment by watching others play for three straight days at the table tennis hall. “The fact that he could sit still and focus was a promising sign.”
At that time, Guan was teaching a backhand flick technique. She noticed Lin mimicking some of the movements from the sidelines and decided to give him a chance to try it out. “After he took a shot, I realized his understanding of the game was far beyond that of many kids who had been playing for years,” she stated, leading her to officially coach him.
“First, we had to focus on getting him in shape,” Guan explained. For the initial six months, she implemented a physical training routine to improve his court movement. As Lin’s talent became more apparent over the next two years, she gradually increased the intensity of the training. In April 2015, when the Hainan provincial table tennis team was formed, Lin was one of the first selections and the youngest player on the squad.
Under rigorous training, Lin quickly rose through the ranks, making headlines in major competitions. By April 2018, he had secured the men’s singles title in the U13 category at the National Table Tennis Championships and began participating in international events. By December 2020, at the age of just 15, Lin became the first player from Hainan to join the national team.
In the WTT China Grand Slam men’s singles final, Lin faced veteran Ma Long. Despite trailing 1-3, he staged a remarkable comeback to win. “Before each match, I send him a message of encouragement. This time, I reminded him to play his own game, no matter what happened,” Guan shared. She noted that Lin displayed impressive poise under pressure, showing a determination many of his peers lack.
The match ignited online discussions about the shift from veteran to younger players in Chinese table tennis. Guan acknowledged Ma Long as an incredibly experienced athlete while emphasizing that Lin still has much to learn, especially since he hasn’t yet faced many major tournaments.
Guan mentioned that whenever Lin returns to Sanya, he makes a point to visit her and share updates about his training. “He tells me he’s dedicated to working hard every day and pursuing his goals. I truly believe in him and wish him all the best as he continues his journey in table tennis, aiming for even greater achievements,” she concluded.
