Greetings and welcome to the end of a busy week. The preliminary round of the Chinese National Games was held from 23 March to 29 March 2017 in Anshan, Liaoning. In the competition 16 pairs of mixed doubles, men's doubles and women's doubles; 24 men and women;12 men's team and women's team qualify to the final stage of the Chinese National Games which will be held from 28 August to 6 September in Tianjin.
Qualifiers of the final stage of the Chinese National Games are as follow:
The shocking news in the team event goes to Team Guangdong, which has Liu Shiwen in their team, did not qualify for the final stage. Liu Shiwen played very well in the match, winning every match she has played but Team Guangdong lacks a reliable player to secure the third point to win the match. Their 2-3 lost to Shanghai cost them the spot to the final stage.
Young players stood out in the team events. In the men's side, Team Heilongjiang made a clean sweep with the outstanding performance from two young players, Yu Ziyang (who beat Jun Mizutani in 2014) and Xu Yingbin (team member of 2016 Junior Worlds Team). The 12 straight win in the women's team events played by a short-pimpled player, Zhao Lin who represents Team Guangxi has also surprised many of us.
Veterans prove their value to the team. Zhang Chao and Hao Shuai did not hold back in the team events and led their team qualify for the next stage. They also made their way to the final stage of the men's singles and mixed doubles. It is quite an accomplishment, being able to maintain a high level of playing skills at the age of 30.
There is a variety of playing style in the singles. 2 male and 2 female choppers proceed to the final stage. They are Ma Te and Liu Yi for the men and Wu Yang and Liu Fei for the women. Some players with unconventional playing style, despite not qualifying to the next stage, have threatened the seeded players. The penhold with short-pimpled player Wang Linkun and Jie Jianwei stopped Lin Gaoyuan and Shang Kun from qualifying to the final stage of the men's singles. Lin Gaoyuan has to stand on the podium in Worlds in order to get the second chance to qualify for the Chinese National Games. (Check the rules for qualification here!)
Strong players paired up in both men's doubles and women's doubles, regardless of the team they are representing. Xu Xin/Ma Long and Ding Ning/Liu Shiwen are prompt in winning the matches. Will their dominance extend to the final stage? The greats do not necessarily win. In the mixed doubles, Fang Bo / Chen Meng were written off by Xu Yingbin and Liu Ming. This proves collaboration and consistency are crucial to winning in doubles.
The Chinese National Games Prelims is a stage full of uncertainties and surprises. Great players show off their techniques, veterans entail the significance of experience and emerging youngsters fight hard to prove their potential and capability. So make sure you follow the 'show' on time from 28 August to 6 September.
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Looking for More about the Chinese National Games?
Schedule of the Preliminary Round of the Chinese National Games:
7 Events in 7 Days!
Line-up of the Preliminary Round of the Chinese National Games:
The Hardy Hundreds!
Team Draw of the Preliminary Round of the Chinese National Games:
More than the Marvellous 12!
Singles / Doubles Draw
Who Vs Who
Footage of the Preliminary Round of the Chinese National Games:
Day 1 Footage
Day 2 Footage
Day 3 Footage
Day 4 Footage
Day 5 Footage
Day 6 Footage
Day 7 Footage
Results of the Preliminary Round of the Chinese National Games:
Day 1 Results
Day 2 Results
Day 3 Results
Day 4 Results
Day 5 Results
Day 6 Results
Day 7 Results
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