CNG Throwback: 20 Years Ago He Created History

The Throwback series has come back after a 2-month hiatus! Despite the sport has been keep on developing with newer techniques and stronger athletes, there are always matches of reminisce that worth re-watching again and again. Following Throwback Thursday (click the Throwback Thursday tag to catch up the previous posts), here comes CNG Throwback which introduce you to exciting matches from the past Chinese National Games. The series will make update every Monday, Wednesday and Friday till 25 August right before the Games commences. Without further ado, let's begin with 1997 Chinese National Games men's singles final!

Photo: Souhu

I choose to start off the series with the earliest match that I can find. It is the 1997 Chinese National Games men's singles finals with Wang Tao (representing PLA) playing against up-and-comer back then, Ma Lin representing Guangdong. Fun facts about the Chinese National Games, Wang Tao is the only man to have won 2 men's singles titles at the Chinese National Games. Winning a men's singles title at the highest-level national competition and arguably the toughest table tennis competition on earth is already a huge accomplishment, not to mention doing it twice. Ma Long has a pretty good shot of winning men's singles 2 times in a row in the 13th Games (2017). Let's see whether he will make history in Tianjin!

I know what you are thinking. Why is it so short? What's the result? Any full match? Sadly this is all I can find and I only know Wang Tao won. Back in the days when table tennis ball was only 38 mm rather than 40+mm nowadays, players were allowed to hide their service and games would not end until 21 points, there are not much information regarding this match available on the internet. Perhaps we should be thankful that someone has recorded the match and give us a glimpse of the match dated 20 years ago. 

Were the shortcomings of the penhold style exposed back in those days? Ma Lin had no solutions to escape from the backhand trap. Feel free to comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts on this blog and the sport! Follow the blog for more throwbacks and preview of the Chinese National Games by clicking the blue button on the right-hand column.

Although I make frequent updates so that I can include more CNG throwbacks before the Games starts, there are always more amazing matches than that I can include. No worries, I have created a playlist to include most of matches from the past Chinese National Games. If I have missed any matches, please remind me in the comment box, I will add them back to the playlist!