Hi everyone. I’m sorry I’ve not been updating after the World Championships because I got a cold after following days of competition in the midnight. I’m back and will be writing those unfinished recap and translated interviews soon. But what comes first is the Hong Kong Open!!!
It’s been a long time that Hong Kong has last hosted an event like this. As I recall, the last event that is comparable to the Hong Kong Open is the Pro Tour Grand Finals in 2006 (which is my first time watching table tennis competition live on site). Therefore I decided to grab this precious opportunity and watch the entire competition live on site. I’ll be making updates on the newly launched Facebook page!!! Our New Facebook Page called “Small Ball Spins the Big Ball” where I’ll be posting news and thoughts about the competition live!
Click the link below and like our page!
https://www.facebook.com/Small-Ball-Spins-the-Big-Ball-1658124937635873/
Glad to hear you're back and (hopefully) feeling better. Great posts on the FB-page, alot of information there that I haven't seen anywhere else. Really surprised that Hou Yingchao (who must be quite old by now?) defeated Jeoung Youngsik. Also very hesitant to how far Zhang Jike will advance, but then again, he has the crowd on his side...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. It’s my first time running a Facebook page and the quality of the photos are not professional as I took them with my phone. I hope you really like the post but not saying that just to be nice.
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you would like to see from the page and blog! I will try to make improvements on them.
What I especially liked was all the bits of trivia about the fans and the environment surrounding the competition. Hearing that the audience give the players nick names (like Quadri "The Canon" Aruna, a very appropriate title), that they're interested in Japan's post 00-generation in the wake of Harimoto, the spread of fans both age- and experience-wise, and counter intuitive stuff like the fact that the crowd cheered more for Miu Hirano than Zhang Rui... It's all fascinating "behind the scenes"-stuff that you don't get from official coverage.
DeleteJust out of slightly patriotic curiosity: what were the reactions to Wong Chun Ting bowing out against Jon Persson? That result truly took me by surprise.
Thank you Magnus!
DeleteIn fact, that was about all I can write because I did not manage to get the media accreditation for the tournament and was not able to get the bites from the mixed zone so I thought writing from the spectators' perspective might be a possible solution. It turned out a fun experience to talk to the spectators and understand how they view the sport. I am glad that you like the writing style since it is a new try to me and it is not what we used to see from the conventional media coverage.
Just a belated reply to your question: The crowd cheered for Wong Chun Ting because it was a good game for both sides. I think the Hong Kong crowd is very supportive. Of course they would be even happier if the Hong Kong players win but at most of the time, I saw the fans encouraging and supporting the players.
I hope this answer your question.
Table Tennis Fan
Don't stop posting here! Facebook is not for everyone. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Zest Light,
DeleteThank you for your comment and support. I will keep updating this blog (probably not that often because of some personal matters but the blog will be the main platform for posting new articles). The reason for opening the Facebook page is to make quick live updates of 2018 HKG Open since it's more convenient to write on Facebook than Blogger with my phone. At this moment, I think I will focus more on writing articles on this blog and work on the Facebook page when I have more time.
I am sorry for keeping you from waiting. Please stay tuned and support the blog! Your comment is a huge motivation.
Best,
Table Tennis Fan