Liang Jingkun
Photo Credits: The Goan
PANAJI
Chinese table tennis star Liang Jingkun overcame a stiff challenge from 17-year-old compatriot, Lin Shidong to win 4-2 (11-6, 9-11, 10-12, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9) in the finals of the men's singles of the WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
Ranked No. 7 in the world, Jingkun had to overturn a 2-1 deficit, to win the next three games with the narrowest of margins to clinch the deal in his favour. "Shidong performed well, and my mental aspect was very strong. I feel my body overall was very good in the match and my mindset was very good as well," he reasoned for his ability to get the better of his opponent after being down in the scoreline.
Heaping plaudits on his young opponent ranked world No. 14, 26-year-old Jingkun said, "Being so young, he (Shidong) is performing so well. He is just 17 and made this far. I think his future will be bright." Jingkun also added that he considers Shidong as the main player in the Chinese team and also in the future.
If being called the "comeback king" would be befitting, Jingkun dismissed the sobriquet. "We are athletes. Even when we are down, we have to come back and win the match. That is our mindset," he explained.
To a question posed by The Goan, Jingkun agreed that the world of table tennis is getting all the more competitive and younger, lower-ranked players have given a mandate that rankings can be misleading. "The players born after 2008 are really getting stronger and stronger. I have to maintain my game to stay at the top," he asserted.
Not one to celebrate his title triumph, Jingkun discloses that he would like to go home and get ready for the next tournament. The men's singles champion of the WTT Star Contender Goa 2023 will play next in the Singapore Smash which starts on March 11.
