Chen Meng of China plays during the Chinese table tennis Olympic simulation tournament in Nanyang, Henan Province, China, May 26, 2021. /CFP
Women's table tennis world No.1 player Chen Meng feels relieved after being named in China's table tennis Olympic squad for the first time.
"That's a weight off my mind," the 27-year-old told a post-match mixed zone on Wednesday during the first day of the Chinese table tennis Olympic simulation tournament in Nanyang, central China's Henan Province.
"I can now focus on preparations for my first Olympic Games and make some specific plan after knowing that I will go play Tokyo 2020," said Chen, who beat Sun Mingyang 12-10, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 in her first match to make the quarterfinals.
Chen Meng of China plays during the Chinese table tennis Olympic simulation tournament in Nanyang, Henan Province, China, May 26, 2021. /CFP
Ten days ago, the all-time leading Chinese team announced its roster for the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games, with Olympic debutant Chen Meng spearheading China's challenge in the women's singles.
Her 20-year-old teammate Sun Yingsha, ranked third in the world, is the only other player to represent China in the Olympic women's singles table tennis, while reigning world champion Liu Shiwen joins them in the team event.
A widely accepted talent from a young age, Chen made her name known to the public over 10 years ago when she defeated world champion Guo Yue in the Chinese team's "Road to Rotterdam" world championships trial.
The 2011 youth worlds' Grand Slam winner of women's team, women's singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles then began to shine on the international stage by denying Liu a China Open crown in 2012.
Liu Shiwen (L) and Xu Xin of China play during the mixed event at the Chinese table tennis Olympic simulation tournament in Nanyang, Henan Province, China, May 26, 2021. /CFP
In the star-stud Chinese team, however, Chen was not admitted as the first-choice player until she took over the No. 1 seat in the world ranking for the first time in January 2018 and claimed the women's World Cup title in 2020.
"The pressure is always there," she said, talking about the feeling of being named in the Olympic roster. "But I've also been ready, as always."
"I like my status today when I was a little bit nervous to pad off the simulation tourney while knowing that I was able to adjust well quickly," she said. "It must be like this when I stand on the Olympic competition floor. I could not be totally relaxed but sure to be playing better and better as the Games go on."
"My goal is to vie for a win, no matter if it's at the Olympic Games or trials like this, or in singles or team events," she added.
The Tokyo Olympic Games table tennis competitions are set to take place from July 24 to August 6 in the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. China has collected 28 out of 32 gold medals on offer since the sport debuted at the Olympics in 1988.