Wang Chunqi and Sun Yingsha participated in mixed doubles

Day 6 of the World Table Tennis Federation's (WTT) Star Player Championship in Lanzhou, China was marked by high-octane mixed doubles action. The tournament saw some intense matches, none more so than the semifinals where Wang Chunqi and Sun Yingsha narrowly fell short of reaching the finals.

The duo faced off against Lin Shidong and Kui Man in their semifinal match. Despite putting up a fierce fight, they were defeated with a score of 2-3. This loss was met with disappointment from fans on social media platform Weibo, where Wang Chunqi and Sun Yingsha have gained a large following for their impressive performances throughout the tournament.

Online Reactions

Weibo, China's version of Twitter, has been abuzz with reactions to the mixed doubles semifinals. While disappointed, fans expressed admiration for the athletes' dedication and tenacity, acknowledging that participating in such high-level competitions is no easy feat. Many fans used words like "卓越" (superb) and "优秀" (excellent) to describe Wang Chunqi and Sun Yingsha's performance.

One fan, @SunYingda's sister, shared a video showcasing Sun Yingsha's impressive cartwheel attack during her doubles semifinal second set against Lin Shidong and Kui Man. The video has garnered thousands of views and likes, with fans praising her agility and skillful play.

However, not all reactions were positive. Some netizens criticized the lack of rest for athletes after the Hangzhou Asian Games. Wang Chunqi and Sun Yingsha have already competed in seven gold medal matches at the games, and they are scheduled to compete in men's singles and mixed doubles again tomorrow and women's singles on Wednesday. Fans worry that this overwhelming schedule may lead to exhaustion and potential injury for the athletes.

Additionally, there was some discussion about Wang Chunqi receiving oxygen before his match due to high altitude at the competition venue. Some fans joked that they too would suffer from oxygen deficiency in similar conditions, while others expressed concern about the athlete's health and wellbeing.

Inflammatory Remarks

A few netizens used the opportunity to voice their discontent with the WTT World Table Tennis Federation and its scheduling decisions. One user @WTT World Table Tennis Association called out the organization for pushing athletes to their limits, questioning whether it was fair to expect them to continue competing so soon after the Asian Games.

Another user @SashaHead joked about quitting early to avoid excessive exertion, while another criticized those who focused too much on gift-giving instead of considering the athletes' wellbeing.

Despite the disappointment and criticism, Wang Chunqi and Sun Yingsha's dedication and skill were widely recognized by fans. The pair's journey to the semifinals was praised by many as a testament to their hard work and resilience. They will continue to be in the spotlight as they compete in the remaining matches of the WTT Star Player Championship, inspiring hope for future victories.