Wang Manyu withdrew from the 2023 Asian Table Tennis Championships due to a sudden change in his family and returned home alone at the airport.
The news left many fans heartbroken and surprised, and also sparked a heated debate about the balance between career and family as athletes.
As the main player of the Chinese national table tennis team, Wang Manyu has always been regarded as a hexagonal warrior with comprehensive skills and strong strength.
Life isn't always smooth sailing.
This is the third time that Wang Manyu has recently withdrawn due to family reasons, and people can't help but sigh: even top athletes can't escape the test of life!
The Asian Championships was originally scheduled to be held in Pyeongchang-gun, Korea, in September 2023, and the Chinese team and other Asian teams are fully prepared.
Just as the game was about to start, the news of Wang Manyu's retirement was like a bombshell, causing a lot of shock in the table tennis world.
Some netizens said: Wang Manyu's withdrawal from the competition this time is really distressing and helpless.
As an athlete, she has given too much for national honor; As a daughter, she has to share her family's worries.
This dilemma, I am afraid that only she herself can experience the pain of tearing.
We should be understanding and supportive, after all, the health and well-being of our families is the most important thing.
Hopefully, she can solve her family problems as soon as possible and return to competition as soon as possible.
Looking back at Wang's recent retirement history, it is not difficult to see that her family seems to have been in an eventful situation.
In the team competition of the 2022 Chengdu World Table Tennis Championships, she withdrew from the competition due to her father's sudden illness and surgery; At the 2023 World Table Tennis Championships in Durban, he was unable to participate because his mother fell and needed to be taken care of.
This time, the Asian Championships once again withdrew due to family changes, although the specific reason has not been disclosed, but it is not difficult to imagine her inner torment.
A netizen commented: Some people say that Wang Manyu lacks a sense of responsibility and affects the honor of the country.
I think this statement is too one-sided.
Athletes are also human beings, and they also have families and affection.
Think about it, what would we do if our own parents were sick?
I'm afraid I'll put down what I'm doing right away and rush home.
It is not easy for Wang Manyu to make such a difficult choice between national honor and family responsibility.
Instead of blaming her, give her more understanding and support.
There are also those who hold a different view.
Some netizens said: I understand Wang Manyu's situation, but as a professional athlete, she should better balance her family and career.
Withdrawing from the tournament three times in a row due to family reasons will indeed affect the overall layout and game strategy of the national team.
Perhaps she could consider retiring from the national team for a while and returning to play when family issues are resolved.
This allows you to take care of your family without compromising the overall interests of the team.
Wang's story has also raised questions about the balance between career and family responsibilities.
According to a veteran sports commentator, the golden age of athletes is short, and missing out on an important event can affect an entire career.
There is no substitute for the importance of family.
How to find a balance between the two is not only a problem for Wang Manyu, but also something that all professional athletes need to think about.
Perhaps sports authorities could consider setting up mechanisms to provide more support to athletes when they are experiencing family difficulties to help them get through the storm.
Wang Manyu's retirement undoubtedly had a big impact on the Chinese team.
As a regular player, her absence meant the team needed to readjust their tactical arrangements.
The Chinese table tennis team has always been known for its overall strength, and I believe that other team members will also go all out to achieve good results.
Some netizens optimistically said: Although Wang Manyu's withdrawal is a pity, I believe that this may become an opportunity for other young players to stand out.
China's table tennis reserve force is abundant, maybe there will be rookies in this competition!
Let's look forward to the best of the game.
Although Wang Manyu is temporarily unable to compete, her past achievements are still impressive.
As the gold medalist of the women's team at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, she proved her worth with her strength.
I believe that after this ordeal, she will become stronger and will definitely return to the competition in better shape in the future.
A psychology expert analyzed: Continuous family changes will definitely have an impact on Wang Manyu's psychological state.
This experience could also be an opportunity for her to grow.
If she can handle these difficulties correctly, she may be more mature and steady in the future.
We should give her enough time and space to adjust herself.
For Wang Manyu's future, fans have expressed their best wishes.
Some people say: I hope Wang Manyu can solve his family problems as soon as possible and return to the game as soon as possible.
We will always have your back!
It is also said that no matter what choice you make, we respect it.
Health and family are the most important things, and the game can be played again at any time, but there is no substitute for family affection.
The retirement has also sparked a discussion about the humane management of athletes.
Some experts suggest that more counselling and family support services for athletes may be considered to help them better balance their professional and private lives.
An athlete who is physically and mentally healthy can perform at their best on the field.
Although Wang Manyu's retirement is regrettable, it also shows us the side of athletes as ordinary people.
No one is immune to life's difficulties and challenges.
What matters is how you face these challenges and draw strength from them.
Let us wish Wang Manyu a speedy way out of the predicament and find the perfect balance between career and family.
I look forward to the day when we can see the wonderful performance of this hexagonal warrior again in the arena and win glory for the country!
As one netizen said: Wang Manyu, we are waiting for you!
No matter how long it takes, there's always a place for you.
The troubles of the family will eventually pass, but your skills and spirit will always be the precious wealth of Chinese table tennis.
Once you've rested and adjusted, you'll come back with a lot of energy.
We will continue to support you and cheer you on!