by Simon Daish

Season concludes in Hungarian and Portuguese leagues

Following the return of club activity in a number of countries across Europe, the race for domestic silverware wrapped up in Hungary and Portugal over the past week.

The Hungarian club campaign has officially drawn to a close with PTE PEAC Kalo-Méh I and SH-ITB Budaörs 2i SC taking home the respective men’s and women’s titles:

 

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🥇🏆❣️ #extraliga #finalfour #budaörs

A post shared by Nagyváradi Mercédesz (@nagyvaradimerci) on Jun 30, 2020 at 4:08am PDT

Over in Portugal the top honours once again went to Sporting CP, lifting the trophy for a fifth time in the club’s history:

 

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Somos Pentacampeões nacionais!!! Passado uns largos 4 meses sem poder competir e 2 meses em quarentena sem poder treinar voltámos à competição para terminar o play off do campeonato nacional onde vencemos o Toledos por 3-0 na final!! Quero agradecer ao meu grande amigo e companheiro de equipa @quadriaruna por estes anos no Sporting e desejar-lhe a maior sorte na sua nova equipa!! 🦁🏓🏆🥇

A post shared by Diogo Carvalho (@diogo_carvalho92) on Jul 6, 2020 at 7:49am PDT

Exploring the great outdoors

Away from the action, some of the stars have been soaking up the sights out and about in nature.

Jeoung Youngsik has been enjoying some quality family time, participating in a spot of fishing with his parents:

 

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휴가 부모님과 낚시😊#정영식#탁구#탁구국가대표#철원#낚시#힐링👍

A post shared by 정영식 Jeoung youngsik (@jeoung_youngsik) on Jul 6, 2020 at 8:00am PDT

Giorgia Piccolin made the most out of coffee time with a wonderful backdrop to take in:

 

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☕

A post shared by Giorgia Piccolin (@giorgiapiccolin) on Jul 4, 2020 at 5:58am PDT

While Omar Assar and Panagiotis Gionis also embraced the great outdoors:

 

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🍀❤️

A post shared by Omar Assar عمر عصر (@omarassar) on Jul 5, 2020 at 9:04am PDT

 

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A post shared by Panagiotis Gionis (@panagiotis__gionis) on Jul 5, 2020 at 8:52am PDT

Going all out and sparring with the stars

The stars continue to go all out in their off-season training regime with plenty of fitness-related posts being uploaded during the week.

Leaving no stone unturned Cheng I-Ching has been working on her lower-body strength, showing off her mighty weighted-squat routine:

 

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又是新的一週👊教練跟我一起飛起來了哈哈😄大家一起加油 – 制定自己想要成為的樣子，直到達成目標，絕不放棄👊 #怡靜的一週 #workhard #鄭怡靜 #chengiching #training #👊

A post shared by Cheng I Ching🏓鄭怡靜-Table tennis (@chengiching.tt) on Jul 6, 2020 at 6:25am PDT

Elizabeta Samara also posted a progress update from the gym. I think it’s safe to say the Romanian is pumped for the action to return:

 

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Monday’s situation: one less gym session😇! #active #intervals #goforit

A post shared by @ eliza04samara on Jul 6, 2020 at 3:15am PDT

Cedric Nuytinck is pushing himself hard, looking to reach peak condition ahead of the new season:

 

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Getting back in top Shape!!! Blij dat ik opnieuw mijn fysieke trainingen kan doen. Wat heb ik dit gemist 🙏🏼 Get ready for next Season Cause i will Come back stronger than ever💪🏼😤 #traceyouonlyhaveonebody #peterduyck #tibharcrew #gvhennebont #roadtotokyo2020 #killypong #topshapesoon #beastofbelgium

A post shared by Cedric Nuytinck (@nuytinckcedric) on Jul 5, 2020 at 3:56am PDT

On the table Heming Hu has proven that the backhand isn’t always required, just a simple hand-switch will suffice:

 

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Using backhand is overrated 😅

A post shared by Heming Hu – Table Tennis (@heming_hu21) on Jul 6, 2020 at 4:03am PDT

There is also an excellent opportunity to train with one of the pros as Britt Eerland is looking for a sparring partner – could you or someone you know be sparring with Britt sometime soon?

 

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-> looking for a sparring partner <- Tag yourself or somebody who you think could help me out! – – – As many people know i need sparringpartners to practise in Holland/Rotterdam. Normally i have many contacts but during these strange times its hard to arrange. So this is my last resource and I hope you guys can help me out! Preferable from 13th of july. – – – Thank you!

A post shared by Britt Eerland (@britteerland) on Jul 5, 2020 at 5:10am PDT

Many happy returns

Bringing us to a close in this week’s edition of Player Watch we have a couple of birthday celebrations to report.

First of all, Shin Yubin enjoyed her Sweet 16th on Sunday:

 

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16번째 생일💖🎂 생일 축하해주신 모든 분들 감사합니다🥰 #16번째생일 #감사합니다

A post shared by 신유빈 SHIN YUBIN 🎀 (@shin_yubin_) on Jul 4, 2020 at 11:29pm PDT

While Nigerian star and reigning African Games champion Olajide Omotayo celebrates his 25th today:

 

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I’m another year older,wiser,stronger and happier 🎂🎂🎂…. #loveyourself #cancer #birthday #rome #italy #auguri

A post shared by olajide omotayo (@officialolajideomotayo) on Jul 5, 2020 at 3:35pm PDT