by Simon Daish

Simulation Games draw to thrilling conclusion in Lingshui

Last week we brought you news from the Tokyo 2020 Preparation for China Table Tennis – Olympic Simulation Games in Lingshui City, highlighting Liang Jingkun and Sun Yingsha’s singles successes. One week on it’s the team events that took the spotlight.

In the race for men’s team glory the top step of the podium was reserved by Fan Zhendong, Xu Xin and Ma Long. You can relive the story of the final here.

The trio of Chen Meng, Wang Manyu and Sun Yingsha emerged victorious in the women’s team event. Read the story of the final here.

Patkar and Batra recognised for sporting excellence

Following in the footsteps of many a prestigious name before her, Madhurika Patkar has been recognised for her outstanding achievement in sport with confirmation of the Arjuna Award.

Manika Batra has also been honoured for her services toward sport, receiving the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour. Congratulations to Madhurika and Manika!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Thank you for all your wishes and support. 🇮🇳🏓❤️

A post shared by Manika 👑 (@manikabatra.15) on Aug 24, 2020 at 11:59pm PDT

Upping the pace

Fans will undoubtedly know by now that the professional club season is closing in fast – unsurprisingly the pros have been pushing themselves hard.

Making up for lost time in the early months of the year, players are taking full advantage of valuable table time as they attempt to fine tune their game in search of peak performance:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A bit of this morning training session 🏓🇵🇹 @academy.t.t.portugal #tabletennis #pingpong #vamos

A post shared by Tiago Apolónia – Table Tennis (@tiagoapolonia) on Aug 20, 2020 at 6:45am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#trainingcamp in #budapest #workinghard #pracawre #tabletennis #pingpong #nationalteam #teampoland #roadtotokyo2021 #teamciti

A post shared by Natalia Partyka (@npartyka) on Aug 22, 2020 at 3:08am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A little bit of ping-pong 🏓️

A post shared by Maria Xiao (@mariaxiao) on Aug 22, 2020 at 3:28am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Preparing for the final tournament of „Düsseldorf Masters“ 🏓💥 @dang_qiu @butterflyttofficial @ttindeutschland

A post shared by Patrick Franziska (@patrickfranziska) on Aug 21, 2020 at 3:35am PDT

Meanwhile, two of the sport’s, now retired, all-time greats Jean-Michel Saive and Jörg Rosskopf have been keeping active while taking in the views.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Mont Ventoux 2 #sault #beactive #keepfit #cycling

A post shared by Saive Jean-Michel (@saivejean_michel) on Aug 22, 2020 at 8:27am PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Gestern hatte ich einen schönen Tag mit @eaglescharity im Golfclub Saarbrücken #eaglescharity #golfclubsaarbrücken #golf #tischtennis

A post shared by Jörg Roßkopf (@joergrosskopf) on Aug 23, 2020 at 2:04am PDT

Enjoying the fresh air

What else have the stars been up to away from the action?

Thiago Monteiro embraced his athletic ability, making light work of a huge sandy hill during his vacation in Lacanau, France:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Saudades da férias! Podia ser em Sabiaguaba mas era Lacanau. #dunas #tododiaedia #fitness #projetoverao

A post shared by Thiago Monteiro (@thiagomonteirott) on Aug 21, 2020 at 2:34am PDT

Another Brazilian star, Bruna Takahashi has been hitting the great outdoors with a new form of transport:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Do you want a ride?🤷🏼‍♀️

A post shared by Bruna takahashi (@_brunatakahashi) on Aug 20, 2020 at 1:37pm PDT

Mima Ito has also been out and about enjoying the wonderful sights of Japan:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

夏っ海っっ🏖🕶👒👗♡

A post shared by Mima Ito 伊藤美誠 (@mima_ito) on Aug 22, 2020 at 7:48am PDT

While Marcos Freitas and his father visited the magnificent Portuguese city of Braga:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Sunday with dad visiting the beautiful city of Braga.

A post shared by Marcos Freitas (@marcosfreitaspt) on Aug 23, 2020 at 8:28am PDT