I don't recall such an incident. As far as I know, Zhang Ning is known to be very responsible and caring coach, at the LOG she was almost six months pregnant and still insisted on accompanying the team there for coaching instead of staying home. Perhaps, it was Wang Lin's third ACL incident and the previous two cases had caused phobia in her as she herself admitted every time she played, so ZN just wanted to make sure she's not crippled by psychological fear. Of course, if WL couldn't move she would stop and that's what happened. Remember, ZN's relationship with Wang Yihan is very close, almost like mother and daughter.
WYH went over a row with ZN and was punished subsequently by not being selected for team event. Zhang Ning in interviews said it was because she did not listen to coach. Zhao Jianhua commented during a match that she had at least to give face, but she did not. Anyway, I wish I could find back the video of the last game of Wang Lin, it was very cruel, she wanted to stop but Zhang made her try again until she laid on the floor and refused to move. Zhang Ning is famous for being very hard on her, very tough on pain, contrary to XXF, and she might ask the same from the players.
I thought WYH not being selected for team events was Li Yongbo's decision as GC repeatedly said, and I believed Zhang Ning had to be objective and impartial but their relationship, mentor and disciple's, have always been very good. Anyway, I won't read too much into it, the fact that ZJH, ZN and many others including the players, remember WSX's differences with ZN at one time, could speak so freely - that to me is a very good sign of openness, transparency and accountability (hope it's not abused as so often happened everywhere).
Quite possible. Zhang Ning's disappearance from the prominent coaching staff was never fully explained. I think her maternity is only part of the answer.
Today in the South China Morning Post , there was a front-page story about Lang Ping, the female volleyball team coach. In 1982, she won gold as the striker at the Los Angeles olympics. She became a star. At this time, winning a gold was something extraordinary for China, not like today. Then she went to study in the U.S.. She was offered to coach team USA, and she accepted. In Beijing olympic, she lead the U.S. team to gold, beating China on their path. Many in China held her as a traitor at those time. After a few years, everything went bad for female volley, so 2 years ago Chinese officials called Lang Ping to be head coach. She said she is willing to come, but she needs no interference and total freedom. Officials accepted. She then got rid of the military-style training, the door-shut functioning that characterises all Chinese national team, and she invited foreign experts. The next year the team won WC. And this year, the gold at Rio. From traitor, she turned hero. The close-door military-style of coaching. Does that rings a bell?
More rightly said, OUTDATED physical training methods that caused several players prone to injuries and/or short-live in service/playing as well as players lacked in fitness aspect. This was one of several things that got fixed after Lang Ping's 2nd tenure as the head coach (kicked off in 2013) whereas she called in the services of foreign fitness expert and involved "more scientific approaches" in the training methods; ditched those dead woods (Wang Yimei et al) and basically rebuilt the entire team (Lang has been willing to give opportunities to those new potential players in many major competitions incl the latest one, Gong Xiangyu, 19 years old, in Rio 2016 OG), and so on....incl. overhauled the domestic league competitions (iirc). Read it somewhere about these issues but forget where it was
Quite so!... But I should have put the quotation mark about the "military-style coaching", as it's the way she describe it herself.
Agree, Chinese Badminton needs a serious overhaul. Some new, forward thinking leadership. Time to send of the old guard and bring CHN badminton into the new era.
it seems Zhang Jun has a better chance than Cai Yun.. http://sports.qq.com/a/20160930/038711.htm Well, Zhang Jun did win two Olympic gold medals, whilst Cai Yun only got one.. Besides, Zhang Jun has been coaching for a long time, so I guess he deserves it more than Cai Yun.
Zhang Jun again denies he is taking over.. http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/badmin/2016-10-19/doc-ifxwvpar8429138.shtml
I read an article recently where Carolina Marlin coach mentioned about why his charge is now confidently able to beat the Chinese girls - high level tactical awareness vs high physical training and drilling approaches.
*For Chinese viewer only China talk show host Mr. Liang (老梁 ) talked about Li Yongbo and the internal problems of China Badminton Team. Venue: China Recording Time: 1-2 hours prior to the Rio Olympics MS Gold medal match between LCW and CL Highlights of the show: · Li Yongbo's authoritarian management with no accountability · Li Yongbo’s accomplishment and success during his 23 years tenure as the skipper of China Badminton team · Li Yongbo’s abuse of power · Sponsorship funds and monetary awards from within and outside China went unaccounted for after 1996 Atlanta Olympics · A petition filed by Li Mao and Ye Zhaoying forwarded to China Sports Ministry against Li Yongbo over misappropriated sponsorship funds and monetary awards in 1998 · China Sports Ministry found no wrongdoings and dismissed the case · Grudge and rift deepened between Li Yongbo and Li Mao including Li Lingwei · Li Mao subsequently became coach in Malaysia and South Korea · Li Yongbo warned against any badminton body including local Zhejiang badminton team in connection to Li Mao · Li Yongbo’s favouritism over selection of players towards his local Lioaning badminton team · Zhou Mi dissatisfied and conceded the match to Zhang Ning during 2004 Athens Olympics under team order · Zhou Mi's went to Malaysia in 2006 and sparred with Malaysia women single Wong Mew Choo · Zhou Mi succumbed to pressure from Li Yongbo · Zhou Mi left Malaysia and became coach in Hong Kong · Match fixing scandals at the London Olympics involved Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli including other pair from South Korea · The triangle love affair between Zhao Yunlei, Zhang Nan and Tian Qing at Rio Olympics · Chen Long’s unwillingness to conduct post game interview with China media at Rio Olympics · Yu Yang frustrated and threw a towel in front of her Double coach during a match at Rio Olympics · China general public dissatisfied with Li Yongbo and the image of China Badminton team at Rio Olympics · More match fixing comments among top China players especially LD conceding matches to teammates over the duration of his career · Post match comments on the SF match between LD and LCW at Rio Olympics · CL lacked in big match mentality compared to LD in reference to the crucial loss to SWH in the 2016 Thomas cup
Mr. Liang talked and covered a wide scope of topics more than what I have indicated in the highlights aforementioned. Sorry, i am unable to provide a translation due to unforeseen circumstances. Best thing to do is have your Chinese friend translated to you.
He mainly said that 23 years is too long for LYB at his position, he was doomed to have a wrong behavior, like everything was his own. His fault began with Li Mao, an old comrade who became enemy when this last one complained to the authority about LYB's management of the team's resources. After that there was the shameful practices of match fixing, then the Zhao-Zhang-Tian love affair. They all showed that LYB was blind to the outside world.
