Champion China desk tennis participant slammed for dropping essential Singapore sport after ‘joyfully singing’ at Taylor Swift gig – Cyber Tech

A high desk tennis participant in China who was accused of dropping a world match in Singapore as a result of he attended a Taylor Swift live performance has defended himself by saying he’s simply an peculiar younger man with hobbies.

Fan Zhendong, 27, a former world No 1 ping pong champion, was defeated by his teammate Lin Shidong, 18, on the World Desk Tennis Grand Smash in Singapore initially of March.

The loss meant he was unable to compete within the subsequent spherical for the highest 16 gamers, information outlet Purple Star Information reported.

One other Chinese language participant, Wang Chuqin, received the championship and climbed to first place within the WTT rating. Fan was ranked second due to his failure in Singapore.

A video clip of Fan singing Swift’s well-known track Merciless Summer time, together with the viewers on the live performance, went viral on mainland social media.

Many on-line observers mentioned he ought to have been doing extra coaching earlier than the matches as a substitute of going out and having fun with himself.

In a submit written on Weibo on March 17, Fan admitted he didn’t play nicely at Singaporeand vowed to work tougher sooner or later.

However he additionally defended the three hours of his leisure time he spent going to the present.

“I purchased a ticket from the second-hand market to affix this large occasion that Swifties from everywhere in the world dreamed of,” Fan wrote in his submit.

“I’m an athlete cultivated by my nation. It’s my responsibility to battle for the nation and I’ve by no means slacked on this for greater than 10 years.

“In my off hours, I’m simply an peculiar younger man. I’ve regular hobbies and I’ve my social community. I’ll proceed to be true to my coronary heart underneath the premise of following the legislation and the foundations,” he mentioned.

Fan’s video confirmed him sporting a number of multicoloured friendship bracelets that are usually taken by Swift’s followers to alternate with one another.

The canvas bag he held for carrying a handheld fan and water bottle is painted with pictures of the singer.

Like different enthusiastic supporters of Swift, Fan took movies of the singer on his cell phone all through the live performance and sang alongside along with his idol.

“Music is common. Nice musicians like Taylor Swift carry us therapeutic energy and confidence. Hope everybody can really feel the attraction from her,” mentioned Fan.

His submit has acquired 300,000 likes on Weibo and attracted quite a few supportive feedback.

“You’re an athlete striving laborious in matches, however are additionally a cute particular person outdoors matches. Don’t worry. We’ll at all times facet with you,” one on-line observer wrote.

“Love work and love life. That’s the true Fan Zhendong,” mentioned one other.