Table tennis Olympic champion Ding Ning and rising star Sun Yingsha came to the limelight at the Chinese National Games with Ding winning all her six matches and Sun triumphing in five of her six matches in women's team competitions.
Ding and Sun answered the most asked questions from fans on Wednesday after Ding led team Beijing into semifinals while Sun's Hebei side was eliminated by team Heilongjiang.
Question 1: Who do you miss most when you're out of town for matches?
Ding: "I would like to say there is no one to miss when you're in any event. You have to focus."
Sun: "Nobody actually."
It really matters to be concentrated on the matches for top athletes.
Question 2: Do you brush your own sneakers?
Ding: "not really."
Sun: "Yes, I do that for myself."
Question 3: Who do you prefer to be your roommate when you leave home to attend events?
Ding: "I usually have a room to myself."
Sun: "It's her." Sun pointed at a girl on her side. "Her name is Xu Jiying (Sun's teammate in Hebei delegation) and all my fans know her."
It seems the renowned player is better accommodated.
Question 4: What you have to take with you in your travels?
Ding: "Table tennis bat for sure."
Sun: "Power strip."
Question 5: "What's the thing you must do overnight in your match day?"
Ding: "Sleep."
Sun: "It is sleep for sure."
Question 6: What do you like to do off training?
Ding: "Eating. I like to eat anything tasty."
Sun: "I would prefer to stay in my room, reading and sleeping."
Eating and sleeping seem to be things welcomed by girls.
Question 7: What has made you feel proud of yourself recently?
Ding: "My teammates and I had an outing prior to the National Games and I had made great barbecue. And being named the flag bearer of Beijing delegation in the National Games is another one."
Sun: "It's the Japan Open for sure. I did a good job there." Sun won the singles and women's doubles in the Japan Open on June as a 17-year-old player.
Question 8: Who's your idol?
Ding: "On what field? If it's for table tennis, I'd like to say sister Ning (former world No. 1 Zhang Yining, two-time Olympic singles champion)."
Sun: "For now it's Ma Long and Zhang Jike." Ma is the reigning champion in the National Games and Rio Olympics gold medalist, while Zhang Jike is the London Olympics champion.
Question 9: What's your wish?
Ding: "I hope I can do good in the National Games."
Sun: "I wish I can accomplish the Grand Slam, winning the Olympics, world championships and World Cup."
The 27-year-old Ding had already completed her Grand Slam after winning the Rio Olympics last year, but has not been able to lift the National Games title yet. Sun has just started her senior campaign as a prospective player, so they all tell right what's in their minds.
Question 10: What comes to your mind first when Tianjin is mentioned?
Ding: "Snacks. Refreshments. But I have not got time to try them yet."
Sun: "Tianjin National Games."
