A recent medical case study presentation by Dr. Zhang Lewei, senior team doctor of the China national team, has gone viral—it featured Wang Chuqin as the patient. This case shed light on some of the unseen challenges Wang faced during the Paris Olympics, which might help explain his unexpected early exit from the men’s singles. The mysterious injury had been troubling him for a long time (and let’s not forget that his racket was broken by on-set photojournalists just mins after his mixed doubles championship).
But here’s the kicker: this story likely only scratches the surface. It hints at deeper, possibly under-the-radar challenges Wang may have encountered that remain hidden from public view.
About the Viral Footage
This case study was presented at the 2nd China Chiropractic and Spine Health Summit in Shanghai on November 2, 2024, by Dr. Zhang Lewei (张乐伟), senior team doctor of the China national team and Director of the Institute of Sports Medicine, General Administration of Sport of China.
The presentation detailed a critical case involving Wang Chuqin during the Paris Olympics. Despite the intensity of the competition, neither Wang nor the coaching staff reported any major injuries, aside from persistent tightness in his triceps. Dr. Zhang’s examination revealed severe muscle stiffness, diagnosed as a triceps spasm linked to cervical spine issues—pretty similar to the injury former table tennis champion Zhang Jike suffered at the London Olympics 12 years ago. When acupuncture and physical therapy failed, Dr. Zhang performed targeted nerve adjustments in the cervical spine area, leading to an 80% improvement in Wang’s condition shortly after. Just goes to show the impact of the right treatment at the right time.
And More?
This case isn’t just about Wang's injury, it also highlights the critical importance of accurate diagnosis and timely treatment for elite athletes, especially on the world stage. In the wake of this presentation, a previously ignored piece of Wang's injury story from the documentary *Blossom in Paris: China National Table Tennis Team – More Than Champions* (released by China Central Television in August, likely filmed in June) gained new significance. The documentary revealed that Wang had been experiencing a persistent and mysterious body pain that may have started earlier this year. Instead of proper medical attention, his coach seemingly brushed off the injury as something “normal” and he needed to simply “push through.” With everyone on the CNT, including Wang himself, maintaining near-silence about the matter, who knows what else might be hidden beneath the surface?
[Cut from the original footage: Blossom in Paris (no Eng subtitle)](https://youtu.be/Vd6SmvuIQyA)
Cut from the original footage: Blossom in Paris (no Eng subtitle)
These revelations raise serious questions about potential negligence or lapses in the coaching and support staff of the Chinese national team. Did these medical oversights directly affect Wang's Olympic performance, which fell short of his pre-Olympic form? Could more have been done earlier? For now, these questions remain unanswered.