Core Summary
This article explores the issue of "professionalism" in the sports world through various incidents, such as a young table tennis player hitting another player, a former member of the national football team slapping a younger player, and an experienced goalkeeper deliberately injuring someone. True professionalism goes beyond just being skilled; it also involves respecting opponents, following rules, and remaining calm regardless of the outcome. When performance declines, underlying issues that were masked by success are exposed. The key to solving these problems lies in making professional behavior a habit.
1. The Table Tennis Incident: Anger That Can't Be Concealed Sparks Nationwide Controversy
During the semi-finals of the Jiangsu Provincial Youth Table Tennis Championship for the 14-year-old group, Cao Yanhao lost the first two games and was then defeated 0-11 in the third game by He Ruichen. After shaking hands, Cao suddenly punched He and kicked him in the thigh, causing severe injuries that prevented He from competing in the next round.
The punishment imposed by the Jiangsu Table Tennis Association was a public reprimand, cancellation of his qualification for this event, and a one-year ban from competition within the province. However, netizens were outraged, arguing that such a blatant act of violence deserved a much heavier penalty. Some even questioned whether it constituted a crime, wondering if a one-year ban was sufficient for injuring someone.
2. Should "Hair-Taking" (A Gentle Form of Giving Points) Be Allowed?
Some netizens argued that there is an unwritten rule against "hair-taking" (giving an advantage by allowing the opponent to score one point), suggesting that He deserved to be beaten for being careless. However, the author countered:
- In top-level competitions, players like Chen Meng, Ma Long, and Sun Yingsha have all taken points from their opponents (for example, Sun Yingsha against Zhang Benmei). This is a common practice.
- The last point was simply a missed shot by Cao; it wasn't He who refused to give the point. If you want others to be lenient, you must first perform at a high level yourself.
- Competitive sports require seriousness: Germany beating Brazil 5-1 won't stop them from playing further, and so will Bayern Munich beating Barcelona 5-1. Every point should be fought for as a sign of respect for both opponents and fans. Therefore, giving points is a matter of courtesy, and refusing to do so indicates a lack of professionalism.
3. Old Problems in the Sports World: Technical Proficiency Does Not Equal Professionalism
The article cites two additional examples:
- A former member of the national football team slapping a younger player during training; some argued that strict coaches produce better players. Ironically, this former player, Shen Si, was imprisoned for match fixing and banned for life but later returned to coaching youth teams. While his skills may have been professional, his attitude was not.
- The veteran goalkeeper Shi Lianzhi accidentally injured Zhang Yong from Shanghai Shenhua 31 years ago, claiming it wasn't intentional, and was subsequently banned for a year. He failed to recognize his mistake and even thought the football association didn't understand the game. These are examples of how a lack of professionalism leads to repeated mistakes.
4. True Professionalism: Attitude Is More Important Than Skill
The author emphasizes that professionalism goes beyond just being skilled; it includes the following qualities:
- Accepting Losses: Being able to stand after being beaten, reflecting on one's skills instead of resorting to violence.
- Following Rules: Not intentionally injuring opponents during matches or being violent with players during training.
- Coping with Pressure: Remaining calm under long-term competition stress and maintaining a steady performance despite consecutive losses.
- Making It a Habit: Turning professional behavior into a daily routine.
5. The Warning of Declining Performance: Don't Let Attitude Hold You Back
Recently, Chinese table tennis has seen poor results, with the men's singles team failing to qualify in major tournaments. The author points out that declining performance is not the worst part; what's truly frightening is the exposure of underlying issues (such as a lack of professionalism) that were previously hidden by success. People often say, "Let professionals do professional work," but if the attitude is not right, even exceptional skills are useless. Behaviors like losing control and using violent training methods can ruin an athlete's career and lower the overall level of the sport.
In summary, this article illustrates that professionalism in sports is about more than just being able to win; it's about having the right mindset—about accepting losses, following rules, and maintaining a sense of integrity. Only by making these qualities a habit can athletes achieve greater success.