What kind of ball is our country’s national sport?

China’s national sport is table tennis.

The reason why China regards table tennis as its national sport is because China’s first sports world champion was the table tennis champion won by Rong Guotuan. Therefore, the Chinese people were very excited. From then on, table tennis Football is very popular in China and has become China’s de facto national sport.

1. Reasons why table tennis became the national sport

1. China’s table tennis has won great honors for the country.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Chairman Mao Zedong called for “developing sports and enhancing people’s physical fitness.” Table tennis has been well developed throughout the country. In 1959, table tennis player Rong Guotuan won China's first world championship! The world is paying attention! Chinese people are inspired! Since then, table tennis in China has continued to flourish. The number of gold medals ranked first in the world in the three major world table tennis events. By 2005, China had won 143.5 championships, including 100.5 at the World Championships, 27 at the World Cup, and 16 at the Olympics. Moreover, it has won all 7 gold cups in the World Championships three times and all 4 gold medals in the Olympic Games twice.

2. Table tennis is very popular in China and is loved by Chinese people.

The conditions for the development of table tennis are not harsh and can be participated in. Men, women, old and young can fight, they can fight all over the world, they can fight indoors and outdoors, they can fight whether they have money or not. If the conditions are good, you can play on a high-end table. You can also play on a cement table in poor condition. If you don’t have a table, you can also play on a few tables put together. If the weather is good, you can play in the open air. If there is strong wind and snow, you can play in a small room.

Moreover, table tennis is a whole-body exercise, which can strengthen the body, brain and heart. Compared with sports such as football and basketball, there is no direct physical confrontation and you can control the amount of exercise, which is very conducive to popularization.

3. Table tennis has contributed to China’s long-term peace and stability.

On April 4, 1971, American player Cohen accidentally caught a ride with Chinese players. Zhuang Zedong took the initiative to present a Hangzhou brocade embroidered with the Huangshan scenery to Cohen. Cohen later gave Zhuang Zedong a belt. Sweatshirt with peace sign. This dramatic incident immediately became sensational news. On April 7, Mao Zedong decided to invite the American team to visit China on the eve of the closing of the competition. Nixon immediately agreed to the Chinese invitation.

In the spring of 1971, the U.S. table tennis delegation made a historic visit to China. A friendly table tennis match between China and the United States was held in Beijing, but the political impact it left spread to both sides of the Pacific. , opened the door for exchanges between the Chinese and American people and diplomatic breakthroughs between China and the United States. This is what Premier Zhou Enlai called "ping-pong diplomacy" in which the small ball pushes the big ball. When commemorating the 35th anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy, the People's Daily commented that by reviewing "Ping Pong Diplomacy", people realize that friendship between people can change the world and create history.

After "ping pong diplomacy", more than 100 countries established diplomatic relations with my country from 1971 to 1979. Especially in 1971, the United Nations General Assembly passed the restoration of my country's legal seat in the United Nations with 76 votes in favor. Therefore, some people praise China as "the little silver ball that turns the earth."

2. Examples of national sports in other countries

1. The United States and Japan: Baseball

In the United States, baseball is the national sport, while American football is the most popular It is the highest, and basketball can only be ranked third. Modern baseball is also said to have been formed by a mixture of British cricket and some local American sports. After baseball was introduced to Japan in 1873, it quickly became popular in Japan!

2. Canada, Russia: Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is widely spread in Canada, Russia and other regions, and is also regarded as a national sport by these countries. There are different opinions on the origin of ice hockey. One theory is that it originated in Canada and evolved from a native Canadian ice sport; another theory is that it evolved from lacrosse.

3. Brazil: Football

Many people actually don’t know the origin of football. Ancient football did indeed originate in China. It was first invented by the Qi State during the Warring States Period and was first used as training for soldiers. Modern football originated in England. It was also caused by the war at the beginning, but at first it was played with human skulls, and later it was replaced with cow bladders. Due to Brazilians' enthusiasm for football, it is currently regarded as Brazil's national sport.

4. Britain and India: Cricket

Maybe Chinese people really know less about cricket, and it is the national sport of Britain, India and other places. Cricket is known as a "gentleman's game". It originated in England and can be traced back to the 12th century. In its early days, it was known as a noble sport. Therefore, it makes sense for the pretentious British to list it as a national sport.

5. Indonesia and Malaysia: badminton

Badminton is currently regarded as the national sport by Indonesia and Malaysia. The badminton level of these two countries has always been among the best in the world. The origin of badminton also has nothing to do with these two countries. It originated in China, India and other places more than 2,000 years ago, and modern badminton was invented by the British inspired by the Pune game in India.

6. Lithuania: Basketball

Many people mistakenly believe that basketball is the national sport of the United States. In fact, it is not. It is the authentic national sport in Lithuania. The reason why there is this illusion is that basketball did originate in the United States.

In 1891, American James Naismith invented basketball, so this is why the Basketball Hall of Fame is also called the "Naismith Hall of Fame"!

Reference for the above information? Baidu Encyclopedia-National Football