This city is home to one of the largest and most renowned table tennis centres in the world — and is also the training base of the Chinese national team, known for producing the world’s top players.
Table Tennis is not just a sport in China, it’s an obsession and a huge source of national pride. Few countries have dominated any sport in the way that China has dominated table tennis. Their absolute commitment to excellence starts in their training camps, where young players train harder, for longer, and with greater intensity than anywhere else in the world.
For London Academy’s players, travelling across the world to the Weihai Olympic Training centre, meant stepping up to a whole new level.
In their first week they would face lengthy training sessions with a higher level of intensity, and a culture the expects punctuality, excellent behaviour, discipline and 100% respect for coaches and the training environment.
In the United Kingdom, our players are used to dominating competitions wherever they go. China would be a different experience entirely and a real test of character. Here, they would face opponents and training partners of a much higher quality than ever before. Having gotten used to being the best in the UK, now they would be facing some of the most highly trained youngsters in the entire world.
Week One Overview
Our students have made a strong and determined start to what has proven to be a highly intensive and challenging camp. By the end of just the second day, many players were already experiencing muscle soreness and fatigue—testament to the demanding nature of the training.
However, this intensity is exactly what sets Chinese players apart on the global stage. The discipline, structure, and work ethic observed here offer invaluable lessons to our students.
Training Approach
The camp has been a masterclass not only in skill development but in the approach and attitude that defines elite Chinese table tennis:
- Structured Warm-Ups: Each session begins with a meticulously planned series of warm-up exercises, ensuring players are physically and mentally prepared.
- Repetitive Drilling: Morning sessions focus on a core set of drills, repeated daily to refine technique and consistency.
- Multi-Ball Exercises: Afternoon sessions feature intensive multi-ball drills. Players feed balls to each other—a method that ensures every student gets maximal training time and improves their ability to coach and support peers.
- Technical Focus: Many exercises may appear basic, but their effectiveness lies in their precision and repetition. Practice, here, truly makes perfect.
Competition Experience
To cap off the week, students participated in a friendly competition against several high-level local clubs. While our players did not win many matches, several came extremely close boosting their confidence and highlighting their rapid progress. The experience of playing against such strong opponents was invaluable and will serve as a foundation for the week ahead.
Hospitality & Facilities
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the host club in Weihai for their exceptional hospitality:
- From a warm welcome at the airport with private shuttle service, to accommodation at a five-star standard hotel just 50 meters from the training facility.
- The training complex itself is world-class—capable of hosting over 1,000 players at once across four interconnected halls.
- Meals have been varied and inclusive, offering both traditional Chinese dishes and familiar Western options to keep students energised and comfortable.
Looking Ahead
The first week has been intense, inspiring, and full of growth. We look forward to seeing how our students apply what they’ve learned in the coming days. With the right mindset and continued effort, this camp has the potential to be a transformative experience for each one of them.