SEA GAMES 2019: TABLE TENNIS PHILIPPINES VERSUS VIETNAM

A VIDEO ANALYSIS

Richard Gonzales is a multiple medalist at the Southeast Asian Games in Table Tennis,
winning Silver both at the 2005 and the recently concluded 2015 edition, and bronze at
the 2009 and 2013 editions all in Men's Singles Event. He won bronze along with Rodel Valle at
the men's double event of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games. Aside from the Southeast Asian
Games, he also reigned at the 2005 Southeast Asian Table Tennis Championship winning Gold.
Outside Southeast Asia, Gonzales has represented the Philippines at the 2014 World
Championship of Ping Pong winning bronze after bowing out to Maxim Shmyrev in the
semifinal. Gonzales along with Ian Lariba were the Philippines' representatives at the 2014
World Team Table Tennis Championships.

In the video presented, multiple techniques and strategies were applied for Gonzales to
defeat his opponent. His footwork was not too quick or in hurry but also not slow. His grip on
the racket is obviously not too tight because it might be the reason that can make you exert more
force on hitting the ball. He also ensures that the ball was on the side of the table and then goes
over the net and bounces at least twice on his opponent’s side of the table. He also stands close
and facing to the table and take a low stance. His arm were obviously relaxed and the wrist were
loose and his free arm was pointed towards the ball that possibly to assist his balance. That were
all been flashed in the video. There is also a long fast serve that he executed that makes the ball
bounces first close to his own end line and then it bounces close enough to his opponent’s end
line. It was an amazing and breathtaking game since it was 11/11 and the last hit might be his
lose if he executed one wrong little move.