It was a match the attending spectators will not forget so quickly.
The Chinese team already looked like the loser, but its last player Yan
An somehow found a way back to overcome Japan’s Koki Niwa in the
decisive fifth match.
The reason why Yan won in the end is
probably the much-sited Chinese self-confidence. However, another
explanation might be the good vibrations around his neck from a product
a made in Japan.
Asian Product also Popular in Europe
During
the team match against Japan, Yan An wore a necklace. Vanity was not
the reason why the U15 world number one had this product of a Japanese
company with him, but rather the belief in it. The manufacturer of this
titanium infused necklaces promises a balanced flow of energy
throughout the body and a better regeneration after sport.
The
doubtful products are not only known in Asia. In the European country
Switzerland for instance, sport stars like one time K-1 World Grand
Prix Champion Andy Hug (martial art), former soccer national keeper
Pascal Zuberbühler as well as the tennis queen of the late 1990s
Martina Hingis placed great confidence in bracelets and necklaces from
the Far East.
Superstition, Hocus Pocus or Real Help?
The
impact of these necklaces has ever been proved scientifically. However,
already the belief in it can help someone to perform better; it is the
so-called placebo effect.
Fact is that Yan An was 3-7 down in
the fifth game of the fifth match against Koki Niwa; China was almost
out. Then Yan’s level rose significantly and whatever Japan’s Koki Niwa
did, his Chinese opponent had a better answer.
Only two
minutes after the match, Yan An was completely calm and did hardly
sweat. He spoke of a "normal strength" in the end and was able to
analyse tactical issues. When he was asked why China always wins the
close matches, he did not even wait the translation and said in
Chinese: "It’s the self-confidence that makes the difference."
However,
he did not mention his necklace. Most likely Yan An is just a
down-to-earth 15 year old Chinese boy with a soupcon of superstition.
Source: www.ittf.com
