Zhang planning to punch ticket to Tokyo Games

Rusty but motivated, China's table tennis superstar Zhang Jike has returned to international competition, aiming for more Olympic glory.

Olympic and world champion Zhang made headlines after temporarily rediscovering his fast-attack game at the ongoing ITTF Hong Kong Open, coming on the heels of a six-month hiatus to develop a relationship with actress Jing Tian while enjoying celebrity life and appearing in TV reality shows.

Currently ranked world No 168 because of the long break, Zhang showed signs of rebooting his form in Hong Kong, pulling through qualification with 4-2 victories over Italy's Niagol Stoyanov and young compatriot Ma Te to make the main draw. However, on Thursday Zhang was sent packing 4-3 by young Japanese paddler Maharu Yshimura in the first round.