Chuqin is new men's singles world TT champion

Qatar Tribune

26-05-2025

ITTF
Doha
The ITTF World Table Tennis Championships 2025 came to a thrilling close at the Lusail Sports Complex on Sunday as China's Wang Chuqin claimed his maiden world title, Japan's Shunsuke Togami and Hiroto Shinozuka ended a 64-year with the men's doubles title, and China's Sun Yingsha defended her women's singles crown in a gripping seven-game classic against Wang Manyu.
Later at the presentationc eremony, Khalil Al Mohannadi, President of the Qatar, Arab and Asian Table Tennis Federations and First Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and ITTF President and Petra Sorling handed over the World Championship flag to Claire Brigall, President of the English Table Tennis Association, as England will host the next edition of the tournament in 2026.
Chuqin overcame Brazil's Hugo Calderano. China rounded off its campaign in style with a flawless women's doubles performance from Wang Manyu and Kuai Man, securing their fourth gold of the tournament and reaffirming their dominance on the global stage.
World No. 2 Chuqin delivered a masterclass performance to claim his first Men's Singles World Championship title, defeating World No. 3 Hugo Calderano of Brazil 4-1 (12-10, 11-9, 4-11, 11-2, 11-7) in a high-quality final.
With this triumph, Wang not only secures his place in table tennis history but also becomes the first left-handed Men's Singles World Champion in over three decades—since Frenchman Jean-Philippe Gatien's victory in 1993.
The victory also served as sweet revenge for Wang, who had suffered a narrow 3-4 defeat to Calderano just weeks earlier in the semifinals of the ITTF World Cup in Macao. This time, however, the Chinese star left no room for doubt, bringing his A-game in both physical preparation and tactical execution.
World No. 1 and defending champion Sun Yingsha successfully retained her women's singles crown in a pulsating seven-game final against compatriot Wang Manyu, in what will be remembered as one of the all-time classic matches in World Championship history.
The nearly 90-minute contest was a rollercoaster of momentum swings and high-quality rallies, with both players showcasing extraordinary skill, tactical depth, and mental resilience.
Sun came out of the gates firing, dominating the opening two games with clinical precision. But Wang responded brilliantly, adjusting her tactics to play more aggressively, especially by stepping around for her powerful pivot forehand. The change paid off as she took the next two games in convincing fashion to level the match at 2-2.
The fifth game proved to be a turning point. Wang earned a game point at 10-9, but Sun responded with three straight points under pressure to seize the game 12-10 and regain the lead.
In the sixth, Sun looked poised to close out the match with a 10-6 advantage, only for Wang to mount a remarkable comeback. Displaying immense grit, Wang saved four match points—helped in part by a fortunate edge ball at 9-10—before taking the game 13-11 to force a decider.
Sun appeared out of rhythm in the early stages of the final game and trailed 5-7. However, showing the poise and champion's mentality that has defined her rise to the top, she flipped the momentum with a stunning six-point run—her longest streak of the match—to take the game 11-7 and seal a dramatic victory.
Japan's Shunsuke Togami and Hiroto Shinozuka clinched the men's doubles title at the World Table Tennis Championships after a thrilling five-game battle against Chinese Taipei's Kao Cheng-Jui and Lin Yun-Ju. The Japanese duo triumphed 3-2, with game scores of 6-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6.
The Japanese pair showcased a clear tactical understanding throughout the match, with left-handed Shinozuka playing a stabilizing role, minimizing risks and controlling the tempo, while Togami took on the enforcer's mantle—his explosive forehand proving to be a decisive weapon. Both players served with precision, particularly against Lin Yun-Ju, one of the game's premier receivers renowned for his backhand banana flick. Their tactical serving and well-placed spins effectively neutralized his signature returns.
China's Wang Manyu and Kuai Man capped off the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships with a commanding performance, defeating Austria's Sofia Polcanova and Romania's Bernadette Szőcs 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-5) to win the women's doubles crown.
The final proved to be a one-sided affair, as the Chinese duo showcased their class and composure, dismantling the European pair with ruthless efficiency. Wang and Kuai, who entered the match as clear favourites, delivered a performance that fully justified their billing, controlling the proceedings from start to finish with seamless coordination and clinical shot-making.