https://www.scmp.com/rss/318879/feed The 2015 International Table Tennis Federation World Championships take place in Suzhou, China, from 26 April to May 3. It is the 53rd edition of the event. The reigning singles champions are Zhang Jike and Li Xiaoxia of China en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com China’s Ma Long and Ding Ning headed the top five players’ list in the 21st Century Dream Team in the men’s and women’s categories respectively, according to a public ballot organised by the sport’s world governing body. Both players are the reigning Olympic singles champion, with Ma tallying 15.4 per cent of the vote that saw fans chose their favourite players through the ITTF’s social media channels. Ding, had a similar vote count of 15.5 per cent. The pair were also members of China’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3081101/chinas-ma-long-and-ding-ning-top-list-21st-century-dream-team-voted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3081101/chinas-ma-long-and-ding-ning-top-list-21st-century-dream-team-voted?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2020 11:44:05 +0000 World No 1 Ma Long from China won his first men's singles world table tennis title, defeating teammate Fang Bo 4-2 (11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-13, 11-4) in Suzhou on Sunday night. The 23-year-old Fang can leave the tournament with his head held high having stunned world No 2 Xu Xin and two-time defending champion Zhang Jike in previous rounds Ma, who was stopped at the semi-finals three times in 2009, 2011 and 2013 tournaments, finally seized the best possible chance to become world champion by... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1785254/chinas-ma-long-wins-first-mens-singles-world-championship-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1785254/chinas-ma-long-wins-first-mens-singles-world-championship-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 May 2015 16:15:00 +0000 Ding Ning of China shrugged off an ankle injury to clinch her second individual World Table Tennis Championship title after narrowly defeating compatriot Liu Shiwen 4-3 in a thrilling women’s singles final on Saturday. Ding twisted her right ankle early in the seventh game when she was 2-0 down. But after treatment, the 24-year-old battled on, taking the rubber 11-8 and the title in Suzhou. My injury looks fine at the moment but I need more treatment as I still want to play in the doubles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1784542/ding-ning-fights-injury-secure-womens-singles-title-world-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1784542/ding-ning-fights-injury-secure-womens-singles-title-world-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2015 17:00:45 +0000 The success of Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem at the World Table Tennis Championships has set an example for home-grown talent aspiring to reach the highest level, said head coach Chan Kong-wah. Table tennis has long been criticised for using mainlanders for international success, but local youngsters Wong and Doo teamed up to reach the semi-finals of the mixed doubles in Suzhou. It proves if you work hard, you can achieve the same level of success, no matter whether you are from Hong Kong or... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1784453/wong-chun-ting-and-doo-hoi-kem-role-models-young-hong-kong-table?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1784453/wong-chun-ting-and-doo-hoi-kem-role-models-young-hong-kong-table?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2015 15:06:07 +0000 China coach Liu Guoliang said victory for his mixed-nations doubles team at the World Championships was an important boost for the development of the game. China’s Xu Xin and Yang Ha-eun of South Korea teamed up to become the first cross-border partnership to win the world mixed doubles table tennis championship for 61 years. The pair beat Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa and Maharu Yoshimura 4-0 at the world championships on Friday, becoming the first mixed nationality winners of the title since... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1784068/china-south-korea-doubles-team-makes-history-table-tennis-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1784068/china-south-korea-doubles-team-makes-history-table-tennis-world?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2015 06:03:54 +0000 Hong Kong's Tang Peng recovered from an early setback to battle into the quarter-finals of the men's singles at the Table Tennis World Championships in Suzhou on Friday. Tang, ranked No 13 in the world, lost his first game 11-1 to South Korean Lee Sang-su, but stormed back to win the next four 11-7, 11-8, 14-12 and 11-9 to seal a 4-1 victory. Ma [Long] and his colleague Zhang Jike - the defending champion - are in a class of their own, but I will still give my best and put up the best possible... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1783609/hong-kongs-tang-peng-reaches-quarter-finals-world-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1783609/hong-kongs-tang-peng-reaches-quarter-finals-world-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2015 15:07:40 +0000 It has been a steep learning curve for Hong Kong player Wong Chun-ting. He has hit a purple patch at the table tennis world championships in Suzhou, China, combining with Doo Hoi-kem to secure a bronze in the mixed doubles after they lost 4-1 to the China/South Korea combination of Xu Xin and Yang Ha-eun in the semi-finals on Thursday night. And earlier on Thursday, he made it to the last-16 of the men’s singles after a 4-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7) win over Dane Jonathan Groth. He has strong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1782767/wong-chun-ting-pays-back-interest-when-it-counts-world-championships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1782767/wong-chun-ting-pays-back-interest-when-it-counts-world-championships?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:15:45 +0000 Promising Wong Chun-ting shrugged off sore legs to team up with Doo Hoi-kem in the mixed doubles to guarantee Hong Kong's first medal at the Table Tennis World Championships in Suzhou, China, on Wednesday night. Although they will be underdogs in the semi-finals against the powerful China/South Korea combination of Xu Xin and Yang Ha-eun, there is no play-off for third place, so they get a bronze - even in defeat. I wanted to win a medal and I am so happy that target has been achieved Wong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1781064/hong-kong-guaranteed-bronze-mixed-doubles-world-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1781064/hong-kong-guaranteed-bronze-mixed-doubles-world-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2015 16:45:30 +0000 Promising Hong Kong youngsters Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem are just one step away from a World Championships medal after an outstanding performance in Suzhou this morning. The pair brushed aside Japanese opponents Koki Niwa and Sayaka Hirano 4-0 in their last-16 mixed doubles match and if they continue their winning form in tonight’s quarter-finals, they will be guaranteed a bronze medal. Read all our Table Tennis World Championships coverage here But it was a day of mixed fortunes as Hong... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1780193/hong-kong-youngsters-one-win-away-table-tennis-world-championships-medal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1780193/hong-kong-youngsters-one-win-away-table-tennis-world-championships-medal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:45:00 +0000 For 52-year-old He Zhiwen of Spain, the oldest player at the world championships, an early exit in the men's singles meant little as his legacy is secure. The former China international lost to Jakub Dyjas of Poland in seven gruelling games, despite the raucous support of fans in the country of his birth. I did not play well in the first two games and when the match had to go to seven full games, I knew my physical condition was going to be vulnerable He Zhiwen  "I did not play well in the first... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1779473/age-no-barrier-52-year-old-he-zhiwen-when-your-legacy-secure-table?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1779473/age-no-barrier-52-year-old-he-zhiwen-when-your-legacy-secure-table?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2015 16:15:30 +0000 Hong Kong’s Lee Ho-ching only had a few hours’ sleep but that didn’t prevent her from winning her mixed doubles match at the World Championships in Suzhou this morning. She and Jiang Tianyi – the pair are seeded second – had far too much talent for Welsh opponents Daniel O’Connell and Charlotte Carey, winning 11-7, 11-8, 11-7, 11-5 in the third-round match. Another Hong Kong pair, Wong Chun-ting and Doo Hoi-kem, also went through to the fourth round, beating Zsolt Peto and Gabriela Feher of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1778609/hong-kongs-mixed-doubles-teams-cruise-fourth-round-table-tennis-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1778609/hong-kongs-mixed-doubles-teams-cruise-fourth-round-table-tennis-world?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2015 04:27:21 +0000 Liu Shiwen is dreaming of winning a first individual world title at the Table Tennis World Championships in Suzhou, but is also focused on earning a place in China's star-studded team for next year's Olympic Games. In her previous three world championships campaigns, Liu's best finish was runner-up at the last event in Paris in 2013, with two bronze medals in previous competitions. The world number two was a strong favourite to make it to the 2012 London Olympic Games, where the Chinese women... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1778142/liu-shiwen-keeps-her-focus-qualifying-rio-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1778142/liu-shiwen-keeps-her-focus-qualifying-rio-olympics?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2015 15:15:45 +0000 Promising Hong Kong table tennis player Doo Hoi-kem will use next week’s World Championships as a key test against the best before mounting a serious challenge at next year’s Rio Games. Doo, along with her doubles partner Lee Ho-ching, veterans Tie Yana and Jiang Huajun and Lee Ching-wan, form a strong five-member Hong Kong women’s squad. The highest ranked singles player among her teammates despite her age, Doo will be seeded 12th when the 2015 World Table Tennis Championships kick off in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1768910/hong-kongs-doo-hoi-kem-will-test-herself-against-worlds-best-suzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1768910/hong-kongs-doo-hoi-kem-will-test-herself-against-worlds-best-suzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2015 14:00:00 +0000