https://www.scmp.com/rss/519326/feed The latest news on Fan Zhendong, Chinese professional table tennis player, including table tennis news and updates. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Fan Zhendong has opted out of China’s defence of its World Team Table Tennis Championships title, sparking fears among fans that this could be the year the men finally lose. The reigning National Games singles champion, Fan qualified automatically for the tournament, which runs from April 28 to May 10 in London, but reportedly gave up his spot for “personal reasons”. At the previous championships in South Korea two years ago, Fan was instrumental in securing China’s 11th consecutive title,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349512/china-defend-world-team-championships-title-without-table-tennis-star-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349512/china-defend-world-team-championships-title-without-table-tennis-star-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Chinese table tennis star Wang Chuqin admitted in a recent interview that he is trying to emulate the stability provided by legends Ma Long and Fan Zhendong in his new role leading the men’s national team. After Ma and Fan withdrew from the world rankings in late 2024 after the Paris Olympics, Wang was thrust into the spotlight for the Chinese men’s team. Wang was interviewed by a mainland sports magazine before the ITTF World Cup event in Macau for an article published online on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349368/chinese-star-wang-chuqin-admits-he-trying-emulate-stability-ma-long-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349368/chinese-star-wang-chuqin-admits-he-trying-emulate-stability-ma-long-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:30:14 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s Sun Yingsha added another accolade to her already glittering table tennis résumé on Sunday, becoming the first woman to win a third consecutive World Cup title. Sun, who beat teammate Wang Manyu 4-1 at the Galaxy Arena in Macau, joined compatriot Fan Zhendong as the only players in the sport’s history to manage the feat. Fan claimed the men’s singles title three times, starting in 2018. On a day when China’s continued dominance of the game was again tested, Wang Chuqin finally took the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349100/sun-yingsha-makes-table-tennis-history-world-cup-three-peat-wang-wins-mens-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349100/sun-yingsha-makes-table-tennis-history-world-cup-three-peat-wang-wins-mens-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:34:02 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Teenage sports star Quan Hongchan became a national hero and China’s “diving queen” through her extraordinary medal-winning feats. She is adored by millions of fans, but like so many top performers, the 19-year-old has also been a target of online abuse. This is not surprising, given the often toxic nature of the mainland’s fan culture. That does not, however, make it acceptable. Quan, who won her first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo in 2021 when only 14, has been targeted as a result of gaining... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348915/chinas-sports-stars-show-bravery-face-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348915/chinas-sports-stars-show-bravery-face-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Olympic singles champion Chen Meng has admitted she is still hungry for more success, even after dominating women’s table tennis at the past two Games. Speaking to Chinese media, the 32-year-old said her heart will always remain “on the court”. “I will play as long as there are the right events – my heart has always been on the court,” Chen said. “I would resume training according to my condition and also go and watch the younger players practise, giving them technical guidance.” After defending... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347705/olympic-champion-chen-meng-help-younger-players-grow-fan-zhendong-extends-german-stint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347705/olympic-champion-chen-meng-help-younger-players-grow-fan-zhendong-extends-german-stint?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:36:23 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Wang Liqin, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), has said that efforts to rectify toxic fan culture in the sport are seeing progress as the national team balances Olympic preparations with youth development. The former world and Olympic champion is in Beijing for the annual “two sessions” meeting as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), joined by other sports figures including former CTTA president Liu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345618/table-tennis-head-wang-liqin-says-progress-being-made-fix-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345618/table-tennis-head-wang-liqin-says-progress-being-made-fix-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:02:42 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese table tennis Olympic champion Fan Zhendong lost for the third time in his past four matches on Sunday as his German club side squandered a two-match lead to lose 3-2 at Borussia Düsseldorf on Sunday. Playing in the decisive doubles match for 1. FC Saarbrücken TT, Fan and teammate Cedric Meissner lost 3-1 to Düsseldorf’s Qiu Dang and Anton Kallberg in the final Bundesliga match before a month-long break. Fan had also lost both singles ties in a Champions League match for Saarbrücken last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343722/china-table-tennis-star-fan-zhendong-loses-third-time-past-4-matches-german-club?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3343722/china-table-tennis-star-fan-zhendong-loses-third-time-past-4-matches-german-club?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:32:33 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese social media users have hit out at the performances of Fan Zhendong’s teammates following 1. FC Saarbrücken TT’s loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Monday. Reigning Olympic table tennis champion Fan won both of his matches – against Alberto Mino and Kristian Karlsson – 3-0. However, Fan’s dominance was not enough to stop his German club team from losing 3-2. The team’s fourth defeat of the season means the newly crowned German Cup champions slipped down the table to third... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3339714/chinese-social-media-users-hit-out-fan-zhendongs-saarbrucken-teammates-after-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3339714/chinese-social-media-users-hit-out-fan-zhendongs-saarbrucken-teammates-after-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:17 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese table tennis star Fan Zhendong won his first overseas club title on Sunday, guiding 1. FC Saarbrücken to victory in the German Cup. Olympic gold medallist Fan won all four of his singles matches in six hours and claimed the MVP award in front of 5,200 spectators in Neu-Ulm. After coming back from behind to eliminate reigning champions TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen 3-1 in the semi-finals earlier in the day, Saarbrücken beat TTC RhonSprudel Fulda-Maberzell in the final with an identical score... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3338733/fan-zhendong-wins-first-overseas-table-tennis-club-title-1-fc-saarbrucken-german-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3338733/fan-zhendong-wins-first-overseas-table-tennis-club-title-1-fc-saarbrucken-german-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:27:11 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The head of international table tennis has said she foresees Olympic champion Fan Zhendong returning to fight for gold again in Los Angeles in 2028. But Petra Sorling, president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), was adamant Fan should qualify for his place at the Games – something he cannot do unless he resumes playing in international events. Fan stunned table tennis by announcing he was withdrawing from the ITTF rankings last December. Speaking to the Post during the WTT... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336625/fan-zhendong-could-play-la-olympics-wont-get-easy-route-back-table-tennis-boss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336625/fan-zhendong-could-play-la-olympics-wont-get-easy-route-back-table-tennis-boss?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:00:10 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s table tennis chiefs’ statement about the withdrawals of world No 1s Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin during the WTT Finals in Hong Kong left fans with as many questions as answers on Monday. Sun retired during her women’s singles semi-final on Saturday, having appeared to suffer an ankle injury, before returning to action alongside Wang Chuqin in the mixed doubles final, which the Chinese pair lost. The following day, Wang withdrew before his men’s singles semi-final against Truls Moregard.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336519/chinese-statement-sun-yingsha-wang-chuqin-withdrawals-leaves-fans-confused?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3336519/chinese-statement-sun-yingsha-wang-chuqin-withdrawals-leaves-fans-confused?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 12:24:26 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hong Kong delivered a WTT Finals “beyond my expectations”, the head of table tennis’ governing body has said after the city concluded its first staging of the year-end tournament. Steve Dainton, the World Table Tennis CEO, believed there was the potential to host an “even better” event when it returned to Hong Kong in 12 months. Even the withdrawals through injury of Chinese world No 1s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha in their respective men’s and women’s singles semi-finals could not dampen... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3336462/world-table-tennis-chief-says-successful-finals-debut-hong-kong-beyond-expectations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3336462/world-table-tennis-chief-says-successful-finals-debut-hong-kong-beyond-expectations?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 07:39:34 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Felix Lebrun has warned that he is recapturing the speed and fluidity of his 2024 highs as he prepares to head to Hong Kong next month for table tennis’ WTT Finals. The Frenchman was knocked out of his stride after claiming a pair of Olympic medals at the tender age of 17 last year, but this week targeted “bigger results in future”, starting at the Hong Kong event. More specifically, he has China’s reigning singles world champion Wang Chuqin in his sights. Now 19, he gave an indication of his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3334419/wtt-finals-lebrun-reveals-which-chinese-ace-he-most-wants-beat-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3334419/wtt-finals-lebrun-reveals-which-chinese-ace-he-most-wants-beat-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:00:20 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Swedish table tennis star Truls Moregard has targeted another Hong Kong career boost as he returns to the city still savouring the memories he made last time. Olympic silver medallist Moregard is in the line-up for next month’s year-ending World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals, and is hoping he finds Hong Kong, which will host it, a happy hunting ground again. As the world No 5 turned his attention to proceedings at Hong Kong Coliseum from December 10 to 14, he recalled the step up he took during an... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3334250/wtt-finals-truls-moregard-aims-create-more-happy-memories-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3334250/wtt-finals-truls-moregard-aims-create-more-happy-memories-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:47:43 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Ma Long’s reign as the best table tennis player in China may be coming to an end, but he will go out a winner after Beijing grabbed the National Games men’s team title in Macau on Thursday. A 3-1 victory over Shanghai at the Galaxy Arena saw Ma become the only player in the history of the Games to win gold medals in all four men’s table tennis events. It was Ma’s fifth gold medal in his sixth appearance at the multi-sport event. He had previously won two gold medals in men’s singles and one each... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3333591/record-breaker-ma-long-leads-beijing-national-games-table-tennis-team-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3333591/record-breaker-ma-long-leads-beijing-national-games-table-tennis-team-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:24:14 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong Long regarded as a legend of the game, Fan Zhendong stands as one of the most decorated and well-rounded players in table tennis history, yet he has not stopped exploring his limits. Following his gold medal success in the National Games men’s singles, Fan will be back in action on Thursday in the team final. With Xu Xin by his side, Fan will be up against world No 1 Wang Chuqin and another legend of the game, Ma Long. Fan is aware of the challenges – rhythm, focus, coordination and adaptation –... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3333514/fan-zhendong-cements-legacy-national-games-after-completing-super-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3333514/fan-zhendong-cements-legacy-national-games-after-completing-super-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:00:11 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport We’re much closer to the end than the beginning of what has been an enthralling National Games, but we’re not done yet. Fresh off a first fencing gold for the men’s foil team, their épée counterparts get a chance to redeem themselves after the individual slip-ups they all suffered earlier this week. In badminton, mixed doubles Olympic champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong are proving that age is just a number. Having retired after their golden hurrah in Paris, they came back for an encore and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3333463/national-games-hong-kong-fencers-go-again-fan-v-wang-part-2-what-watch-day-11?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3333463/national-games-hong-kong-fencers-go-again-fan-v-wang-part-2-what-watch-day-11?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:01:18 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Reaching the second week of a multisport Games usually means bidding farewell to the swimmers and cyclists, and saying hello to track and field athletes. So it proves in these National Games, with the athletics action unfolding in Guangzhou until Thursday. We are nearly a week into the tennis, but it is hotting up now that players – including Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong Chak-lam – are close to clinching medals. And there’s another round of fencing, in which entire competitions are completed within... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3333165/national-games-coleman-wong-fencing-medallists-hsieh-and-ho-what-watch-day-9?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3333165/national-games-coleman-wong-fencing-medallists-hsieh-and-ho-what-watch-day-9?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 23:00:11 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong fencer Aaron Ho Sze-long had to settle for a silver medal at the National Games on Saturday after suffering defeat by Shandong’s Wei Zhenhao in the men’s sabre final. But Ho, 30, still earned the distinction of making history, becoming the first Hong Kong sabreist to win a medal at the Games, and the achieving the joint-highest Games finish of any Hong Kong fencer, matching the 2017 foil silver of Nicholas Edward Choi. It came on a day when Hong Kong’s Kaylin Hsieh Sin-yan won bronze... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3332900/national-games-day-6-wright-narrowly-misses-out-triathlon-he-wins-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3332900/national-games-day-6-wright-narrowly-misses-out-triathlon-he-wins-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Nov 2025 02:20:36 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport There was a point at which the Bad News Bears and Rookie of the Year were going to make an appearance in this rundown of what’s coming up on Saturday, but then it was pointed out that the Hong Kong baseball team don’t play again until Monday, so away went that thought. Still, you’ve got to appreciate the care and attention that goes into this. Not just some mindless listicle for our readers. Anyhow, we’re into the weekend of the National Games and there is every chance the city’s athletes will... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3332893/national-games-fencing-begins-and-siobhan-haughey-carries-what-watch-day-6?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3332893/national-games-fencing-begins-and-siobhan-haughey-carries-what-watch-day-6?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 23:00:25 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li The rivalry between the world’s No 1 table tennis player, Wang Chuqin, and Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting from Wednesday’s tense National Games match has translated into fans’ “heartwarming” comments on the pair’s friendship online. Wang won the men’s singles match narrowly by four games to three (11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5) in Macau to make his way into the next round, but the two shared a handshake and a pat on the shoulder after the match – just the latest in multiple meetings... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3332685/national-games-tight-contest-between-wang-chuqin-hong-kongs-wong-chun-ting-warms-hearts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3332685/national-games-tight-contest-between-wang-chuqin-hong-kongs-wong-chun-ting-warms-hearts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:00:32 +0000 Wynna Wong,Tom Bell Wynna Wong,Tom Bell The National Games’ swimming events began in Shenzhen on Monday with a highly anticipated clash of generations between Pan Zhanle and Sun Yang – but both were put in the shade by a rising star. Pan and Sun, two of China’s most talked-about swimmers of recent years, earned places in men’s 400 metres freestyle final, but neither mounted a challenge for the podium and it was 18-year-old Zhang Zhanshuo who took gold, in record-breaking fashion. Zhang clocked three minutes and 42.82 seconds to smash... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3332244/national-games-zhang-18-upstages-pan-zhanle-sun-yang-pan-wins-relay-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3332244/national-games-zhang-18-upstages-pan-zhanle-sun-yang-pan-wins-relay-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:44:29 +0000 Lars Hamer,Mike Chan Lars Hamer,Mike Chan The National Games bring together the best and brightest from across China for weeks of competition, some of which have been said to be tougher than the Olympics. Whether you agree with that or not, there can be no argument that several of the world’s top sportsmen and women will be battling it out in the pool, on the court and right across the Greater Bay Area for individual and team glory. Jointly co-hosted for the first time by Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong, here is everything you need to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3331993/all-you-need-know-about-national-games-where-some-worlds-best-come-play?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3331993/all-you-need-know-about-national-games-where-some-worlds-best-come-play?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:18 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China table tennis stars Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin have been thrown together in the same half of the men’s singles draw at the National Games, putting them on a collision course in the semi-finals. Despite being the defending champion, Fan’s lack of competitive action internationally since December meant his world ranking has dropped, leaving him seeded fourth for this month’s tournament in Macau. Wang, meanwhile, is world No 1 and top seed, but has beaten Fan, who will represent Shanghai... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3331738/fan-and-wang-collision-course-blockbuster-semi-final-macau-hong-kong-pair-get-bye?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3331738/fan-and-wang-collision-course-blockbuster-semi-final-macau-hong-kong-pair-get-bye?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 09:30:09 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li China’s top internet regulator has launched a sweeping campaign to clean up social media for the National Games. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) on Tuesday announced its “Clean and Bright: Online Environment Rectification” campaign, targeting issues such as doxxing – the leaking of personal information of athletes, coaches and referees. It is also aimed at fan-led smear campaigns and conflicts that the CAC said could “disrupt preparations or disrupt the smooth operation of the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3331581/china-moves-keep-toxic-fan-culture-social-media-national-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/3331581/china-moves-keep-toxic-fan-culture-social-media-national-games?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Nov 2025 04:51:09 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport As if its global dominance in women’s table tennis was not already strong enough, China has unearthed a potential successor to all-conquering world No 1 Sun Yingsha – and she is just 13 years old. Born in 2012 in the city of Shangqiu in Henan province, Zhu Qihui beat compatriot Liu Ziling 4-1 in the WTT China Youth Smash women’s singles final on Sunday, completing a hat-trick of titles after also winning the Singapore and Europe Youth Smash events in February and August. Unbeaten in seven... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3328100/chinas-little-devil-zhu-qihui-already-table-tennis-world-beater-13?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3328100/chinas-little-devil-zhu-qihui-already-table-tennis-world-beater-13?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:00:14 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The veneer of invincibility surrounding Chinese table tennis has been slowly chipped away over the past two years, and now Japanese ace Tomokazu Harimoto has sparked a furore by suggesting none of the country’s players are unbeatable. Harimoto also threw further fuel on the fire by saying that, of the Chinese men, only Wang Chuqin was a good player. The 22-year-old added that he, Swede Truls Moregard and Brazil’s Hugo Calderano were among a list of players capable of “consistently beating” their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3326948/japans-tomokazu-harimoto-dismisses-china-table-tennis-threat-says-wang-chuqin-only-good-player?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3326948/japans-tomokazu-harimoto-dismisses-china-table-tennis-threat-says-wang-chuqin-only-good-player?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:30:08 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer China’s best table tennis players being challenged by improving Europeans and Americans is helping to grow the game globally, the sport’s global chief has said. Speaking exclusively to the Post as the WTT Champions Macau event drew to a close at the weekend, Steve Dainton, CEO of World Table Tennis, said the likes of Sweden’s Truls Moregard, French brothers Felix and Alexis Lebrun, and Hugo Calderano of Brazil were attracting “significant global attention”. Wang Chuqin ensured a Chinese men’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325758/if-chinas-table-tennis-dominance-challenged-will-sport-grow-wtt-boss-has-his-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3325758/if-chinas-table-tennis-dominance-challenged-will-sport-grow-wtt-boss-has-his-say?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Sep 2025 23:30:14 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The “real” Fan Zhendong will be back, said his new teammates, after the Chinese table tennis superstar lost both of his matches on his Bundesliga debut on Sunday. Playing for 1. FC Saarbrücken for the first time, Olympic champion Fan was the top-ranked player for his team when they hosted TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt at the Joachim-Deckarm Halle sports complex. The former world No 1, who is currently not ranked after withdrawing from International Table Tennis Federation events last December, lost... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3323899/supporters-certain-fan-zhendong-will-be-back-after-losses-german-table-tennis-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3323899/supporters-certain-fan-zhendong-will-be-back-after-losses-german-table-tennis-league?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Sep 2025 08:19:18 +0000 Vanessa Cai,Laura Zhou Vanessa Cai,Laura Zhou Pandas and table tennis are two of China’s most beloved national symbols, but the behaviour of some of their admirers has prompted concerns about extreme online fandom. In a rare open letter issued last month, the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in the southwestern province of Sichuan condemned what it called toxic fan culture and online abuse targeting panda keepers. “Recently, it has been deeply disheartening to see certain individuals inciting and manipulating... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3321316/pandas-and-table-tennis-chinas-national-icons-fall-victim-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3321316/pandas-and-table-tennis-chinas-national-icons-fall-victim-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:00:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Table tennis superstar Fan Zhendong has voiced a wish for the public to dampen down China’s so-called toxic fan culture, saying it had caused him anxiety. Fan spoke out in a television interview screened during the second leg of the Chinese Table Tennis Super League in Fujian, which ended on Monday with the Olympic champion having been dominant. The 28-year-old from Guangzhou said fans’ actions sometimes hurt not only athletes but also teams, teammates, friends and families. “To this day, I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3320018/fan-zhendong-condemns-battlefield-chinas-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3320018/fan-zhendong-condemns-battlefield-chinas-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jul 2025 10:54:23 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Tickets to watch Fan Zhendong play for his new table tennis club in Germany have sold out within 24 hours, as fans in China praised the low prices. Fan recently signed for 1. FC Saarbrucken, and the team’s popularity soared overnight. The Bundesliga side had expected season tickets to take weeks to sell – instead, they were snapped up within a day. The tickets – ranging from €100 (US$115) to €800 – cover all Saarbrucken home matches in the Table Tennis Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3315329/fan-zhendong-ticket-sales-spark-frenzy-fans-praise-low-prices-germany?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3315329/fan-zhendong-ticket-sales-spark-frenzy-fans-praise-low-prices-germany?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jun 2025 09:00:13 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Chinese table tennis fans have bid a heartfelt farewell to the retiring Timo Boll, Germany’s former world No 1 known fondly as “Uncle Boll” by millions in the Asian country. The 44-year-old played his last professional match on Sunday in Frankfurt as his domestic team lost the Bundesliga final in Frankfurt. It made headlines in China and on the X-like Weibo platform a related hashtag had more than four million views as of noon Tuesday. Writing in Chinese and German on Weibo, four-time Olympic... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3314742/farewell-comrade-boll-china-fans-hail-retiring-german-table-tennis-ace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3314742/farewell-comrade-boll-china-fans-hail-retiring-german-table-tennis-ace?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:32:18 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese table tennis fans have urged their national team to recall Fan Zhendong and put him back on the international stage after the Olympic champion returned to action in sizzling form this week. At the opening leg of the new China Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) season, which concluded in Hebei on Wednesday, Fan won all seven of his singles ties, including beating world No 1 Lin Shidong 3-2. A Weibo hashtag praising Fan – who does not have a world ranking – for beating the top-ranked player... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3314137/fans-want-fan-zhendong-rushed-back-china-table-tennis-team-after-perfect-showing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3314137/fans-want-fan-zhendong-rushed-back-china-table-tennis-team-after-perfect-showing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:00:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese star Fan Zhendong is set to return to action at club level after signing for German outfit 1. FC Saarbrücken to play in the Table Tennis Bundesliga. In a statement released on the club’s website on Sunday, Fan, who reportedly contacted Saarbrucken on May 22 and told them, “it’s you, or no one”, said he could not wait for the new season to start. The Olympic champion, who has withdrawn from International Table Tennis Federation events in a row over rankings, has largely been out of action... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3312630/chinas-fan-zhendong-signs-bundesliga-deal-official-calls-it-huge-moment-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3312630/chinas-fan-zhendong-signs-bundesliga-deal-official-calls-it-huge-moment-table-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Jun 2025 04:32:44 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer China’s top table tennis official has heaped praise on the country’s paddlers after they swept the singles titles at the World Championships in Doha, but said challenges remained in improving the men’s game. At the Lusail Sports Arena on Sunday, Wang Chuqin won his first world title in the men’s singles, while compatriot Sun Yingsha defended her crown from two years ago. Wang and Sun also won the mixed doubles event, while Kuai Man and Wang Manyu won the women’s competition. However, Japan’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3312109/lots-work-be-done-china-return-top-mens-table-tennis-wang-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3312109/lots-work-be-done-china-return-top-mens-table-tennis-wang-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:16 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China suffered their worst men’s doubles results in 50 years at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships on Thursday, sending fans into fits of despair and questioning what the country would do if Fan Zhendong did not return to the side. Lin Shidong and Lin Gaoyuan were humbled 3-1 by Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yunju and Kao Chengjui in the quarter-finals in Doha. Lin and Kao, the sixth seeds, had also dispatched Liang Jingkun and Huang Youzheng in the previous round. The defeat marked the first time... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3311533/chinese-fans-fear-future-mens-table-tennis-after-historic-doubles-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3311533/chinese-fans-fear-future-mens-table-tennis-after-historic-doubles-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 May 2025 07:31:58 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Wang Liqin has stepped into the Chinese table tennis hot seat at a time when the temperature could not be higher. Replacing Liu Guoliang as the president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, Wang’s leadership begins with the country’s status under pressure, after Brazil’s Hugo Calderano won the men’s singles at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup in Macau. And the 46-year-old faces the task of maintaining China’s dominance in a sport where international challengers are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3309216/maintaining-chinas-table-tennis-dominance-top-large-pile-wang-liqins-plate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3309216/maintaining-chinas-table-tennis-dominance-top-large-pile-wang-liqins-plate?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 May 2025 12:30:18 +0000 Chinese table tennis fans voiced despair about the country’s men’s performances on Monday after Lin Shidong’s shock loss at the ITTF World Cup in Macau, with many calling for the return of Ma Long and Fan Zhendong. World No 1 Lin’s 4-1 reverse against Brazil’s Hugo Calderano in Sunday’s final saw the hashtag “Chinese table tennis really needs to reflect” shoot to the top of Weibo’s trending list with more than 100 million views. “Chinese table tennis should indeed reflect on itself, or more... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3307298/bring-back-fan-zhendong-ma-long-chinese-table-tennis-fans-rue-lins-macau-loss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3307298/bring-back-fan-zhendong-ma-long-chinese-table-tennis-fans-rue-lins-macau-loss?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:00:09 +0000 The former coach of China’s national table tennis team has launched a scathing attack on the state of the game, arguing that it is wrapped up in commercial interests and does not respect players. Wu Jingping singled out the actions of World Table Tennis (WTT), slamming the body for prompting his former protégé Fan Zhendong, the Olympic champion in men’s singles at the Paris Games, to withdraw from the global rankings. Wu, who coached the national team from 1991 to 2021, also said that today’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3298864/former-china-coach-wu-jingping-attacks-world-table-tennis-state-national-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3298864/former-china-coach-wu-jingping-attacks-world-table-tennis-state-national-game?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Feb 2025 04:00:17 +0000 China’s Olympic champions have expressed their approval after global table tennis chiefs’ decision to change several of the rules that prompted three of the country’s top names to withdraw from the world rankings. On Tuesday, World Table Tennis (WTT) removed the mandatory participation requirement at all Grand Smash events and introduced direct entry for Olympic champions. Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu, who won gold in the table tennis team events at the Paris Games, welcomed the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3298684/chinese-table-tennis-stars-welcome-wtt-rule-changes-after-rankings-row?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3298684/chinese-table-tennis-stars-welcome-wtt-rule-changes-after-rankings-row?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Feb 2025 09:26:20 +0000 Wong Chun-ting edged out fellow Hongkonger Baldwin Chan in a nail-biting 3-2 win to reach the main draw of the men’s singles at the Singapore Smash tournament on Saturday. Having not played each other in any official matches on the tour before, the 33-year-old Wong took the first game before his 20-year-old rival bounced back to take the next two games. But world No 40 Wong used all his experience to dispatch an opponent ranked 45 places below him, winning 11-8, 3-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3 in 31... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3297013/singapore-smash-hong-kong-trio-make-solid-start-us15-million-world-table-tennis-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3297013/singapore-smash-hong-kong-trio-make-solid-start-us15-million-world-table-tennis-event?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Feb 2025 06:41:35 +0000 Chinese table tennis fans reacted angrily on Friday after Olympic champions Fan Zhendong, Chen Meng and Ma Long were all omitted from the national team ahead of next month’s ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup in Shenzhen. The trio stunned the table tennis world last month when they announced that they were withdrawing from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) world rankings because of rules stating that fines would be imposed on players who did not take part in World Table Tennis (WTT)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3295261/chinese-table-tennis-fans-outraged-fan-zhendong-chen-meng-ma-long-dropped-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3295261/chinese-table-tennis-fans-outraged-fan-zhendong-chen-meng-ma-long-dropped-team?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jan 2025 12:51:40 +0000 The world governing body for table tennis announced that it had created a task force to gather feedback from players and review regulations following the pull-outs of three Chinese stars from the world rankings. The move by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) comes after Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng stunned Chinese table tennis fans late last month by announcing they had withdrawn from the ITTF rankings. When the world rankings were updated on Tuesday, they showed... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3293428/world-table-tennis-body-sets-task-force-address-concerns-after-world-rankings-issue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3293428/world-table-tennis-body-sets-task-force-address-concerns-after-world-rankings-issue?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jan 2025 10:53:18 +0000 The head of Chinese table tennis has described as “really questionable” the new rules that have prompted three of the country’s leading stars to withdraw from the world rankings. Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng stunned Chinese table tennis fans on Friday when they announced they had withdrawn from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings. When the world rankings were updated on Tuesday, it was revealed that another of the country’s Olympic heroes, Ma Long, had also... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3293022/china-table-tennis-chief-backs-fan-zhendong-chen-meng-ma-long-joins-rankings-boycott?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3293022/china-table-tennis-chief-backs-fan-zhendong-chen-meng-ma-long-joins-rankings-boycott?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:52:14 +0000 Olympic champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng stunned Chinese table tennis fans by announcing that they were withdrawing from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings on Friday, barely five months after winning Olympic gold. Fan and Chen, who at the Paris Games won gold in the men’s and women’s singles respectively as well as in team events, said the decision to step away was because of rules that fines would be imposed on players who did not take part in international... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3292442/china-olympic-champions-fan-zhendong-chen-meng-stun-table-tennis-fans-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3292442/china-olympic-champions-fan-zhendong-chen-meng-stun-table-tennis-fans-retirement?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:40:37 +0000 Three-time Olympic table tennis champion Fan Zhendong has pleaded with fans to “understand and respect” his privacy after he was mobbed in a hotel lobby. The world No 1 beat rival Lin Shidong 3-1 in a China Super League match in Changsha on Saturday. However, after the game, table tennis fans rushed to his hotel and surrounded him as he tried to get to his room. China has been battling what it calls “obsessive fan culture”, where super fans mob and harass athletes for years, but there has been a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3290913/chinas-fan-zhendong-pleads-privacy-after-supporters-mob-him-hotel-following-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3290913/chinas-fan-zhendong-pleads-privacy-after-supporters-mob-him-hotel-following-win?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:30:28 +0000 China table tennis legend Ma Long hinted he may call time on his illustrious career after being given the opportunity to bow out on the ultimate high. The 35-year-old, who helped the men’s team to victory over Sweden on Friday, won his first Olympic gold medal in 2012 and has claimed at least one at every Summer Games since. But now it appears as though his incredible journey is coming to an end after completing a 12-year Olympic journey spanning four Games with another gold medal. “The Paris... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3273982/china-table-tennis-legend-ma-long-proud-sixth-olympic-gold-and-great-paris-moments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3273982/china-table-tennis-legend-ma-long-proud-sixth-olympic-gold-and-great-paris-moments?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Aug 2024 00:30:09 +0000 Fan Zhendong spun, sliced and smashed his way to men’s table tennis Olympic gold at a euphoric South Paris Arena 4 on Sunday. The exceptional China star overcame the loss of the first game and five dropped gold medal points against resurgent Swede Truls Moregard to win 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8 and stretch China’s dominance of this event to a fifth Games. Fan was beaten in the Tokyo Olympics final by legendary compatriot Ma Long. Some supporters at home questioned the selectors’ decision to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/table-tennis/article/3273170/paris-olympics-fan-spins-slices-and-smashes-way-first-singles-gold-sealing-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/table-tennis/article/3273170/paris-olympics-fan-spins-slices-and-smashes-way-first-singles-gold-sealing-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Aug 2024 16:15:00 +0000 Chinese fans are celebrating Fan Zhendong’s table tennis gold in the men’s singles, which has continued country’s streak of gold medals in Olympic event since 2008. Fan recovered from a game down against Truls Moregard, who surprisingly knocked out China’s world No 1 Wang Chuqin in the round of 32, to win 4-1. Victory marked the 27-year-old’ completion of a career gand slam, having now secured singles titles in the World Championships, World Cup, and Olympics. There was extra pressure on Fan... https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/china/article/3273168/paris-olympics-fan-zhendong-praised-chinese-social-after-gold-seals-career-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/paris-olympics-2024/china/article/3273168/paris-olympics-fan-zhendong-praised-chinese-social-after-gold-seals-career-grand-slam?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Aug 2024 14:25:24 +0000