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Sylvia Ma

In a recent article on the official Olympics website, which highlighted 12 of the “biggest athletes to watch at Paris 2024”, table tennis star Sun Yingsha was the sole Chinese athlete featured.
“The People’s Republic of China has never lost the women’s singles event in table tennis at the Olympic Games. World No 1 Sun will look to keep the streak alive in Paris,” the article stated.
A gold medallist in women’s singles at both the World Cup and World Championships, she is one match away from achieving her grand slam at the Paris Olympics, as she prepares to face compatriot and Tokyo conqueror Chen Meng.
But how has she reached this level?
Here is everything you need to know about the table tennis superstar.

Early life and career
Born in 2000 to an ordinary family in Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei province, Sun took up table tennis at the age of five.
Driven by her interest in a sport she found “enjoyable”, Sun quickly showed her talent and joined Hebei’s provincial team when she was 10 years old.
In 2015, Sun was selected to play for China’s second national table tennis team, having won several gold medals in various youth competitions.
“Everything was new to me then,” Sun told Chinese state media about those early days. “I was very happy and inspired. I wanted to train and play more matches.”
Her ascent continued in January 2017 when she joined the first team and made her debut in senior international competitions at the ITTF World Tour Platinum held in Japan.
There, she clinched gold in both the women’s singles and doubles events, which saw her climb to 10th in the world rankings.
In 2019, Sun secured her first World Championships title in Budapest in the women’s doubles event and won her first World Cup gold medal in Tokyo as part of the women’s team event.

Olympic debut
Before representing China at the Tokyo Games in 2021, Sun secured the gold medal at the inaugural World Table Tennis Cup Finals, a title she successfully defended two years later.
In Tokyo, Sun won a gold medal in the women’s team event but in the singles, while she triumphed over Mima Ito – considered her biggest threat – to reach the final, she was defeated by Chen, to earn a silver medal.
“Looking back at those losses, I feel that I learned a lot from them,” Sun reflected.
“Life is never smooth, and you always face ups and downs. Determination and courage are what make an excellent athlete.”
It was her impressive victory over local favourite Ito which really made Sun stand out.
Her outstanding techniques, combined with her youthful appearance and humble personality helped make her one of the most popular athletes in China.

All eyes on the “Little Devil”
After Tokyo, Sun’s fame and popularity soared as she continued to rack up titles in both national and international competitions, including the World Championships, World Cup and Asian Games.
She first reached the top of the ITTF world ranking in women’s singles in February 2022. In July 2022, she reclaimed the top spot and has held it ever since.
Her stellar performances have earned her the nickname “Little Devil”, a nod to her idol, the retired Chinese table tennis legend Zhang Yining, known as the “Big Devil.”
“I watched a lot of Zhang Yining’s matches, and I admire her commanding presence on the court, as well as the spirit she shows in training,” Sun said, adding that she hoped to have the same level of inspiration for the next generation.
In Paris, Sun has advanced to the women’s singles final and will face Chen on Saturday evening. She will also play in the women’s team event on Monday.
Alongside Wang Chuqin, she celebrated their triumph on Tuesday, winning China’s first Olympic gold in the mixed doubles event.
The Chinese team missed out the gold medal three years ago with hometown duo Jun Mizutani and Ito triumphing.
For Sun, she would achieve a coveted grand slam with a women’s singles gold, which would also mark her as the fastest Chinese player to achieve it.
“This is my second time taking part in the Olympics, and past achievements are behind me,” Sun said. “It’s more important to maintain confidence in myself.”


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Sun Yingsha: China’s No 1-ranked table tennis star eyes history, Olympic gold in Paris

Sun Yingsha could become the fastest Chinese player to win a table tennis grand slam with Olympic singles gold. Photo: Reuters

Sun Yingsha (right) sitting next to teammate and women’s singles gold rival Chen Meng, along with the rest of the team. Photo: Xinhua

Sun Yingsha overcame home favourite Mima Ito en route to a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Reuters

Sun Yingsha’s popular in China but will have to overcome compatriot Chen Meng if she wants to win more gold. Photo Reuters

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The fun attitude of 61-year-old Ni Xialian has endeared herself to audiences in Paris and online at the Olympics. Photo: Xinhua

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China’s Wang Chuqin had his bat damaged after winning gold in the table tennis mixed doubles. Photo: AP

China’s Wang Chuqin (left) and Sun Yingsha. Photo: AP

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Fan Zhendong, a self-proclaimed Taylor Swift fan, is one match away from winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Photo: Xinhua

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Xie Zhenye will lead China’s 4x100m relay team as they aim for a podium finish in Paris. Photo: Xinhua

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.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}A look at how the ‘Little Devil’ rose to top spot and is on the brink of completing a grand slam

Early life and career

A look at how the ‘Little Devil’ rose to top spot and is on the brink of completing a grand slam