On Tuesday at the ongoing World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash, China’s No.1 world-ranked paddler Wang Chuqin defeated Singaporean player Pang Koen to advance to the round of 16. His victory followed those of his peers Sun Yingsha and Lin Shidong on Monday, who secured wins to progress to the round of 32, showcasing China’s strong presence at the competition, sports commentator Qiu Junfei told the Global Times.
Dominant Performances by Chinese Players
As one of China’s most experienced table tennis athletes, Wang Chuqin secured a decisive 3-0 victory. Earlier on Tuesday in the women’s singles competition, Wang Manyu had to fight hard against Chien Tung-Chuan from Taiwan, winning her first match 14-12. Although she lost the second 8-11, she quickly adjusted and won the next two matches, securing her spot in the round of 16.
On Monday, top-seeded Chinese player Sun Yingsha and second-seeded Lin Shidong both dominated their opponents with 3-0 victories, marking Team China’s first two wins at the 2025 WTT Singapore Smash.
In the men’s singles competition, 19-year-old rising star Lin Shidong secured a confident 3-0 win over Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-Ting. Despite a slow start that saw him trailing 1-3 in the first game, he rebounded strongly with an 11-4 victory and continued his dominance with 11-6 and 11-5 wins.
In a post-match interview, Lin admitted to feeling “a bit nervous” throughout the game but focused on regaining his competitive edge. Competing in three events at the WTT Singapore Smash 2025, he emphasized the importance of balancing his energy and physical conditioning.
Importance of International Competition
Sports commentator Luo Le highlighted Lin’s potential, stating that competing against international players is crucial for young athletes like him to develop their skills and advance in the sport.
Sun Yingsha faced South Korea’s Suh Hyo-Won in the women’s singles competition on Monday. She took control from the outset, winning the first two games 11-3 before sealing the match with an 11-7 victory in the third.
“I feel I’m in good mental and physical condition after winter training,” Sun said, emphasizing her commitment to preparing for the next match.
Proposals for Rule Changes
Ahead of the tournament’s main draw, Sun, Wang Chuqin, and Chinese Table Tennis Association President Liu Guoliang proposed adjustments to the WTT’s participation policies. Liu suggested abolishing the mandatory participation rule, arguing that it places excessive psychological and physical strain on athletes.
This proposal followed the withdrawal of Chinese paddlers Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng from the WTT world rankings due to the compulsory attendance policy.
China’s strong performance at the WTT Singapore Smash reaffirms the country’s dominance in international table tennis, with both seasoned players and emerging talents making their mark on the competition.