Why does China continue to dominate table tennis?

In the world of table tennis, everyone rejoiced at Hugo Caldenaro's victory over Lin Shidong in the men's singles World Cup final.

Tennis player Lam Thi Dong - Photo: ITTF

A stunning defeat for Chinese table tennis.

It's an understandable sentiment to witness such spectacular upsets in sports . The Chinese dominance in table tennis is similar to the Americans' dominance in basketball, perhaps even more so.

At the Olympics, the World Championships, or the World Cup, the men's and women's singles table tennis finals are often all-Chinese affairs.

For example, at the Olympics, in the last five men's singles finals, only once has a player from outside China appeared. That was Felix LeBrun (France) at the 2024 Olympics. And even he had no chance against a completely superior Fan Zhendong.

In the men's singles table tennis World Cup, China has only lost the championship in one of the last 12 tournaments, when Ovtcharov and Timo Boll reached the final in 2017 (Ovtcharov won).

It was a sensitive period for Chinese table tennis, as their legends like Ma Long and Xu Xin had declined, while the new generation led by Fan Zhendong was not yet mature enough.

This illustrates just how remarkable Calderano's recent victory truly is. Before defeating Lin Shidong – the Chinese table tennis prodigy who reached world number 1 at the age of 20 – Calderano had already beaten Wang Shuqin – the former world number 1, who was only 24 years old.

At this year's World Cup, China also had Liang Jingkun, currently ranked 4th in the world. Of the current top 4 players, China has three, the other being from Brazil, a country with no table tennis tradition. And yet, that same player went on to win.

Chinese people play table tennis all the time in the park - Photo: AFP

The glee of the table tennis community was further amplified when, just two days after this shocking defeat, the president of the Chinese Table Tennis Federation (CTTA), Liu Guoliang, resigned.

But that was also the moment when fans realized that China would once again dominate this technically demanding sport, thanks to the spirit and self-respect of its leaders.

China is too determined with table tennis.

Chinese table tennis has a foundation for training, inheriting, and elevating exceptional athletes.

In terms of infrastructure, China has long been successful in transforming table tennis into a school sport. In fact, it's become the most practical sport possible.

If you take a walk in parks in China, you'll easily spot ping pong tables everywhere. For Chinese people, playing ping pong is as easy as walking or jogging. That's the foundation of their development.

And at the top level, CTTA maintains a highly effective talent-focused policy. Liu Guoliang was the world number one badminton player in the 1990s. He retired at the young age of 25.

Mr. Liu Guoliang (second from the left) is considered the most successful table tennis coach in the history of China - Photo: ITG

This is due to the continuous succession of talent in Chinese table tennis. In 2001, Liu retired. In 2003, he was appointed head coach of the Chinese men's table tennis team, with the goal of competing in the 2008 Olympics on home soil.

And Liu did exceptionally well, winning a double gold medal in both men's singles and men's team (at that time, table tennis did not have doubles events at the Olympics). Even all three gold, silver, and bronze medals were won by Chinese players.

Who are they? There's Ma Lin, only four years younger than Liu. There's Wang Hao, seven years younger than Liu. And Wang Liqin, two years younger than Liu. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Liu Guoliang looked more like a "big boss" than a head coach, because all those new players were his juniors not long ago.

Liu Guoliang's talent is undeniable, but it must be acknowledged that his systematic approach helped him to greatness.

In 2018, Liu Guoliang ended his 17-year coaching career to take on a new role - chairman of CTTA.

He was re-elected for a second term in 2023 without any controversy. From his roles as an athlete and coach to president, Liu has always done an excellent job. Chinese table tennis has maintained its dominant position at all times.

And then, with just one defeat, in a tournament that wasn't even particularly prestigious (the World Cup in table tennis generally can't compare to the Olympics and the World Championships), Liu Guoliang was immediately forced to resign.

His successor was none other than Wang Liqin, who was once his comrade, student, and colleague. And now, he is the one who has inherited the highest responsibility.

Hugo Caldenaro's victory brought joy to the entire table tennis world. No one wanted to see one of the most captivating sports subjected to such absolute dominance.

But judging by the way the Chinese reacted, you can be sure they'll soon win every tournament again.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/vi-sao-trung-quoc-mai-mai-thong-tri-mon-bong-ban-20250423162833888.htm