Trending Now: Fan Zhendong Is All Smiles Competing in Germany—Tomokazu Harimoto: “I Want to Be World No. 1 Even More.”

After the WTT Hong Kong Finals wrapped up, concerns around China’s men’s team quickly resurfaced. Not only was their four-year title streak snapped, but no Chinese player made it into the men’s singles final. Before long, discussions surrounding Fan Zhendong surged back to the top of China’s trending charts.

Today, Fan Zhendong climbed the hot-search rankings again—this time across multiple topics, from “Fan Zhendong chatting and laughing with Darko,” to “Fan Zhendong smiling with his eyes,” and even playful moments that fans couldn’t stop sharing. It’s a clear sign that the Grand Slam champion remains one of the sport’s most closely watched figures.

Last year, Fan began competing in Germany after joining Bundesliga club Saarbrücken. More than a year on, one thing has stood out consistently: he looks genuinely happy on the court. Whether he’s making his entrance before a match, watching from the sidelines during play, or leaving the venue afterward, Fan has repeatedly carried a relaxed, upbeat energy.

During last weekend’s match, his warm interactions with teammate Darko Jorgić became a major talking point. From tactical discussions to lighthearted joking, the two showcased the kind of chemistry that reflects both cross-cultural camaraderie and Saarbrücken’s strong team atmosphere.

Reports noted that Fan and Darko chatted for nearly 10 minutes, covering everything from match analysis to everyday life. Fan’s English communication appeared smooth and confident, and he even taught Darko the Chinese phrase “jiāyóu” (“let’s go / keep it up”), with Darko responding in German—an easy, natural exchange that delighted fans.

In many ways, since stepping away from the WTT world ranking system, Fan has been able to compete without the pressure and constraints of an intense, nonstop calendar. Meanwhile, many players within the Chinese team continue to face heavy schedules, and the accumulation of events has visibly taken its toll.

On Monday, the ITTF released its latest world rankings. Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, and Hugo Calderano remain in the top three. The biggest movement came just behind them: after winning the Finals title, Tomokazu Harimoto leapfrogged Truls Möregårdh to return to world No. 4, while Möregårdh slipped to No. 5.

Right now, Harimoto appears to be the most serious challenger outside China’s system—especially with his momentum surging after the Finals triumph. He has also set a bold new goal: to surpass Wang Chuqin on points and become the next world No. 1.

From the current points gap, Harimoto trails Hugo by only about 100 points, making an overtake next month a realistic possibility. He is also less than 1,500 points behind Lin Shidong, which—depending on results over the next few months—keeps the door open for a further climb. With Harimoto in strong form and the top spots increasingly competitive, the battle at the summit is heating up fast.