China’s Table Tennis Stars Shine: Fan Zhendong and Wang Manyu Rule at Home as Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha Hold World No. 1 Spots

On February 3, 2026 (Beijing time), Table Tennis World officially released its annual performance report on the core players of the Chinese National Table Tennis Team for the 2025 season. The data highlights another year of dominance across both domestic and international competitions. Fan Zhendong and Wang Manyu topped the domestic singles charts with perfect records, while Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha led China’s charge on the global stage. At the same time, the rapid rise of young talents such as Lin Shidong and Kuai Man injected fresh momentum into the team’s future.

In the men’s singles, Fan Zhendong once again set the benchmark. With a flawless 23–0 record, he became the second player after Ma Long to successfully defend the National Games men’s singles title. Along the way, he defeated top contenders including Wang Chuqin and Lin Shidong, collecting six golds, three silvers, and two bronzes over the season. His cumulative National Games achievements have now surpassed those of Wang Tao, placing him alone at the top of the historical rankings. His consistency and composure in crucial points were widely described as “formidable,” reaffirming his role as the anchor of the men’s team.

Wang Chuqin followed closely with a 29–3 record and a 90.6% win rate. Balancing domestic leagues, the National Games, and international tournaments throughout the year, he helped Shandong Weiqiao reclaim the China Table Tennis Super League’s “Dragon Cup” and guided Beijing to its first National Games men’s team gold in 32 years. Internationally, his 93% win rate made him the most reliable performer on the men’s side, while triple crowns in singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles at events such as the World Championships in Doha and the WTT China Grand Smash underscored his all-around excellence. A total of 15 titles across the season reflected his growing stature as a complete player.

Ranked third was rising star Lin Shidong, who posted a strong 26–4 record. Known for combining explosive attacking power with increasing stability, he claimed silver in the National Games singles after a narrow loss to Fan Zhendong and played a key role in helping Hainan achieve a historic breakthrough. Although his absence from the Super League semifinals and finals was a missed opportunity, his 19–3 internal record still established him as a core player at the Huangshi training base. Internationally, an 81% win rate revealed areas for improvement in decisive matches, leaving ample room for future growth.

On the women’s side, Wang Manyu stood at the top with a perfect 14–0 record, successfully defending her National Games singles title. She became only the fourth player, after Jiao Zhimin, Deng Yaping, and Zhang Yining, to achieve back-to-back championships. Despite fluctuations in form during the first half of the year, her strong rebound in the latter half—capped by a China Grand Smash singles title—reaffirmed her technical completeness and mental resilience.

Sun Yingsha followed with a 17–1 record and a 94.1% win rate. She claimed both the World Cup and World Championships singles titles, continuing her pursuit of a full Grand Slam. Although she narrowly missed out on the National Games singles crown once again, her dominance against international opponents, with a 93% overseas win rate, remained a cornerstone of China’s Olympic-cycle strategy. Even with a late-season injury forcing her withdrawal from competition, her record 182 weeks as world No. 1 underscored her enduring authority.

Third place went to Wang Yidi, who delivered a steady 17–3 performance. While her National Games singles run ended in the quarterfinals, she was flawless in team events, winning all four matches and demonstrating reliability under pressure. Her consistency has made her a vital pillar of the team’s second tier.

The 2025 season also marked accelerated growth for the next generation. Lin Shidong and Kuai Man led the way with heavy international schedules—106 matches for Lin and 118 for Kuai—posting win rates of 81% and 78% respectively. On the women’s side, Kuai Man surged to world No. 3, while her mixed doubles partnership with Lin Shidong climbed to the top of the world rankings, drawing attention for its left-handed adaptability and tactical potential. Young players such as Chen Yi also impressed at the WTT United States Grand Smash, defeating established opponents and showcasing dark-horse promise.

Overall, the 2025 campaign saw China’s national team deliver an impressive balance of domestic stability and international strength. The commanding home dominance of Fan Zhendong and Wang Manyu, combined with the global leadership of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, highlighted the success of generational transition. At the same time, lingering challenges—such as men’s doubles consistency abroad and the young players’ performance in high-pressure matches—remain key areas for continued focus.