China’s 26-year-old table tennis star Wang Chuqin has firmly established himself as the new anchor of the men’s national team. At the recent World Team Table Tennis Championships in London, he delivered a flawless 10-0 record, powering China to a 3-0 victory over Japan in the final and securing the team’s 12th consecutive world title. The triumph came on May 11, which also marked Wang’s 26th birthday — making the gold medal an unforgettable gift.
At the post-match press conference, organizers surprised Wang with a birthday cake. Beaming with joy, he enjoyed a piece of chocolate from the cake as teammates and staff clapped and sang for him. Lin Shidong also sneaked a piece of the treat, reflecting the squad’s relaxed yet hungry mood after a hard-fought campaign.
This marks the first time Wang Chuqin has led China as the core player to a team world championship title. He also collected the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award — his first men’s MVP honor at a team world championship. Although he was part of winning teams in 2018, 2022, and 2024, those squads were anchored by Ma Long and Fan Zhendong. With Ma Long retiring from national duties after the Paris Olympics and Fan Zhendong stepping away from the ITTF ranking system to play in European leagues, Wang has stepped up as the new linchpin under the guidance of head coach Wang Hao.
Wang Chuqin had already reached world No. 1 in singles but lacked major individual titles until last year. He claimed his first World Singles Championship in 2025 and followed up with the 2026 World Cup singles crown. Now, with a commanding team performance and MVP honors, his era has truly begun.
Wang’s undefeated run was crucial in stabilizing the team after early group-stage losses to South Korea and Sweden. While teammates Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun, and Zhou Qihao struggled, Wang remained the bedrock, inspiring them to regroup. In the knockout stages, his brilliance spurred Liang to a stunning comeback against Tomokazu Harimoto and Lin to a solid win over Yukiya Uda. Wang Hao’s trust in Wang Chuqin as the new core has paid off, and the 26-year-old is now the player to beat.
