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Mike Chan

Chinese table tennis star Wang Chuqin beat Lin Shidong in the WTT Champions Chongqing final on Sunday and will take his opponent’s world No 1 spot, following a tough week in his personal life.
Wang produced a ruthless display to secure an 11-5, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 victory at the Huaxi LIVE Yudong Arena to claim his second Champions title.
Victory came on the back of a difficult week for Wang, who received a call during the tournament telling him of an incident at home and, after winning the final, made a heart gesture with his fingers to the crowd.
“The heart was not for the fans but my family,” he said. “During this tournament, I was told something happened in my family.
“It was a very tough week, but I was fighting for my country; it’s also a responsibility for me as a professional athlete and a member of the Chinese table tennis team.

“I hope my family sees me winning this tournament, as well as the gesture – I hope it gives my family some strength.”
With his second title of the year – after whitewashing fellow Chinese player Liang Jingkun at the Asian Cup in Shenzhen in February – Wang will knock Lin off his ITTF men’s singles top spot, which the 19-year-old from Hainan claimed only in January after triumphing at the WTT Singapore Smash.
“Against Lin, my performance was really beyond my imagination,” the 24-year-old Wang said. “I didn’t even expect to win beforehand. I just wanted to enjoy the final, as it had been a tough journey getting here.
“I believe we were evenly matched, though he has had the upper hand recently. So I maintained a good mentality, ready to give it my all. In general, I think I performed pretty well.”
In the women’s event, Sun Yingsha successfully defended her title after easing past compatriot Chen Xingtong 4-0.
No 4 seed Chen was handed a place in the final after Wang Manyu was forced to retire when leading 2-1 in the semi-final on Saturday.

Seeking her first WTT Champions title, Chen, however, was well beaten in the final showdown against the world No 1, going down 11-7, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7 in just over 36 minutes.
It was Sun’s sixth Champions title, following three titles in Incheon, Chongqing and Macau last year.
“I think I’ve done a brilliant job both in the semi-final and the final,” said the 24-year-old Sun, who also won the WTT Smash title in Singapore. “I was more focused today.
“Winning in the semi-final from 2-0 down was good preparation for the final. I took the initiative in terms of my transition of shots and the first three shots, so I was in great control of the match.”
Key members of the Chinese national team, including the likes of Sun and Wang, will head to Ningbo for the National Games qualifiers, which run from March 20 to 26.
Reigning Olympic men’s and women’s champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng, as well as the legendary Ma Long, are also set to play in the six-day tournament.


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ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation)

Sun Yingsha (left) and Wang Chuqin hold their trophies after the WTT Champions Chongqing finals. Photo: Xinhua

 Wang Chuqin hits a return during the men’s final against Lin Shidong. Photo: Xinhua

Women’s world No 1 Sun Yingsha (left) and Chen Xingtong during the award ceremony. Photo: Xinhua

Former Chinese national team coach Wu Jinping, right, said the governing body of table tennis has made a mess of the sport. Photo: AFP

WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu tells Hong Kong pupils to ‘dream big’ on third leg of Asia tour

Heep Yunn School pupils watch on as WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu runs through some drills. Photo: Eugene Lee

WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu shouts encouragement to players running a drill at Heep Yunn School in Kowloon. Photo: Eugene Lee

Sport

China

Other Sport

Wang’s second title of the year, which also gives him No 1 spot, comes after a ‘very tough week’ for his family


Wang’s second title of the year, which also gives him No 1 spot, comes after a ‘very tough week’ for his family.
