Five of China's top table tennis talents have made a strategic pivot ahead of major domestic competitions, withdrawing from the WTT Champions event in Montpellier, France. Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha, Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun, and Wang Manyu will instead focus on preparations for China's 15th National Games, where table tennis events begin November 7 in the Macao Special Administrative Region.
The decision follows China's dominant performance at September's Asian Table Tennis Team Championships in India, where teams swept both men's and women's titles. This withdrawal highlights the intense prioritization of domestic sporting events within China's athletic ecosystem.
Analysts suggest the National Games serve as both a talent showcase and preparation platform for international events. The Macao-hosted competitions will feature emerging stars and Olympic veterans, with table tennis remaining one of China's most watched sports.
