Shanghai’s Fan Zhendong cemented his legacy as one of China’s table tennis greats on Sunday, defeating Hainan’s Lin Shidong 4-1 in a thrilling men’s singles final at the 15th National Games in the Macao SAR. The victory marks Fan’s second consecutive National Games gold in the event, echoing the achievement of his predecessor Ma Long.
Fan, 28, showcased resilience after a slow start, overturning a 9-4 deficit in the first game to win 11-9. Despite Lin’s 11-8 second-game resurgence, Fan dominated subsequent sets with aggressive play, sealing the match 11-5, 11-3, and 11-4. The win adds to Fan’s record haul of 10 National Games medals, the highest among active Chinese players.
Lin, 20, earned praise for his spirited performance, reflecting the depth of talent in Chinese table tennis. Beijing’s Wang Chuqin claimed bronze with a 4-1 victory over Liaoning’s Yuan Licen.
The event, held in Macao, highlights the region’s growing role in hosting major sports competitions. Fan’s triumph follows his January withdrawal from international rankings, signaling a strategic focus on domestic and team-based events this year.
