Women's singles world No. 1 Sun Yingsha has withdrawn from the World Table Tennis Champions event in Doha, scheduled for January 7-11, 2026, marking her third consecutive tournament absence since reporting physical discomfort earlier this month. The Chinese table tennis star will be replaced by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region athlete Doo Hoi Kem in the high-profile competition.
Sun's withdrawal follows her mid-match exit during the WTT Finals semifinals in early December 2025 and subsequent absence from the Chinese Table Tennis Super League Finals that concluded Sunday in Nanjing. Despite these setbacks, the 25-year-old phenom secured her fourth straight year-end world No. 1 ranking this week.
China's revised women's singles roster now features Wang Manyu, Chen Xingtong, Wang Yidi, Chen Yi, and Kuai Man. The adjustment comes as national team coaches prioritize athlete health management ahead of 2026's packed competition calendar.
Table tennis analysts note Sun's absence creates opportunities for emerging players while underscoring the physical demands of elite competition. The Doha event remains a key testing ground for Asian athletes preparing for major 2026 tournaments, including the Asian Games and World Team Championships.
