Japanese Media: China's Men's Table Tennis Team Returns to Glory

On May 11, Japan's sports media outlet "Table Tennis Kingdom" reported on the outcome of the men's team final at the London World Table Tennis Championships, stating: "China's men's team has reclaimed its throne as champion."

The article noted that the 13-day team event at the London World Championships concluded on May 10. The men's final, serving as the closing match of the tournament, saw China defeat Japan's fierce challenge with a 3-0 victory, securing their 24th title in the event—their 12th consecutive win.

◯ Liang Jingkun 3:2 Tomokazu Harimoto

◯ Wang Chuqin 3:1 Hikaru Shimada

◯ Lin Shidong 3:1 Hayato Koga

In the quarterfinals against South Korea and France, China had positioned Liang Jingkun as their third player. However, in the final, they moved him to second position—contrary to earlier predictions that Lin Shidong would be placed second, as he was in previous tournaments.

Harimoto faced Liang Jingkun in the opening match, with a historical record of 3 wins and 7 losses against him—favoring Liang overall. In the first set, Liang maintained intense focus from the start, making no errors, and built an early lead of 5-1. However, Harimoto managed to close the gap to 6-6 through a series of consecutive points, eventually pushing the score to 7-7, 8-8, and then 9-8. He then won two points in a row to claim the set 11-8.

In the second set, Harimoto consistently attacked Liang’s middle zone, taking an 8-3 lead and ultimately winning the set 11-4. Yet China did not concede easily. Starting from the third set, Liang refused to give Harimoto any opening, winning 11-9.

Liang accelerated his pace from the fourth set, claiming it 13-11.

At the beginning of the final set, the match seemed to follow Liang’s rhythm, as he led 8-3. At 8-5, Japan requested a timeout. During the break, Harimoto whispered to himself: “No matter the score, always believe you can do anything.” But his nightmare began here. When Harimoto appeared stiff and hesitant, Liang remained flawless, scoring eight consecutive points to clinch the set 11-8 and turn the tide, defeating Harimoto.

Liang Jingkun, hailed as a “team warrior,” had also pulled off a stunning comeback the previous day in the third match against France. His crucial victory in the opening game of the final against Japan proved decisive.

Hikaru Shimada, who took the second spot, showed no signs of being affected by Harimoto’s loss. He launched an aggressive attack against Wang Chuqin. With lightning-fast counterattacks, Shimada matched Wang point for point in the first set, winning it decisively. But when he fell behind in the second set, Wang gradually found his rhythm.

Shimada eventually gave up resistance in the third set after falling significantly behind. In the fourth set, he showed renewed aggression, leading 6-2. Wang fought back to tie at 8-8, then regained the lead at 9-8. Yet, Shimada ultimately failed to recover. Wang Chuqin won the next three sets consecutively, sealing the victory. China now led 2-0.

By the time Hayato Koga stepped onto the court, Japan’s fighting spirit had nearly been extinguished. Every time Lin Shidong scored, he raised his fist in celebration. In the end, Lin Shidong secured the final point and clinched the win.

China’s men’s table tennis team steadily found their form throughout the London tournament. In the final against Japan, they fully reasserted their dominance. Japan’s defeat marked their failure to win gold for the first time in 57 years—but they still demonstrated their strength to the world.

Breaking through China’s impenetrable defense remains a long journey for Japan’s men’s table tennis team.

2026 London World Table Tennis Championships

Original Source: toutiao.com/article/1864854269579339/

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