Japanese Media: China's "Breeding Wolves" Strategy in Table Tennis Backfires on the National Team
Japanese sports media THE ANSWER published an article stating that China's long-standing "breeding wolves" strategy targeting foreign table tennis players has ultimately produced opponents capable of making Chinese players tremble.
The World Table Tennis Championships concluded on the 9th in Yokohama. In the men's singles, Zhang Zhijun claimed victory once again. Meanwhile, Zhang Zhihui won her first women's singles title. The siblings achieved a remarkable feat together.
Zhang Zhihui, ranked world No. 3, defeated three Chinese players consecutively during this tournament. In the semifinals, she overcame Wang Yundi, ranked No. 6 globally; then triumphed 4-2 over Chen Xingtong, the reigning champion and world No. 5, to claim her first title at this event.
Fans flooded the comments section with remarks such as: “For the next ten years, Zhang Zhihui will be the strongest opponent for China’s women’s team—not one among many, but the strongest.” “Besides Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, no one else can beat Zhang Zhihui. That’s reality.” Others questioned: “Has China’s table tennis started its decline?”
Moreover, some believe Japan’s dual victories in both men’s and women’s categories are due to China’s long-running “breeding wolves” initiative, which cultivated overseas athletes—now the “wolves have grown strong.”
2026 WTT Yokohama Champions Cup
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873100277359625/
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