No player in ITTF World Cup history, man or woman, has conquered the tournament more times than Liu Shiwen. Her five ITTF World Cups span a remarkable decade—2009, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019. While fellow Chinese legends Wang Nan and Zhang Yining each claimed four Women’s World Cup titles, Liu stands alone at the summit with five.
Liu Shiwen announced herself on the global stage at ITTF Women’s World Cup 2009 in Guangzhou. At just 18 years old, she upset compatriot and established star Guo Yue in a thrilling seven-game final (11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-3, 3-11, 11-3). The match, lasting over an hour, showcased the young player’s remarkable poise under pressure as she fought back despite falling behind after three games.
Three years after her breakthrough, Liu returned to the top step of the podium at ITTF World Cup 2012 in Huangshi. She dominated Romania’s Elizabeta Samara in a straight games final (11-6, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3), confirming her status as not just a promising talent but a consistent champion.
Liu made history at ITTF World Cup 2013 in Kobe, Japan, becoming only the third woman after Wang Nan and Zhang Yining to win the tournament three times. Facing defensive specialist and teammate Wu Yang in the final, Liu delivered a masterclass in attacking table tennis, winning in four straight games (11-3, 11-7, 11-7, 11-2).
ITTF World Cup 2015 in Sendai saw Liu claim her fourth title, equalling the record set by her legendary predecessors Wang Nan and Zhang Yining. Facing Japan’s home favourite Kasumi Ishikawa in the final, Liu once again demonstrated her championship pedigree with a dominant straight games victory (14-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-2).
Liu Shiwen’s fifth and final World Cup triumph at ITTF World Cup 2019 in Chengdu stands as one of the most significant achievements in table tennis history. With this victory over teammate Zhu Yuling in six gripping games (4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9), she became the most successful World Cup player ever. Coming four years after her fourth title and following her World Championship victory earlier that year, this record-breaking performance showcased Liu’s extraordinary longevity and competitive spirit. At 28, she combined the technical precision of her youth with the tactical wisdom of a veteran to secure her place in table tennis immortality.
What made Liu Shiwen such a dominant force at the World Cup was her combination of technical excellence, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience. Throughout her decade of World Cup appearances, she continuously evolved her game to remain at the pinnacle of the sport even as new challengers emerged. When under pressure, Liu demonstrated the champion’s ability to find another level when it mattered most.
As players prepare for the ITTF Women’s World Cup Macao 2025, Liu Shiwen’s legacy remains the benchmark against which all performances are measured. Her five titles across a decade of competition have set a standard of excellence that may never be surpassed—the definitive record-breaker in World Cup history.
The ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2025 takes place from 14-20 April at the Galaxy Arena in Macao, China.
