Sun Yingsha defends her crown in thrilling seven-game final
World No. 1 and defending champion Sun Yingsha successfully retained her women’s singles crown in a pulsating seven-game final against compatriot Wang Manyu, in what will be remembered as one of the all-time classic matches in World Championship history.
The nearly 90-minute contest was a rollercoaster of momentum swings and high-quality rallies, with both players showcasing extraordinary skill, tactical depth, and mental resilience.
Sun came out of the gates firing, dominating the opening two games with clinical precision. But Wang responded brilliantly, adjusting her tactics to play more aggressively, especially by stepping around for her powerful pivot forehand. The change paid off as she took the next two games in convincing fashion to level the match at 2-2.
The fifth game proved to be a turning point. Wang earned a game point at 10-9, but Sun responded with three straight points under pressure to seize the game 12-10 and regain the lead.
In the sixth, Sun looked poised to close out the match with a 10-6 advantage, only for Wang to mount a remarkable comeback. Displaying immense grit, Wang saved four match points—helped in part by a fortunate edge ball at 9-10—before taking the game 13-11 to force a decider.
Sun appeared out of rhythm in the early stages of the final game and trailed 5-7. However, showing the poise and champion’s mentality that has defined her rise to the top, she flipped the momentum with a stunning six-point run—her longest streak of the match—to take the game 11-7 and seal a dramatic victory.
With this win, Sun Yingsha not only defended her World Championship title but also joined an elite group of women who have achieved back-to-back titles on the world stage. The victory further solidifies her status as the pre-eminent force in women’s table tennis today.
The final scoreline (in Sun Yingsha’s favour) read – 11-6, 12-10, 8-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-13, 11-7.
Wang Chuqin wins maiden World Championship title
World No. 2 Wang Chuqin of China delivered a masterclass performance to claim his first Men’s Singles World Championship title, defeating World No. 3 Hugo Calderano of Brazil 4-1 (12-10, 11-9, 4-11, 11-2, 11-7) in a high-quality final.
With this triumph, Wang not only secures his place in table tennis history but also becomes the first left-handed Men’s Singles World Champion in over three decades—since Frenchman Jean-Philippe Gatien’s victory in 1993.
The victory also served as sweet revenge for Wang, who had suffered a narrow 3-4 defeat to Calderano just weeks earlier in the semifinals of the ITTF World Cup in Macao. This time, however, the Chinese star left no room for doubt, bringing his A-game in both physical preparation and tactical execution.
From the outset, Wang imposed himself with relentless pressure, denying Calderano the chance to settle into his offensive rhythm. Utilizing heavy topspin, particularly from his forehand side, Wang consistently forced Calderano away from the table and into defensive positions. His strategic targeting of the Brazilian’s crossover point—the awkward zone between forehand and backhand—left Calderano guessing and often off-balance, producing weak returns that Wang punished with clinical precision.
Although Calderano came into the final riding a wave of momentum—unbeaten since the start of the ITTF World Cup—he struggled to find answers against Wang’s intensity. The Brazilian had his moments, including a 10-7 lead in the opening game and a solid win in the third, but Wang swiftly regained control and dictated the pace in the latter stages.
Despite the loss, it was a landmark tournament for Calderano. His silver medal is the first-ever for Brazil and Latin America in the Men’s Singles at the World Championships, a historic achievement that further cements his status as the trailblazer of Pan American table tennis.
For Wang Chuqin, this victory is a defining milestone—an emphatic arrival on the grandest stage of all, and a testament to his growth as one of the sport’s most formidable and complete players.
Togami and Shinozuka break the shackles, create history
Japan’s Shunsuke Togami and Hiroto Shinozuka clinched the Men’s Doubles title at the World Table Tennis Championships after a thrilling five-game battle against Chinese Taipei’s Kao Cheng-Jui and Lin Yun-Ju. The Japanese duo triumphed 3-2, with game scores of 6-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6.
The Japanese pair showcased a clear tactical understanding throughout the match, with left-handed Shinozuka playing a stabilizing role, minimizing risks and controlling the tempo, while Togami took on the enforcer’s mantle—his explosive forehand proving to be a decisive weapon. Both players served with precision, particularly against Lin Yun-Ju, one of the game’s premier receivers renowned for his backhand banana flick. Their tactical serving and well-placed spins effectively neutralized his signature returns.
The match featured several spectacular rallies, particularly in mid-and long-distance exchanges. Togami’s forehand was in sublime form, generating sharp angles and heavy swerve with exceptional body rotation. Shinozuka complemented him perfectly by maintaining control close to the table, creating opportunities and absorbing pressure when required.
Despite holding a 2-1 lead, Kao and Lin were unable to maintain their momentum. The Japanese duo, guided astutely by coach Masataka Morizono—a 2017 Men’s Doubles silver medalist—seized the initiative in the fourth and fifth games. Chinese Taipei’s pair, having started with aggressive intent, adopted a more cautious approach late in the match, particularly Lin, whose reduced risk-taking proved costly. The shift allowed the Japanese pair to dictate play and close out the match confidently.
This victory marks the end of Japan’s 64-year wait for a Men’s Doubles World Championship title, with the previous champions being Nobuya Hoshino and Koji Kimura in 1961. For Chinese Taipei, the quest continues, with their last title dating back to 2013, when Chuang Chih-Yuan and Chen Chien-An captured gold.
Togami and Shinozuka’s triumph stands as a testament to their tactical discipline, synergy, and the resurgence of Japanese men’s doubles on the world stage.
Wang Manyu and Kuai Man combine to bring home China’s fourth gold medal
China’s Wang Manyu and Kuai Man capped off the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships with a commanding performance, defeating Austria’s Sofia Polcanova and Romania’s Bernadette Szőcs 3-0 (11-6, 11-6, 11-5) to win the Women’s Doubles title.
The final proved to be a one-sided affair, as the Chinese duo showcased their class and composure, dismantling the European pair with ruthless efficiency. Wang and Kuai, who entered the match as clear favourites, delivered a performance that fully justified their billing, controlling the proceedings from start to finish with seamless coordination and clinical shot-making.
For Wang Manyu, the victory was a strong response to the disappointment of narrowly losing the Women’s Singles final. She led by example, using her vast experience to guide her younger teammate Kuai Man, who was appearing in her first World Championship final. Their synergy proved unbreakable throughout the tournament.
Remarkably, Wang and Kuai claimed the Women’s Doubles title without dropping a single game—a rare and emphatic feat that underscores their dominance and tactical superiority in the discipline. This marks Wang’s third Women’s Doubles World Championship crown, while it is the first for Kuai Man.
Despite falling short in the final, Polcanova and Szőcs made history of their own, becoming the first all-European pair to reach the Women’s Doubles final since Romania’s Maria Alexandru and Eleonora Mihalca in 1969.
The 2025 World Table Tennis Championships delivered unforgettable moments, historic breakthroughs, and masterful displays of skill and resilience. From Japan’s long-awaited triumph to China’s continued supremacy, the tournament celebrated both legacy and evolution. As the dust settles, the sport looks ahead with renewed excitement and promise.
