Xinhua
11 May 2026, 12:46 GMT+10
LONDON, May 11 (Xinhua) -- China secured a record-extending 12th consecutive men's team title at the World Table Tennis Championships on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Japan behind another stunning comeback from Liang Jingkun.
Just one day after rallying from two games down against France's Alexis Lebrun in the semifinals, Liang repeated the feat against Japan's top player Tomokazu Harimoto.
Liang struggled early on, dropping the opening two games 11-8 and 11-4 as Harimoto dictated play with relentless pace and aggression. But the Chinese player gradually found his rhythm and turned the match around with fearless attacking play, taking the next two games 11-9 and 13-11.
Harimoto appeared on course for victory after building an 8-3 lead in the deciding game, only for Liang to produce a late surge. Roaring after every winner, Liang reeled off eight consecutive points to complete an 11-8 victory and ignite celebrations inside the arena.
"From yesterday to today, I feel like I've been reborn," Liang said afterward. "To come back from 2-0 down in two matches at a team world championships means a lot to me. I'm proud that I never gave up."
World No. 1 Wang Chuqin then overcame rising Japanese talent Sora Matsushima in four games. After losing the opener, Wang steadied himself to win three straight games and put China within one point of the title.
"I think Liang's victory gave all of us confidence," Wang said. "Even after losing the first game, I stayed calm because the team spirit was already there."
Lin Shidong sealed China's victory after defeating Shunsuke Togami in four games in the third rubber. The young Chinese player celebrated wildly after securing the winning point, leaping onto the table as teammates rushed onto the court.
Lin revealed that coaches and team officials had encouraged him following his semifinal defeat against France and continued to trust him in the final.
China has won all men's team world titles since 2001.
Get a daily dose of BC Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to BC Post.
More InformationJAKARTA, Indonesia: More than 300 foreign nationals, mainly from Vietnam, were arrested by the Indonesian police on Satyrday, for alleged...
SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea's parliamentary speaker, Woo Won-shik, said this week that a bill to change the constitution and make...
DUBLIN, Ireland: Lawyers for three men who targeted a vulnerable teenager and lured her into a car before driving her to Dollymount...
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California: Google has agreed to pay US$50 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by Black employees who alleged...
WASHINGTON, D.C.:/CAIRO: Even as the forces of the United States and Iran exchanged fire in the Middle East on May 8, a U.S. intelligence...
PARIS, France: French prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation targeting Elon Musk and social media platform X over allegations...
(Photo credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images) After a much-maligned race to the bottom of the standings, the first round of the draft...
LONDON, May 11 (Xinhua) -- China secured a record-extending 12th consecutive men's team title at the World Table Tennis Championships...
(260511) -- MEXICO CITY, May 11, 2026 (Xinhua) -- A woman rides past football-themed graffiti in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, May...
Melbourne [Australia], May 11 (ANI): The pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will miss the white-ball series...
Jeddah [Saudi Arabia], May 11 (ANI): India's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 campaign came to a...
London [UK], May 11 (ANI): A late strike from Leandro Trossard helped Arsenal's Premier League hopes massively as they defeated West...
