Chinese table tennis world No. 1 Wang Chuqin has expressed optimism about the emergence of a new generation of players following the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, acknowledging recent challenges in maintaining his own peak performance. Despite his Shandong team securing six victories during the initial phase of the Chinese Table Tennis Super League in Dalian, Wang admitted he experienced fewer personal wins than usual.

In recent matches, Wang faced defeats against Xu Haidong and Zhang Yudong and required comebacks to secure victories over 19-year-old Li Tianyang and national team member Xiang Peng. Reflecting on these results, Wang said he found both winning and losing to be difficult experiences, though he remains committed to representing China’s national table tennis team. He emphasized the importance of humility and resilience, noting that athletes should accept setbacks and focus on the next opportunity.

Since Olympic champion Fan Zhendong stepped back after his gold medal performance in Paris, Wang has taken on an expanded leadership role within the men’s team. Unlike in previous Olympic cycles when he concentrated solely on singles, Wang is now preparing for both singles and doubles events ahead of the upcoming Games. He described this dual responsibility as an “unavoidable and inescapable” duty, and he is dedicating his training to refining his form in both disciplines.

The transition has coincided with a broader period of change for China’s men’s table tennis team. Wang Lijin, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, acknowledged that the team faces significant challenges, particularly in enhancing young players’ competitiveness and experience in major tournaments. He noted that the technical and tactical aspects of doubles play require further development in both men’s and women’s squads.

Wang, 26, who serves as captain of the national men’s team, envisions continued generational shifts in the years to come. He observed that the team no longer benefits from the presence of dominant “big brothers” like predecessors Ma Long and Fan Zhendong. Instead, the emphasis remains on transferring skills and knowledge from senior players to emerging talent through rigorous competition and mentorship. Wang expressed hope that fresh talent will increasingly contribute to sustaining China’s longstanding table tennis dominance.