China to defend world team championships title without table tennis star Fan Zhendong

Fan Zhendong has opted out of China’s defence of its World Team Table Tennis Championships title, sparking fears among fans that this could be the year the men finally lose.

The reigning National Games singles champion, Fan qualified automatically for the tournament, which runs from April 28 to May 10 in London, but reportedly gave up his spot for “personal reasons”.

At the previous championships in South Korea two years ago, Fan was instrumental in securing China’s 11th consecutive title, notably winning two crucial points in the semi-final against the hosts in Busan.

Responding to a question last July about his future with the national team, Fan said he did not “have the ability strong enough to bear the pressure from all sides”.

In the 29-year-old’s absence, China’s men will be led by world No 1 Wang Chuqin, with Lin Shidong, Zhou Qihao, Xiang Peng and Liang Jingkun also involved. On the women’s side, world No 1 Sun Yingsha will head a team that includes Wang Manyu, Chen Xingtong, Kuai Man and Wang Yidi.

Public anxiety is mounting as China currently holds only two spots in the men’s world top 10.

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