This weekend in Macao SAR, Shanghai's Fan Zhendong successfully defended his men's singles crown at China's 15th National Games, overpowering Hainan's Lin Shidong 4-1 in a gripping final.
The Paris Olympics champion survived a nervy start, trailing 9-4 in the opening game before rattling off seven straight points to clinch it 11-9. Lin, just 20 years old and the first paddler from Hainan to reach a National Games final, bounced back to take game two 11-8.
From there, Fan seized control, dominating the next three games 11-5, 11-3 and 11-4 with a blend of power and precision that underscored his elite status on China's biggest sporting stage.
Lin Shidong's breakthrough performance hints at a rising challenger on the national circuit, setting the scene for more thrilling matchups in the years ahead. Meanwhile, Fan's victory cements his legacy and adds another chapter to Shanghai's storied table tennis success.
As the National Games showcase regional talent and fierce competition, global fans can look forward to more captivating contests and emerging stars from Macao SAR and beyond.
Reference(s):
Fan, Wang retain table tennis singles championships at National Games
cgtn.com
