In the vibrant sports scene of the Macao Special Administrative Region, table tennis took center stage as Sun Yingsha defended her women’s singles title at the ITTF World Cup and Brazil’s Hugo Calderano etched his name into history.
Sun Yingsha, the ITTF world No. 1 from the Chinese mainland, swept past Kuai Man, another top contender from the Chinese mainland, 4-0 in Sunday’s final. The dominant performance showcased Sun’s blend of precise offense and tactical depth, reaffirming her status at the pinnacle of women’s table tennis.
On the men’s side, Calderano put in a masterclass comeback to defeat host favorite Lin Shidong 4-1. “Lin Shidong started really strong, but finding solutions after the second game gave me the momentum,” Calderano said in his post-match review. His victory marks the first time a Brazilian athlete has claimed the ITTF World Cup men’s singles crown, a breakthrough moment for Latin American table tennis.
Beyond the headlines, the results reflect a broader shift: while players from the Chinese mainland continue to excel, the margin is tightening as global competitors invest in advanced training, sports science, and analytics. Calderano’s win signals that the world’s best serve-and-smash game is no longer confined to a single nation.
With the ITTF World Championships set to kick off in Doha, Qatar, in May, both champions have one eye on recovery and another on fresh challenges. “The World Championships will bring together more top players and tougher battles,” Sun noted. “I look forward to pushing my limits even further.”
As table tennis leaps across borders and continents, Macao’s thrilling showdowns have set the stage for an exciting season. Whether you follow the spin on your screen or plan to catch a live match, the sport’s global journey is just getting started.
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Sun Yingsha retains ITTF World Cup crown, Calderano makes history
cgtn.com
