China's unparalleled dominance in table tennis has long been accepted as a given, but recent performances suggest their stranglehold on trophies may be loosening.
The WTT Finals in Kitakyushu, Japan, featured 16 of the season's best men's and women's singles players and the top eight doubles pairings competing for the coveted titles.
However, Chinese fans were in for a shocking surprise as the men's team faced unexpected challenges.
On the opening day of the tournament, the Chinese men's team suffered four consecutive losses in both the men's singles and doubles events. In doubles, both pairings exited in the first round, prematurely ending their title hopes.
Reference(s):
Chinese big hitters suffer shocking early exits at WTT Finals Fukuoka
cgtn.com