 claimed a spectacular victory in the Women’s Singles final against Wang Manyu (CHN), and Fan Zhendong (CHN) emerged victorious in the Men's Singles against Wang Chuqin (CHN). The intense battle, witnessed by nearly 10,000 enthusiastic fans at the Huaxi International Sports and Culture Center, underscored the event’s debut in Southwest China, delivering top-tier table tennis action and riveting drama.){kind=link}
In an electrifying conclusion to WTT Champions Chongqing 2024 Presented by Changan, Sun Yingsha (CHN) claimed a spectacular victory in the Women’s Singles final against Wang Manyu (CHN), and Fan Zhendong (CHN) emerged victorious in the Men’s Singles against Wang Chuqin (CHN). The intense battle, witnessed by nearly 10,000 enthusiastic fans at the Huaxi International Sports and Culture Center, underscored the event’s debut in Southwest China, delivering top-tier table tennis action and riveting drama.
The final showdown was nothing short of a blockbuster, with Sun Yingsha edging out Wang Manyu in a nerve-wracking seven-game match (11-13, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9). Reflecting on her victory, Sun said, “I am thrilled to have won this match, and I believe it is deserving of acknowledgment. This final mirrored the ups and downs, our performances, and even the final score of the ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup 2024. With such a close score against Wang Manyu, we’re both winners. Both of us gave it our all until the very last moment, fighting for every point throughout the match.”
In the Men’s Singles final, Fan Zhendong was crowned champion, holding his nerve in a roller coaster final to deny a magical comeback reversal from Wang Chuqin (11-9, 11-9, 11-2, 8-11, 6-11, 8-11, 11-4). Following his win, Fan stated, “It was a very tough match, with many ups and downs throughout. I faced a lot of challenges on my way to the trophy. While I didn’t manage to solve and overcome all of them, I fought very determinedly in the decider. With a bit of luck and some other factors, I eventually won it today. I’ll definitely reflect on the lessons learned from it.”
From 30 May to 3 June, fans have been treated to edge-of-their-seat matches, and surprise autograph sessions with stars like Jeon Jihee (KOR), Lin Gaoyuan (CHN), Omar Assar (EGY), Lin Yun-Ju (TPE), Hugo Calderano (BRA), and Timo Boll (GER).
The WTT Champions event marked an emotional occasion for table tennis legend Timo Boll, marking his last professional appearance in China before retiring after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Boll captivated the crowd with his performances, and his farewell was filled with emotion. Reflecting on his storied career and his final matches in China, Boll shared, “The atmosphere was awesome, thousands of people, I don’t know, 10,000 crazy fans who gave me such joy to play here and also so much warmth and love. And it felt completely right. Everything started here. I won my first world title here in 2002 against my big idol Kong Linghui in a also crazy close game. I couldn’t imagine a better end.”
As WTT Champions Chongqing 2024 Presented by Changan wraps up, it leaves behind a legacy of spectacular sportsmanship and memorable moments at the heart of Southwest China.