Sun Yingsha Defends Title as Calderano Makes History at ITTF World Cup in Macao
In a thrilling showcase of table tennis prowess, China’s World No. 1 Sun Yingsha successfully defended her women’s singles title at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup held in the Macao Special Administrative Region on Sunday.
Sun, demonstrating exceptional skill and composure, swept past compatriot Kuai Man with a decisive 4-0 victory in the finals, solidifying her dominance in the sport.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Hugo Calderano made history by becoming the first Brazilian player to clinch the men’s singles title at the tournament. Calderano overcame a strong start from China’s Lin Shidong, ultimately rallying to a 4-1 victory.
“Lin Shidong started really strong, but I think I was able to find some solutions,” Calderano reflected after the match. “Winning the second game gave me a boost, and I could play better and better throughout the match.”
Calderano acknowledged the continued excellence of Chinese players in the sport but also noted the increasing global competition. “There may be more teams that can challenge China’s dominance, but China is still the best in the world,” he said.
Looking ahead to the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships slated for May in Doha, Qatar, Sun emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation. “After this tournament, the first thing to focus on is body recovery,” she stated. “I hope to perform even better there because the World Championships will bring together more top players and stronger competition. The unknowns and challenges will only increase.”
The ITTF World Cup in Macao showcased the rising talent and fierce competition in table tennis, setting the stage for an exciting World Championships next year.
