In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Chinese paddlers Wang Yidi and Xiang Peng clinched the women’s and men’s singles titles respectively at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Incheon held in the Republic of Korea on Sunday.
Wang Yidi faced a formidable challenge against her compatriot Chen Xingtong in an intense seven-game showdown. After trailing behind and losing three games, Wang staged an extraordinary comeback. She rallied six consecutive points in the final moments of the decisive game, ultimately securing her victory with scores of 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 12-14, 11-9, 11-6, and 12-10.
“This match was truly challenging for me,” Wang reflected after her win. “I was essentially playing catch-up throughout, but I kept strategizing ways to shift the momentum. Ultimately, what brought me victory was the faith of refusing to surrender.”
On the men’s side, the unseeded Xiang Peng emerged as a dark horse in the tournament. He advanced to the final after stunning victories over second seed Hugo Calderano in the quarterfinals and fifth seed Patrick Franziska in the semifinals. In the final, Xiang delivered a dominant performance against South Korea’s Lee Sang-su, securing the title in just 25 minutes with scores of 11-8, 11-0, 11-3, and 11-4.
“It’s somewhat unexpected to clinch the title, and it marks a breakthrough victory for me,” Xiang shared after his triumph. “I didn’t overthink the outcome before the match and just focused on the games. Having gone through a slump recently, this achievement boosted my confidence, proving my continuous efforts weren’t in vain.”
The victories of Wang and Xiang highlight the rising talent and perseverance of Chinese table tennis players on the international stage.
