Beijing’s table tennis team ended a 32-year drought in dramatic fashion this week, clinching the men’s team title at the 15th National Games! 🎉 The squad, led by legendary player Ma Long, triumphed over Shanghai 3-1 in a nail-biting final that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
🏓 The showdown kicked off with Ma Long teaming up with Huang Youzheng in doubles, defeating Shanghai’s Xu Xin and Zhou Kai in a four-game thriller. But Shanghai’s Fan Zhendong—fresh off his Paris 2024 Olympic singles gold—leveled the score by overpowering Beijing’s Wang Chuqin in a tense rematch of their recent semifinal clash.
🔥 The turning point came when Ma Long, nicknamed 'the Dragon,' dominated Shanghai’s Zhou in straight games, showcasing why he’s still a force at 37. 'It’s about heart, not just skill,' one fan tweeted as Beijing took a 2-1 lead.
💪 Shanghai’s Xu Xin fought valiantly in the fourth match, but World No. 1 Wang Chuqin sealed Beijing’s victory with a masterclass in precision. The win marks Beijing’s first National Games men’s team title since 1993—a full-circle moment for Chinese table tennis.
