Just caught Wang Chuqin’s run at the 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships at Astana… what a ride! Despite not bagging a single’s medal, Wang delivered as the “Player X” of the Chinese men’s national team, playing like the lead in a high-stakes drama. But things started… a little shaky.
Right out of the gate, Wang got ambushed by a 14-year-old Iranian wonder teenager. No kidding, Benyamin Faraji, who was probably still cramming for a middle school test between matches, took down the world #1 in five sets. The kicker? Rumors were swirling that CNT didn’t even get to practice with the official game ball—a new edition of the 729 seamless ball—before Wang’s match. Since he was the first Chinese player on the court, he was also the first to experience them in actual play—not exactly an ideal way to break them in. And the CNT coach Xiao Zhan was even literally seen asking officials for the exact game balls after Wang’s first game. Wait, what? 😅 So you’re telling me the CNT’s days of preparation meant nothing?
Why was this a problem? Well, this particular ball was lighter and had a different bounce, something many players openly commented on later. Being lighter, it was harder for strong forehand attackers like Wang to generate power, while favoring players who relied on long-pips or the spin-heavy backhand. Apparently, the higher the level of the player, the greater the impact and the longer the adjustment period. And if I remember correctly, Faraji had, what, 8 or 9 lucky points? (plus even more non-scoring lucky balls.) That was also the impact of the new seamless balls, I think.
I’m not here to throw shade on Faraji who played like a rising star. But it was weird how the headlines only focused on and mocked Wang’s “shocking” defeat, completely ignoring the equipment issues. It felt like a Hollywood movie that jumps straight to the big twist with zero context. Makes for a juicy headline? Sure. Worth-watching? Not really.
After that “hold my paddle” moment, Wang went on a tear:
Smoked Noshad Alamiyan (3-1) Served Oh Junsung and An Jaehyun for breakfast (both 3-1) Made Kao Cheng-Jui disappear faster than my New Year’s resolutions (3-0) (Check out my other post for the showdown between Wang and Kao.)
But the real MVP moment? That five-set thriller against Lin Yun-Ju in the men’s team final. Down two sets (the first was a horrific 1-11!), Wang clawed his way back in a nail-biting third set so sweet it’ll give you cavities. He sealed the game 3-2 against Lin, securing China’s a 3-1 victory, and defending their title. Jayden and I were practically screaming at the screen (YouTube livestream at lunchtime) while he was frying shrimp that ended up burning. No one could ignore Wang’s exhaustion and the strain on his chest muscles and left arm. By the end, he had played four games (16 sets!) in one day.
📌 (Update Oct 26, 2024): Got footage of the team returning to their hotel past midnight after that marathon day… with no meals arranged or available. Crazy?
📌 (Update Nov 10, 2024): I just noticed that on-site fans were cheering Wang on at the start of the critical third set: “Wang Chuqin, hold on a little longer!” What a touching show of support!)
📌 (Update Nov 16, 2024): Wang’s been in a slump lately. Even though he led the team to gold, he’s lost more singles titles. (My opinion on this situation.)
📌 (Update Feb 6, 2025): We finally know what Wang was going through—mental pressure, exhaustion, even depression. A newly released interview reveals why he looked so out of form back then. Heartbreaking. 💔🥺
Back to the game, what really stood out was how Wang adjusted his scoring strategy under these tricky conditions. Anyone who follows ping-pong knows he’s a beast at the table—his powerful, low-trajectory shots and sharp placements usually give him a killer edge. But this aggressive approach leaves little room for error, and with these new seamless balls, unpredictability was through the roof. Even a slight technical misfire or off-feel could send the ball flying. These balls were not friendly to power-oriented players who rely on precision. So in the finals, Wang switched it up. Instead of pushing for aggressive shots, he focused on consistency, keeping the ball in play, extending rallies, and mixing in some controlled spin variations to secure points. What impressed me most was how he found a way to go with the flow, overriding his natural attacking instincts to play a more balanced game.
https://youtu.be/RMS-jqJH9-k?si=xsUCr2Ew-12YLcqn
For the first time, Wang Chuqin had to step up as the lead role of the men’s team, filling the massive shoes left by legends like Ma Long. Did Cinderella deliver at the ball! Despite all the curveballs (literally!) and pressure that would make most of us huddle in a corner, he kept his cool like a potato in a freezer.
Since watching his games of the Mixed Team World Cup in Chengdu of 2023, I’ve picked up on something special about the Chinese national team—their unity involves deep-rooted patriotism and collective spirit, wrapped in a distinctively Chinese style that’s hard to put into words. This Asian Championship victory wasn’t just about Wang. The young Lin Shidong deserves a standing ovation for showing up everywhere—men’s team, singles, doubles, and mixed doubles—carrying more pressure than my last-minute grocery bags. Liang Jingkun had a tough day at the office but stayed locked in, proving what real team spirit looks like.
All in all, Wang just showed us what happens when you mix talent, perseverance, and a bit of “hold my bubble tea” energy. From getting schooled by a teenager to schooling everyone else, he proved that even when things get messy, and the world throws mysterious curveballs, you just keep swinging. Here’s hoping he keeps up this level of cool-headed heroics in future tournaments! 🏆
More Info & Review
Breaking Down: Wang Chuqin vs. Kao Cheng-Jui at Asian Championships
Read Also