Gold medalist team China holds up the trophy during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
LONDON, May 10 (Xinhua) -- China secured a record-extending 12th consecutive men's team title at the World Table Tennis Championships on Sunday with a 3-0 victory over Japan behind another stunning comeback from Liang Jingkun.
Just one day after rallying from two games down against France's Alexis Lebrun in the semifinals, Liang repeated the feat against Japan's top player Tomokazu Harimoto.
Liang struggled early on, dropping the opening two games 11-8 and 11-4 as Harimoto dictated play with relentless pace and aggression. But the Chinese player gradually found his rhythm and turned the match around with fearless attacking play, taking the next two games 11-9 and 13-11.
Harimoto appeared on course for victory after building an 8-3 lead in the deciding game, only for Liang to produce a late surge. Roaring after every winner, Liang reeled off eight consecutive points to complete an 11-8 victory and ignite celebrations inside the arena.
"From yesterday to today, I feel like I've been reborn," Liang said afterward. "To come back from 2-0 down in two matches at a team world championships means a lot to me. I'm proud that I never gave up."
World No. 1 Wang Chuqin then overcame rising Japanese talent Sora Matsushima in four games. After losing the opener, Wang steadied himself to win three straight games and put China within one point of the title.
"I think Liang's victory gave all of us confidence," Wang said. "Even after losing the first game, I stayed calm because the team spirit was already there."
Lin Shidong sealed China's victory after defeating Shunsuke Togami in four games in the third rubber. The young Chinese player celebrated wildly after securing the winning point, leaping onto the table as teammates rushed onto the court.
Lin revealed that coaches and team officials had encouraged him following his semifinal defeat against France and continued to trust him in the final.
China has won all men's team world titles since 2001. ■
Gold medalist team China holds up the trophy during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Lin Shidong (2nd L) of China celebrates winning the singles match against Togami Shunsuke of Japan after the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
Lin Shidong (2nd L) of China celebrates winning the singles match against Togami Shunsuke of Japan after the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
(L-R)China's men's team player Xiang Peng, Wang Chuqin, coach Wang Hao, player Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun and Zhou Qihao celebrate after winning the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
Lin Shidong (below) of China celebrates winning the singles match against Togami Shunsuke of Japan after the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
Lin Shidong (top) of China celebrates winning the singles match against Togami Shunsuke of Japan after the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
Wang Chuqin of China celebrates after the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
Lin Shidong (front) of China celebrates winning the singles match against Togami Shunsuke of Japan after the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
Liang Jingkun of China celebrates scoring in the singles match against Harimoto Tomokazu of Japan during the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
Lin Shidong of China celebrates winning the singles match against Togami Shunsuke of Japan after the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
(L-R)China's men's team player Liang Jingkun, Lin Shidong, Wang Chuqin, coach Wang Hao and player Zhou Qihao react during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Wang Chuqin (L) of China hits a return to Matsushima Sora of Japan during the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
Wang Chuqin (R) of China celebrates scoring during the singles match against Matsushima Sora of Japan during the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Photo by Stephen Chung/Xinhua)
Lin Shidong of China serves to Togami Shunsuke of Japan during the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Wang Chuqin of China hits a return to Matsushima Sora of Japan during the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
Gold medalist team China holds up the trophy during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Gold medalist team China holds up the trophy during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
China's men's team coach Wang Hao (2nd L), player Wang Chuqin (1st L), Zhou Qihao (2nd R) and Xiang Peng react during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
(L-R)China's men's team player Xiang Peng, Wang Chuqin, coach Wang Hao, player Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun and Zhou Qihao celebrate after winning the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
(L-R)China's men's team player Liang Jingkun, Lin Shidong, Wang Chuqin, coach Wang Hao, player Zhou Qihao and Xiang Peng react during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Members of China pose with the trophies after the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
Gold medalist team China react during the awarding ceremony of the men's teams final match between China and Japan at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
