Olympic Mixed Doubles Champions Return with Victory
Wang Chuqing and Sun Yingsha, China’s Olympic mixed doubles champions, marked their first partnership since Paris Olympics with a dominant 3-0 victory against Hong Kong, China in the World Team Cup.
The eagerly anticipated return of China’s “Sha-Tou” mixed doubles pair lived up to expectations as Olympic champions Wang Chuqing and Sun Yingsha displayed their trademark chemistry in their first competitive match since claiming gold in Paris. The duo dispatched Hong Kong, China’s Yao Jintao and Ng Wing Lam in straight sets (11-4, 11-6, 11-4) during their World Team Cup encounter.
Their seamless coordination demonstrated why they have become one of table tennis’s most successful partnerships. Despite months apart focusing on singles competition, their natural understanding remained evident through precise shot placement and fluid movement patterns that have become their hallmark.
The partnership between Wang and Sun has flourished since their first pairing at the 2017 Asian Youth Championships. Their record speaks volumes - they have captured 10 titles together while maintaining an impressive 91% win rate across 89 matches. During their peak season, they achieved an even more remarkable 97% victory rate.
Beyond the statistics, what makes their partnership special is their complementary playing styles and mutual trust built over years of competition. As Sun noted after the match, their connection has grown stronger with time, allowing them to anticipate each other’s movements instinctively.
The crowd’s enthusiastic response to their reunion highlighted the pair’s popularity. Every point won drew passionate cheers, especially when they executed their signature coordinated attacks. The atmosphere in the arena reflected both the anticipation surrounding their return and satisfaction in seeing them maintain their high standards.
While this match marked a successful return for the Olympic champions, both players remain focused on continuing to represent China across both singles and mixed doubles events. Their performance suggests they remain a formidable partnership ready to add more achievements to their already impressive legacy.
However, some observers questioned the strategic timing of deploying the elite pair against lower-ranked opposition rather than saving them for potentially tougher matches. Regardless, their showing demonstrated why they have become one of table tennis’s most celebrated combinations.