"Korea's Jang Woo-jin wins the title, while China is wiped out in the semifinals" — Chinese media also shocked... Praise for Jang: "His ability to win at decisive moments shone through"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

As Korea's top men's table tennis player, Jang Woo-jin (Saea), claimed a historic championship, the "table tennis powerhouse" of China was thrown into shock. This is because not a single one of its players advanced to the semifinals.

On the 2nd (Korean time), at the men's singles final of the 2026 World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Montpellier held in Montpellier, France, Jang defeated world No. 18 Patrick Franziska (Germany) with a game score of 4-3 (3-11, 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8) to claim the title.

He set a major record as the first WTT Champions singles champion in Korean table tennis history.

The WTT Champions event awards 1,000 world ranking points to the winner. It is the third-highest tier, following the Grand Smash (2,000 points) and the Finals (1,500 points).

World No. 10 Jang Woo-jin consecutively defeated strong opponents at this tournament. He beat world No. 23 Flavien Coton (France) in the round of 32, No. 6 Lin Yun-ju (Taiwan) in the round of 16, No. 39 Liang Jing-kun (China) in the quarterfinals, and No. 7 Hugo Calderano (Brazil) in the semifinals, in that order.

In the final match, he secured a dramatic comeback victory against Franziska. Jang was on the verge of defeat, trailing 1-3 in game score, but then won three consecutive games to turn the tide.

In particular, the final seventh game featured an intense battle up to 8-8. However, Jang remained unshaken and built his lead with bold attacks, ultimately securing the championship.

It was a valuable result that also dispelled the regret of finishing as runner-up at the Doha Champions in January.

On the other hand, the Chinese men's table tennis team, which had reigned as the world's strongest, left this tournament with regrets.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency focused on Jang Woo-jin's victory and the poor performance of its national men's team.

The outlet introduced, "Korea's Jang Woo-jin has for the first time reached the top of the WTT Champions men's singles. It is the first WTT Champions singles title in Korean table tennis history."

It continued, "Unfortunately, of the five Chinese male players who participated in this tournament, three advanced to the quarterfinals but all were eliminated. Not a single one made it to the semifinals," pointing out that this "stands in stark contrast to the women's team sweeping all four semifinal spots."

It then raised the question, "What on earth has happened to Chinese men's table tennis?"

In fact, China was completely eliminated in the men's singles quarterfinals at this tournament. Liang Jing-kun lost to Jang Woo-jin with a game score of 1-4. Lin Shu-dong could not get past Sweden's Truls Moregard, and Zhou Chi-hao also failed to overcome Franziska.

In particular, Chinese players left regrets at decisive moments. Lin Shu-dong led 4-1 in the final seventh game but failed to hold onto the lead. Zhou Chi-hao also held match point at 10-9 in the last game but then conceded three consecutive points and was eliminated.

Xinhua News Agency analyzed, "It is not that the overall skill of Chinese players was inferior to their opponents," while noting, "The problem lies in their inability to convert a leading situation into a final victory."

On the other hand, it did not hold back its praise for Jang Woo-jin. The outlet highly evaluated him, stating, "Jang Woo-jin fully demonstrated his ability to win at decisive moments throughout his path to victory."

It particularly focused on his match against Lin Yun-ju in the round of 16. The outlet praised, "Jang was trailing 7-10 in the final game but scored five consecutive points to come from behind and win 12-10."

It also looked back, noting, "In the semifinals as well, he saved match point against Calderano before closing out the final game 14-12."

It also took note of the comeback victory shown in the final. Xinhua News Agency pointed out, "Although trailing 1-3 in game score, when the score tied at 9-9 in the fifth game, he boldly attempted attacks and secured important points."

It continued, emphasizing, "Even at an 8-8 tie in the final game, he decided the match through aggressive forehand attacks and changes in shot trajectory."

In contrast, all Chinese players bowed their heads after being eliminated in the quarterfinals. Xinhua News Agency warned, "The Montpellier tournament has sounded an alarm for Chinese men's table tennis."

It continued, stating, "The problems revealed at this tournament are clear," explaining that these include "the ability to score at important moments, the ability to decide matches, and a lack of player depth to support the team when key players are absent."

It added, "Difficulties clearly exist as the Chinese men's national team goes through a generational transition."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original