Ma Long and Sun Yingsha Win ITTF World Cup Championships in Macau
The 2024 ITTF World Cup in Macau concluded on April 21 with Ma Long and Sun Yingsha emerging victorious in the men’s and women’s singles championships, respectively. Ma Long staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Lin Gaoyuan 4:3, claiming his third World Cup men’s singles title. Sun Yingsha also battled through seven intense games, overturning Wang Manyu to secure her first World Cup women’s singles championship.
Ma Long, the captain of the Chinese table tennis men’s team, had previously won the World Cup in 2012 and 2015. This victory marks his third title in the prestigious competition. Lin Gaoyuan, on the other hand, made his first appearance in the World Cup finals.
In a thrilling final match, Lin Gaoyuan initially took a commanding 3:0 lead. However, Ma Long refused to concede defeat and mounted a remarkable comeback. After three consecutive game wins, Ma Long leveled the playing field and eventually secured the victory with an 11:8 win in the decisive game.
Reflecting on his hard-fought win, Ma Long expressed gratitude to his supporters and praised the performance of his opponent, Lin Gaoyuan. He acknowledged the tough challenge he faced when trailing 0:3 but credited his perseverance for the eventual triumph.
In the women’s singles final, Sun Yingsha faced off against Wang Manyu in a high-stakes match. Despite Wang Manyu initially leading 3:1, Sun Yingsha dug deep and managed to equalize the score, ultimately forcing a decisive seventh game.
In the final game, Sun Yingsha took an early lead and maintained her composure despite Wang Manyu’s attempts to level the score. With a crucial 11:9 victory, Sun Yingsha claimed the title and celebrated by kissing the table in a show of sportsmanship.
Sun Yingsha expressed her appreciation for the intense competition and commended her opponent for a spirited performance. She emphasized the importance of the final match in her career and highlighted the significance of the hard-fought win.
The 2024 ITTF World Cup in Macau showcased the incredible skill and determination of Ma Long and Sun Yingsha, cementing their status as champions in the world of table tennis.