Familiar faces and future stars make up Team China roster

Team China has opted for a blend of experience and youth at next month's ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Durban, South Africa.

The roster was announced at a news conference in Beijing on Monday, with world No 1 Fan Zhendong, legendary veteran Ma Long, Wang Chuqin, Liang Jingkun and Lin Gaoyuan representing China in the men's singles. In the women's singles, China has selected world No 1 Sun Yingsha, reigning Olympic champion Chen Meng and young aces Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi and Chen Xingtong.

Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin, along with Lin Gaoyuan and Lin Shidong, will participate in the men's doubles. The two women's doubles pairs are Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu, and Chen Meng and Wang Yidi.

World No 1 pair Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, along with youngsters Lin Shidong and Kuai Man, will compete in the mixed doubles.

"For Team China, our target has always been the same, which is to win gold medals. We are familiar with our rivals in the world, and we are clear about their current condition. I believe we hold the advantage, and we will have some targeted training in the coming weeks," Team China head coach Li Sun told reporters.

"Next we will participate in the WTT Champions Xinxiang and WTT Champions Macao 2023, after which we will have a closed-door training camp in Chengdu, Sichuan province, before we head to Durban. That's because Chengdu has a similar climate to Durban."

On the men's side, world No 1 Fan is currently in superb form. The 26-year-old won singles and men's doubles gold medals at the Singapore Smash in March, and is confident of topping the podium again in Durban.

"I'm happy that I have this chance to represent our nation again at the world championships. I will try my best in the men's singles and men's doubles. I will give it all that I have," said Fan on Monday.

"We have a healthy competitive environment inside the national team, which allows players to feel both responsibility and pressure. Any player who represents Team China at the table tennis world championships must be among the best players in the world. Together with my teammates, we will shoulder our responsibility."

For veteran Ma, the reigning Olympic men's singles champion, a priority is to enjoy the competition.

"I'm just happy and proud to once again play in the world championships. At this point in my career, I don't really set fixed goals anymore. I don't want to have any regrets in my career. I will just go to the worlds with the right attitude and hope to produce great results," said the 34-year-old.

Chinese men's head coach Wang Hao told media that he was "very confident" in the team despite all the challenges ahead.

"Our players' recent performances are all very good. Based on their current form against our foreign rivals, we selected the team after comprehensive assessment and discussion among the coaching team," said Wang Hao.

On the women's side, China's best singles medal hope remains 22-year-old Sun, who will also play in the women's and mixed doubles. Sun has also enjoyed a hot streak of late, claiming gold in the singles and both doubles competitions at the Singapore Smash.

"This will be my third world championships — I played my first worlds when I was 19. I have developed a lot over the last few years. I hope to have good cooperation with my teammates and to achieve great results against our foreign rivals," said Sun.

"This time I will participate in three disciplines, which physically will be a test," she added.

"I am attaching great importance to this competition, and I will need to tailor my training to keep leveling up my fitness. I will try my best in each event, and over the next few weeks I will prepare as best I can."

Apart from core players in their prime, several youngsters have earned a chance to shine on the world stage.

The 22-year-old Wang Chuqin is one of the fastest rising players in the men's squad. As well as the singles, he will team up with Fan in the men's doubles, and with Sun in the mixed event. At last month's Singapore Smash, Wang Chuqin topped the podium in both doubles competitions.

"I'm actually excited to play in three disciplines at the worlds. I also played at the last worlds in Houston, and I hope I can improve at this year's worlds," said Wang Chuqin.

Fans are also looking forward to seeing how the mixed doubles pair of 19-year-old Kuai Man and 17-year-old Lin Shidong fare in their world championships debuts.

"Looking ahead to the Olympics in Paris or even in Los Angeles in 2028, Kuai Man and Lin Shidong have age on their side, and both are skillful performers," said Chinese mixed doubles head coach Xiao Zhan.

"It is our responsibility to nurture the future of Chinese table tennis. This will be the first time for them playing in the worlds. They have limited experience, but they have that desire to win. I believe they will do themselves proud."