Wang Chuqin: the lefty who became world champion

Wang Chuqin is the leading name of the generation that followed Ma Long and Fan Zhendong on the Chinese team. Left-handed, tall and very aggressive, he already had world doubles titles and Olympic gold before winning, in 2025, the one title he was missing: world singles champion. Along the way he beat Brazil's Hugo Calderano in a memorable final in Doha.

This page sums up Wang Chuqin's career, his titles, his partnership with Sun Yingsha and his playing style.

Who is Wang Chuqin

Wang Chuqin was born on May 11, 2000, in Jilin, in northeast China. He is left-handed, plays with the shakehand grip and stands about 1.82 m (6 ft), tall for a table tennis player. He stood out as a junior: in 2018, at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, he won boys' singles gold and the mixed team event with Sun Yingsha.

He first reached world No. 1 in July 2023.

Wang Chuqin's titles

The partnership with Sun Yingsha

Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha are one of the most successful mixed doubles pairs in history. Together they won world titles in Houston 2021, Durban 2023 and Doha 2025, and took Olympic gold at Paris 2024, beating the North Korean pair in the final. It works because both attack early: he brings left-handed power, she brings speed and precision.

Paris 2024: two golds and a scare

In Paris, Wang won two golds, in mixed doubles and the team event. In singles, though, his run ended early. Right after the mixed doubles final, his paddle was broken by a photographer during the celebrations. He had to use his backup paddle and lost in the round of 32 to Sweden's Truls Möregårdh, who went on to take Olympic silver.

World champion in Doha 2025

The singles title came at the World Championships in Doha in May 2025. In the final, Wang beat Brazil's Hugo Calderano 4-1 in a high-quality match. According to the ITTF, he became the first left-handed men's singles world champion in more than three decades. For the Brazilian side of that final, see Hugo Calderano.

In April 2026 he also won the World Cup in Macao, beating Japan's Sora Matsushima 4-3 in a dramatic final.

Playing style

Wang Chuqin is a two-winged left-handed attacker. His main strengths:

• A very powerful backhand that can open and finish points, including counter-loops.
• A heavy forehand loop that uses his height and reach.
• Varied lefty serves that create awkward angles for right-handers.
• Aggression from the return, attacking short balls with his backhand.

Being a lefty is an extra edge: most opponents practice far more against right-handers. How to deal with that is covered in how to play against a lefty.

Frequently asked questions