The Chinese Table Tennis Association announced that three of the sport’s most iconic figures—Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng—have been withdrawn from the ITTF World Rankings.
Ma Long, widely celebrated as one of the greatest table tennis players in history, has achieved unparalleled success in his illustrious career. A two-time singles Olympic Champion (2016, 2020), three-time singles World Champion (2015, 2017, 2019), and a three-time singles World Cup winner (2012, 2015, 2024), he is among the few Grand Slam champions of the sport. Known as “The Dragon,” Ma Long’s dominance extended to team events, securing numerous World Team Championship and Olympic Team gold medals for China. His supremacy in the sport is further highlighted by his record-breaking reign as world number one, maintaining the top position in the world rankings longer than any other player in history.His relentless drive, impeccable technique, and sportsmanship have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring players and fans across generations.
Chen Meng has been a dominant figure in women’s table tennis, cementing her legacy with remarkable achievements on the sport’s grandest stages. As the singles Olympic Champion at both Paris 2024 and Tokyo 2020, as well as the women’s singles World Cup winner in 2020, Chen has consistently showcased her brilliance. Her contributions have been instrumental in China’s success, securing multiple World Team Championship and Olympic Team gold medals. While the singles World Championship title eluded her, with two silver medals (2019, 2023) and a bronze (2021), Chen Meng’s extraordinary career has been inspiring players worldwide.
Fan Zhendong, one of table tennis’ brightest stars, has cemented his legacy as a generational talent. The Paris 2024 singles Olympic Champion, a two-time singles World Champion (2021, 2023), and a four-time singles World Cup winner (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020), he has dominated the sport with unmatched consistency. Renowned for his explosive power, Fan has also been a cornerstone of China’s success in team events, securing multiple World Team Championship and Olympic Team gold medals. As a long-time world number one, his resilience and adaptability have earned him a place among the greatest of the sport
