Liu Guoliang has resigned as president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA).
Olympic champion Wang Liqin was elected as the new head of the organisation on Wednesday.
Liu, a celebrated figure in the sport who achieved a singles Grand Slam (Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup) as a player, had held the top post since 2018 and was re-elected just two years ago in 2023.
His tenure saw continued Chinese dominance, including securing nine out of ten possible table tennis gold medals across the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
Before becoming president, Liu served as the highly successful chief coach of the national team from 2013, famously leading them to a clean sweep of four gold medals at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
His resignation comes just two days after the CTTA announced the squad for the upcoming ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, scheduled for May 17-25 in Doha, Qatar.
Taking the helm is Wang Liqin, 46, himself a decorated former player. A two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time World Championships singles winner, Wang retired from the national team in 2013. He is no stranger to the CTTA’s administration, having served as a vice-president under Liu Guoliang since 2018.
The newly announced squad for the Doha World Championships features a mix of established stars and rising talent. Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, Sun Yingsha, and Wang Manyu will lead the charge.
The men’s team also includes Liang Jingkun, Lin Gaoyuan, and Xue Fei. On the women’s side, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi, Chen Xingtong, and Shi Xunyao will compete in singles.
Doubles pairs include Chen Xingtong/Qian Tianyi and Wang Manyu/Kuai Man for the women’s event. The formidable mixed doubles pairing of Olympic champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha returns, alongside Asian Championship winners Lin Shidong and Kuai Man.
Notably absent are Olympic champions Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, and Chen Meng. The CTTA explained that these players have automatic qualification for the World Championships and will not participate in these finals.
Their spots were filled via a trial held on Monday, based on performances in major recent events like the World Cup, WTT Singapore Smash, and Asian Cup. Lin Gaoyuan, Xue Fei, and Shi Xunyao secured their places through this trial.
Wang Hao, head coach of the Chinese men’s team, indicated that selection, particularly in doubles, is already looking ahead.
With men’s and women’s doubles confirmed for the LA 2028 Olympic programme, selections considered not just current technical ability but also long-term strategic preparation for the next Olympic cycle.
Wang Liqin steps into the presidency at a crucial time, tasked with maintaining China’s unparalleled success while navigating the preparations for the upcoming World Championships and the longer road to Los Angeles 2028.
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