Ma Long, Xu Xin aid CTT

The 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships in London will kick off on April 28. To better prepare the squad, Chinese table tennis legends Ma Long and Xu Xin recently arrived at the national training base in Chengdu, providing all-around support to the younger players as Team China targets a historic 12th consecutive men’s team title.

In 1926, the inaugural World Championships were held in London. A century later, the event returns to the same city. However, this centennial edition presents one of the toughest challenges for the Chinese men’s team in recent years. Among the five selected players, only Wang Chuqin is an Olympic champion. Lin Shidong, Zhou Qihao, Xiang Peng, and Liang Jingkun all lack Olympic experience. In terms of World Team Championships experience, only Wang has reached the final stage. Although Liang was selected for the 2022 and 2024 squads, he did not feature in key matches, while the other three are complete newcomers at this level.

With a relatively unproven lineup, China also faces fierce competition from abroad. A surging Japan, a deep and balanced Germany, a France led by the Lebrun brothers, as well as traditional powerhouses Sweden and South Korea, all pose serious threats. It can be said that China’s title defense campaign is already fraught with challenges before it even begins.

At this critical juncture, Ma Long and Xu Xin have stepped in at the Chengdu base. While they will not compete, they have picked up their paddles to assist the team during this final preparation phase. Earlier this month, Xu Xin revealed during a livestream that he might pause his streaming activities to rejoin the national setup. It was later confirmed by Yan An and Xu Chenhao that both Ma Long and Xu Xin had officially joined the closed training camp. Their role is to share technical insights and match experience—an invaluable asset for the young squad heading to London.

As vice chairman of the Chinese Table Tennis Association and a double Grand Slam winner, Ma Long brings unparalleled experience, tactical understanding, and composure in high-pressure moments. Having faced all of China’s main international rivals, he is well-positioned to mentor the younger players firsthand. Xu Xin, widely known as the “Golden Left Hand,” adds further depth with his distinctive penhold style and exceptional touch, enriching the team’s preparation.

Beyond technical guidance, Ma Long and Xu Xin also provide psychological support and inspiration—embodying the tradition of mentorship within Chinese table tennis. It is hoped that during this final phase of preparation, the team will continue to refine its form and that the new generation will showcase its strength on the stage of the London World Championships.