Chen Meng competes in the women's singles at the national trial for the 2023 World Table Tennis Championships in Beijing, March 30, 2023. /CFP
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Wednesday unveiled the list of players for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2023 which will be held in Durban, South Africa in May.
The world's elite paddlers, including Fan Zhendong, Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin, Wang Manyu, Tomokazu Harimoto, Chen Meng, Ma Long, Mima Ito, Hugo Calderano and Wang Yidi, will be among the participants for the World Championships in Durban.
"I'm very proud of playing in another World Championships. I have no specific goal this time but to cherish the opportunity and showcase myself on this stage without any regrets," commented 34-year-old Ma, two-time Olympic men's singles gold medalist.
Wang Chuqin (L) and Sun Yingsha compete in the mixed doubles at the national trial for the 2023 World Table Tennis Championships in Beijing, March 29, 2023. /CFP
Reigning champions Fan and Wang Manyu of China will be looking to defend their titles, but the duo are expected to face tough challenges from their compatriots like world No. 2 Wang Chuqin and world No. 1 Sun, and those from other member associations, including Japan's Harimoto and Truls Moregard of Sweden.
According to Li Sun, chief coach of the Chinese team, after competing in the WTT Champions Xinxiang and Macao, the Chinese team will train for around half a month in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province from April 24 before heading to Durban, South Africa on May 12.
"For the Chinese table tennis team, our goal remains the same: to try to win the gold in every event," said Li.
Ma Long (L) and Fan Zhendong compete in the men's singles at the national trial for the 2023 World Table Tennis Championships in Beijing, February 23, 2023. /CFP
China won four of five titles in the last edition of the World Championships in Houston, United States in 2021, with men's doubles being the only exception where the Swedish pair of Mattias Falck and Kristian Karlsson were crowned.
The table tennis flagship event will take place at the Durban International Convention Center from May 20 to 28, featuring 128 players each in the men's and women's singles, and 64 pairs in each of the doubles competitions.
This year's event marks a return of the championships to Africa after 84 years. The last time the event was held in the continent was in Cairo, Egypt in 1939.
(With input from Xinhua)