The Chinese women’s table tennis team secured an unprecedented seventh consecutive world team championship title after a gripping five-set battle against Japan in the 2026 London World Team Table Tennis Championships final at Wembley Arena. The match, which lasted three and a half hours, ended with a 3-2 victory for China, marking the 24th time the team has lifted the Corbillon Cup.
This was the fifth consecutive time the women’s team final featured China against Japan, with China maintaining an unbeaten record in these matchups. Entering the final, the Chinese squad was determined to achieve a historic seventh straight title.
During the entrance ceremony, the Chinese team made a powerful appearance to the tune of “Chapter,” and many Chinese fans traveled to London to cheer for the players.
**First Match: Wang Manyu 2:3 Miwa Harimoto (China 0:1 Japan)**
Miwa Harimoto started strong, taking the first two games 11-4 and 11-9, putting Wang Manyu on the brink. In the third game, the players traded points before Wang leveled at 5-5, then won five consecutive points to take the game 11-6. Wang carried that momentum into the fourth game, winning 11-4 to force a decider. However, Harimoto regained her edge in the fifth, dominating with her aggressive play to win 11-4.
**Second Match: Sun Yingsha 3:0 Hina Hayata (China 1:1 Japan)**
Sun Yingsha, who had won all 18 previous meetings against Hayata, continued her dominance. She won the opening game 11-7, then used her composed play to force errors from Hayata in the second, also 11-7. In the third, Hayata fought back but Sun’s experience and tactical awareness proved decisive. With Ma Lin calling a timely timeout, Sun closed out the game 11-8, leveling the overall score.
**Third Match: Kuai Man 1:3 Honoka Hashimoto (China 1:2 Japan)**
This was a battle between attack and defense. Hashimoto’s defensive chops gave him an early edge, winning the first game 11-6. Kuai adjusted in the second, using varied shots to force Hashimoto’s mistakes and winning 11-5. But Hashimoto regained control in the third, winning 11-6. In the fourth, Kuai fought hard to 7-7 before faltering on crucial points, losing 8-11, putting China behind.
**Fourth Match: Sun Yingsha 3:0 Miwa Harimoto (China 2:2 Japan)**
Under pressure, Sun Yingsha returned to the table against Harimoto, whom she had beaten in 8 of their 9 previous meetings. Sun dominated from the start, winning the first two games 11-2 and 11-4. Harimoto offered some resistance in the third, but Sun’s superior skill sealed the game 11-6, leveling the tie again.
**Fifth Match: Wang Manyu 3:0 Hina Hayata (China 3:2 Japan)**
Wang Manyu bounced back from her earlier loss to face Hina Hayata in the decisive set. She took the first game 11-7 with calm and controlled play. In the second, her formidable defense on both wings combined with aggressive attacks earned her an 11-7 win. The third game was equally one-sided, with Wang fully unleashing her power to win 11-5, securing the overall victory for China.
With this 3-2 win, China’s women’s team achieved an unprecedented seventh consecutive world championship title. Congratulations to the Chinese women’s table tennis team!