It is seemingly impossible to beat the Chinese on their home soil. The upcoming 2022 ITTF Table Tennis Championship Finals will take place in Chengdu with the Chinese team facing off against the best in the world. However, it does not look like there is anyone who can beat the powerful roster considering that they are going for their 22nd world title.
The World Team Championships is an event we’ve been waiting for
After the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world in 2020, many international sports events were canceled. Among them, the 2020 ITTF World Team Championships promised some competitive games and interesting rivalries. The upcoming renewal of the event will be the first global tournament since the conclusion of the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
This time, Chengdu will show its hospitality to 32 Men’s and 28 Women’s teams that will be fighting for Swaythling and Corbilon Cups during the next week. China, whose dominance in this sport is still unquestionable, will host games and allow their athletes to defend their titles still held since 2019. Chinese Men’s teams lost a major tournament only once in 2000 to the Swedish squad that looked unstoppable that particular year. Out of 22 Women’s tourneys, the Chinese squad won 20. The latest defeat in the finals was to Singapore in 2010.
Who can oppose the Chinese?
Germans have the highest chance of taking down the favorites thanks to well-performing Ricardo Walther and Benedikt Duda. However, the top performers are out this year, including Dan Qiu who won the European singles, meaning that the team won’t be as dangerous as it could have been.
Sweden will be much stronger during the tournament in Chengdu. The Swedish national squad features strong players like Truls Moregardh who is ranked #6 globally. The Swedes may have the best chance of snatching the trophy since Japanese and South Korean teams are also weakened due to inexperience or traumas meaning that they won’t be a threat to both Chinese or Swedes.
The upcoming tournament promises a lot of surprises and upsets if contenders can show their peak form!
