As the ITTF Men’s World Cup 2025 approaches, we celebrate the remarkable achievements of two Chinese legends who stand alone at the pinnacle of the tournament’s 45-year history. Ma Lin and Fan Zhendong, both four-time champions, have defined different eras of this prestigious competition and set a standard of excellence that continues to inspire a new generation.
Ma Lin: The Original Dynasty Builder
When discussing World Cup greatness, the conversation must begin with Ma Lin. The right-handed attacking player revolutionised the tournament in the early 2000s, establishing a level of dominance that would take nearly two decades to match.
Ma’s World Cup journey began triumphantly in 2000 in Yangzhou, where he defeated Korea’s Kim Taek-Soo in a commanding final performance to claim his first title. This victory marked the beginning of an extraordinary relationship with the tournament that would define a significant portion of his career.
The Chinese star quickly built upon this success, securing consecutive titles in 2003 and 2004 in Jiangyin and Hangzhou respectively. Both finals saw him overcome Greece’s Kalinikos Kreanga, displaying Ma’s remarkable consistency at the highest level. His technical brilliance, particularly his devastating forehand loop and exceptional serve variations, made him nearly unbeatable on the World Cup stage during this period.
In 2006, Ma completed his collection with a fourth title in Paris, cementing his status as the tournament’s most decorated champion—a record that would stand unchallenged for fourteen years.
Fan Zhendong: The Modern Master
While Ma Lin established the benchmark, Fan Zhendong’s journey to World Cup greatness represents its own remarkable story. Born in 1997, Fan came of age in an era of unprecedented competition, yet his World Cup achievements match those of his legendary predecessor.
Fan’s relationship with the tournament began with heartbreak. In his ITTF World Cup 2015 debut in Halmstad, the then-teenager reached the final but fell to compatriot Ma Long. Rather than deterring him, this defeat seemingly fuelled Fan’s determination.
The following year in Saarbrücken, at just 19 years old, Fan claimed his first World Cup title, announcing himself as table tennis’ next great champion. What followed was unprecedented even by Chinese standards—three consecutive titles in Paris (2018), Chengdu (2019), and Weihai (2020), making him the only player in history to win the Men’s World Cup three years running.
His 2020 triumph proved particularly poetic, as Fan defeated Ma Long in a thrilling seven-game final (3-11, 11-8, 11-3, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9), avenging his 2015 loss and equalling Ma Lin’s historic four-title record.
Fan’s World Cup performances have been nothing short of extraordinary—before the event’s return last year, he had suffered only one defeat in his tournament history and appeared in the final of every edition he had contested. Though the 2024 tournament saw him reach the quarterfinals after defeating Lin Shidong before falling to Lin Gaoyuan, his overall World Cup record remains among the most impressive in the event’s history.
While separated by nearly two decades, Ma Lin and Fan Zhendong share striking similarities in their World Cup dominance. Both displayed exceptional mental fortitude, technical precision, and the ability to perform at their peak on the sport’s most demanding stage.
Their playing styles, however, reflect the evolution of modern table tennis. Ma Lin’s game was characterised by his innovative serves and explosive forehand, while Fan Zhendong represents the complete modern player—combining phenomenal footwork, consistent all-round technique, and remarkable adaptability. Together, they have won eight of the tournament’s 42 men’s editions—nearly 20% of all ITTF World Cups ever contested.
As the ITTF Men’s World Cup 2025 approaches, the question naturally arises: could a new challenger emerge to join this exclusive club? Ma Long’s victory in 2024 demonstrated that age is no barrier to World Cup success, and the tournament continues to showcase extraordinary talent across generations. Whatever the future holds, the remarkable achievements of Ma Lin and Fan Zhendong have already secured their places in table tennis immortality, setting a standard of excellence that may stand for generations.
The ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup 2025 takes place from 14-20 April at the Galaxy Arena in Macao, China.
