Ma Long’s World Cup triumphs span three distinct chapters of an illustrious career. His first came at ITTF World Cup 2012 in Liverpool, where the 23-year-old defeated Germany’s Timo Boll in commanding fashion (4-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-8, 11-5). Despite suffering a shock group stage defeat to Chuang Chih-Yuan, Ma rebounded to dominate the knockout stages, announcing himself as China’s next great champion.
Three years later at ITTF World Cup 2015 in Halmstad, the reigning World Champion delivered a flawless performance. Now at his peak, Ma swept through the tournament without dropping a match, culminating in a straight games victory over compatriot Fan Zhendong (11-7, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8). “This is my best year in terms of achievement,” Ma reflected afterward, having added the World Cup to his World Championship title.
Perhaps his most remarkable triumph came at ITTF World Cup 2024 in Macao. At 35, when many questioned his relevance, Ma staged an extraordinary comeback against Lin Gaoyuan in the final. After falling behind 0-3, he won four consecutive games for a sensational 4-3 victory (9-11, 9-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4, 11-8), cementing his legacy with a performance that epitomized his career-long resilience.
What makes Ma Long’s three titles especially impressive is how they reflect his technical and tactical evolution across 16 years of World Cup competition. From the explosive attacker of 2012 to the complete player of 2015 to the tactically masterful veteran of 2024, Ma has continuously refined his game to remain at the sport’s pinnacle.
His mental fortitude—particularly evident in his 2024 comeback—sets him apart even among champions. Though Ma Long won’t be in action this year to defend his title, having withdrawn from the ITTF World Rankings at the end of 2024, his impact on the tournament’s history is indelible. As a new champion prepares to emerge, they do so in the shadow of one of the sport’s greatest legends.
The ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2025 takes place from 14-20 April at the Galaxy Arena in Macao, China.
