Published: 17:11, November 16, 2025 | Updated: 17:15, November 16, 2025
Olympic champion Fan retains table tennis men's title at China's National Games
By Xinhua
Fan Zhendong competes during the men's singles final match of table tennis between Fan Zhendong of Shanghai and Lin Shidong of Hainan at China's 15th National Games in Macao, Nov 16, 2025. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

MACAO -- Shanghai's Fan Zhendong beat Lin Shidong of Hainan 4-1 to defend the table tennis men's singles title at China's 15th National Games here on Sunday.

Despite a slow start, trailing 9-4 in the first game, Fan pocketed seven points in a row to clinch an 11-9 win.

Lin, 20, won the second game 11-8, but 28-year-old Fan was unstoppable afterwards, taking the next three games 11-5, 11-3, 11-4 for the gold.

Gold medalist Fan Zhendong (center) of Shanghai, silver medalist Lin Shidong (left) of Hainan, and bronze medalist Wang Chuqin of Beijing pose for photos during the awarding ceremony for the men's singles of table tennis at China's 15th National Games in Macao, Nov 16, 2025. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Fan won both the men's singles and team gold medals, becoming the 11th player in history to achieve a career Grand Slam of Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cup.

Earlier in the day, world No 1 Wang Chuqin of Beijing cruised past Liaoning's Yuan Licen 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 11-5, 11-7 to secure bronze.