YOKOHAMA (Japan), May 5 China completed a clean sweep of all five titles at the World Table Tennis Championships on Tuesday, with world number ones Wang Hao and Zhang Yining claiming the men's and women's singles events.

The Chinese team dominated the event — held every two years — for the third straight time, with all-Chinese finals in each discipline. China also notched a clean sweep at the Beijing Olympics.

Wang Hao, who won the men's doubles title with Chen Qi on Monday, made it a double victory with a 11-9, 13-11, 11-5, 11-9 win over three-time world champion Wang Liqin in the singles final.

Zhang, the Beijing Olympic gold medallist and the favourite here, stormed back from two games down for a 10-12, 3-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9 victory over world No 2 Guo Yue.Guo and Li Xiaoxia took the women's doubles title, while Li Ping and Cao Zhen clinched the mixed doubles title.

Wang Hao, who won silver in Beijing, said his mental toughness had made the difference here in Yokohama.

“I was very disappointed in the past championships and the two Olympic Games. But this time I prepared very well, since the Beijing Games. This is the result of that,” said the 25-year-old champion.

“Of course, it's important to practice, but I learned that it's also important to prepare well mentally. I'm in pretty good form since 2007 and I won the World Cup as well. I'm very confident right now.

“I'm very happy to become the singles world champion. My next goal, or dream, is to win the gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012,” added Wang Hao, who improved his record against rival Wang Liqin to 10-11.

Wang Liqin said “I hadn't expected that I would finish runner-up, so I'm quite happy with the result.”

On the women's side, Zhang — who lost to Guo in the 2007 championships — stretched her head-to-head record against Guo to 10 wins and four defeats.

Results (prefix number denotes seeding)

Men's singles final

1-Wang Hao (China) bt 5-Wang Liqin (China) 11-9, 13-11, 11-5, 11-9.

Women's singles final

1-Zhang Yining (China) bt 2-Guo Yue (China) 10-12, 3-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Pressure politics
Updated 28 May, 2026

Pressure politics

The attempt to connect the Iran conflict with the Abraham Accords makes little sense.
Eid’s true spirit
Updated 27 May, 2026

Eid’s true spirit

Pakistan celebrates Eid while grappling with economic strain that continues to weigh heavily on ordinary households.
Cotton crisis
Updated 29 May, 2026

Cotton crisis

We need a coherent long-term cotton strategy or else, Pakistan might lose a key pillar of its export economy.
Balochistan tragedy
Updated 26 May, 2026

Balochistan tragedy

The state keeps reiterating the role of hostile foreign actors in fomenting unrest, yet seems to be short on ideas on how to prevent the ingress of such actors and their ideologies in Baloch society.
Economic engagement
26 May, 2026

Economic engagement

AN array of investment MoUs valued at $7bn signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s China visit signifies...
Flotilla abuse
26 May, 2026

Flotilla abuse

THE testimonies that have emerged from international activists, who were part of a Gaza-bound flotilla, paint a...