Last Updated on November 16, 2024 by Sorin Petroj

How the Chinese people approach the game makes the top clubs at the Chinese Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) so good. How has the game progressed over the years and made its way to people’s hearts and minds? 

Before diving into the clubs, a small trip down the memory lane shall answer that question. When the People’s Republic of China emerged on the global map in 1949, sport was seen as a prominent and influential means to make a name for the nation. 

While traditional Chinese sports and martial arts gained popularity with the new blood, table tennis occupied a crucial slot.

History

With government backing and public interest, table tennis quickly became a favored activity among the youth and others alike. 

Whether national competitions or local games, table tennis or “ping-pong” became a tool of pride and unity. In 1971, it entered China’s foreign policy with the famous Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

Regulation

The sport’s early growing popularity demanded proper structuring to turn the country’s raw talent into national and international athletes. 

Moreover, the support that came from the top saw the establishment of the China Table Tennis Association (CTTA). This became a practical step to mobilize local talent and pave the way for Chinese table tennis athletes on the global stage. 

Source Credit: China.org.cn

Members of the Chinese delegation cheer during the men’s team gold medal match of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 9, 2024. [Photo by Wang Dongzhen/Xinhua]

CTTA now represents the country internationally, with seats in the International Table Tennis Federation and Asian Table Tennis Union, while representing table tennis at the All-China Sports Federation.

The Chinese Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL)

After mobilizing the talent, CTTA needed to ensure that the players had a competitive and modern platform to showcase their performance. 

The Chinese Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) proved to be the answer to their question, becoming the premier table tennis tournament on a national level. 

Since its foundation in 1996, CTTSL has been crucial in shaping China’s national table tennis scene. 

By bringing in talent from the top table tennis clubs and offering exciting contests between players from all over the country, CTTSL has shaped how Chinese athletes can genuinely level up in the twenty-first century. 

Schedule

The CTTSL starts at the end of the calendar year and is usually completed before the new year begins. 

However, the usual schedule kicks off in the first two weeks of December, with intense action continuing throughout the middle of the month and concluding by the end of the month.

Source Credit: China.org.cn

Gold medalists of Team China celebrate during the award ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. [Photo by Liu Xu/Xinhua]

According to ITTF, The 2020 season, for instance, started on 21 December and concluded by 29 December. 

The games continue throughout the week, but they are short and intense. This creates an environment of competitiveness among the Chinese and international athletes.

Format

The tournament includes six teams, including male and female athletes. This allows for mixed teams and strengthens gender equality. 

CTTSL has separate divisions for men and women, each comprising nine teams. The two stages across both divisions are:

Stage 1: Round Robin Stage

The first stage starts in an open pool, where the teams compete round-robin to accumulate points for their rankings. This also means that each team plays all others at least once in the tournament.

Stage 2: Knockout Stage

Next, the top four teams from the Round Robin stage make it to the knockout stage. Here, the stakes are higher, and the league champion will be determined.

Source Credit: China.org.cn

Wang Chuqin, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong (from L to R) of China pose for photos after the award ceremony of the men’s table tennis team event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 9, 2024. [Photo by Liu Xu/Xinhua]

This format includes semi-finals and a final. First, the four qualifying teams face off to find the two finalists. The winners then face off in the final, and the winner lifts the trophy.

Stage 3: Doubles Format

Recently, a doubles format was introduced to the tournament, which requires each team to nominate two players for each round. This adds an extra layer of excitement while focusing on coordination and team spirit.  

Selection

Teams are picked based on a draft, where each team requires one foreign and five Chinese players. The order of selection is decided by lottery, and then each team gets a chance to pick their desired players. 

Top Clubs

Professionalism, technique, and athleticism are undoubtedly the backbone of CTTSL, and the credit goes to the top clubs that maintain these high standards. 

Source Credit: https://today.line.me/hk/v2/article/gznBa3a

Fan Zhendong of China serves during the men’s singles quarterfinal against Alexis Lebrun of France at the WTT Champions Macao 2023 in Macao, south China, April 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka)

Several clubs have risen to prominence and contributed to the popularity and appeal of the tournament.

• Shandong Weiqiao Pioneers

With four CTTSL titles under their belts, the Shandong Weiqiao pioneers are among the most successful teams in the tournament. The club has frequently made it to the top, and occupied the news 

Its focus on consistent, intensive training and technical skill development has made it home to notable athletes like Xu Xin, Fang Bo, and Zhou Yu. 

• Bayi Gongshang

Rising to prominence by adding a touch of military-style training, Bayi Gongshang has three titles in the trophy cabinet. 

Focusing on younger talent and emphasizing mental and physical resilience, the club has produced Olympic champions like Deng Yaping and Zhang Yining.

• Shenzen Jingwen

Shenzen Jingwen is known for its aggressive and attacking approach to the sport. 

The club also stands apart with a stronghold of diversity, having Chinese, Japanese, and Korean players on the roster. Shenzhen Jingwen is a prominent name with two CTTSL titles. 

• Tianjin Quanjian

Hailing from Tianjin in northern China, Tianjin Quanjian boasts one CTTSL title and stands apart as a formidable force in the table tennis world. Olympic legend Ma Long is the club’s main star.

• Shanghai SIPG

In the Shanghai region, the club emphasizes individual performance and team coordination. With one CTTSL title, the club is known for its mixture of young blood and seasoned veterans at the competing table.

• Ningbo Haitian TTC

Known for its endurance, agility, and strategy-focused mindset to the game, Ningbo Haitian is a force to reckon with. With multiple titles and dominant performances in the CTTSL, this club is known to give its competitors a hard time. 

• Lexuan Sports Group TTC

Rising to prominence in the 2010s, Lexuan Sports Group is the new kid on the block. He is rather talented and ambitious and is known to be up-to-date with the latest training methods of international standards. 

Lexuan Sports Group has been a fierce contender in recent CTTSL appearances. It has produced notable athletes like Truls Möregardh and Zhou Yu. The cameras stay focused at the new kid, as it constantly makes it to Table Tennis Media.

The Final Word

At a glance, the game of table tennis runs in the veins of the Chinese people. Not only do they love to play it, but they also watch, admire, and fill the stadiums. 

The media brings the cameras and people’s attention to the game, the clubs bring in the talent, and the players add the crucial elements of dedication and sheer tenacity, as the atmosphere overflows with sportsmanship and competitiveness. As Longhua Government Online notes,  top clubs bring the finest talent, who then perform to their fullest to entertain the crowd, especially the 2023 season. 

Chinese people have undoubtedly produced outstanding athletes, who continue to push limits and redefine excellence at the table.