Macao: The ITTF Men’s and Women’s World Cup Macao 2026, presented by Galaxy Entertainment Group, concluded on a high note on Sunday at the Galaxy Arena, crowning new champions in a thrilling finale that lived up to the expectations of the International Table Tennis Federation’s centenary year.
China’s world number one Sun Yingsha etched her name into the history books by becoming the first woman to win three consecutive ITTF Women’s World Cup titles. She defeated compatriot Wang Manyu 4-1 (11-9, 11-8, 13-11, 8-11, 11-7) in an intense and absorbing final.
The match showcased the highest level of women’s table tennis, with Wang pushing Sun hard in every game. However, Sun’s experience, composure and superior class ultimately proved decisive. Her path to the third successive title was challenging, notably a gruelling seven-game quarter-final against Egypt’s Hana Goda — the longest match of the tournament — where she had to save two match points in the deciding game before advancing.
Wang Manyu claimed the silver medal, while Korea Republic’s Shin Yubin and Germany’s Sabine Winter shared the bronze. Shin made history as the first woman from Korea Republic to win a medal at the ITTF Women’s World Cup, and Winter became the first European woman to reach the podium since Petrissa Solja in 2015. Hana Goda, the first African woman to advance to the quarter-finals, inspired a new generation across the continent with her impressive run.
In the men’s event, world number one Wang Chuqin finally secured the title he had long pursued. He overcame Japan’s Sora Matsushima 4-3 (9-11, 18-16, 11-8, 11-13, 8-11, 11-4, 11-8) in a high-quality final that lasted one hour and 13 minutes.
The encounter was full of twists, with Matsushima taking the first game and levelling the score at 2-2. Wang found his rhythm at the crucial moments to close out the decider. En route to the crown, Wang mounted a comeback from 1-3 down against Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic in the quarter-finals and defeated reigning champion Hugo Calderano of Brazil 4-1 in the semi-finals.
With this victory in his fourth appearance at the event, Wang stands just one major title away from a career Grand Slam, with the Olympic men’s singles gold at Los Angeles 2028 remaining the missing piece.
Sora Matsushima earned silver, becoming only the second Japanese player to reach the men’s final after Tomokazu Harimoto in 2019. Hugo Calderano and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju shared the bronze medals. Calderano’s podium finish once again highlighted his status as one of the sport’s most admired figures.
The tournament will be remembered as one of the most memorable editions, delivering historic milestones at every stage. From Hana Goda’s landmark African breakthrough and Shin Yubin’s pioneering medal to Sora Matsushima’s emergence and the crowning of two dominant champions, the Macao World Cup 2026 provided unforgettable moments in the ITTF’s centenary celebrations.
