Sun Yingsha

Sun Yingsha defended the women's singles title at the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships through a final that demanded all seven games. Against Wang Manyu in Doha, she reached the decider with the match level at three games each and closed it 11–7. The victory gave Sun consecutive world singles championships and converted her world No. 1 status into the sport's principal individual title once again. She represents China and competes within a national system whose depth makes selection and internal rivalry part of the international standard. Her current role spans women's singles and mixed doubles, but this profile credits the singles championship directly and treats partnership work separately. The decisive contribution is visible in the scoreline: six games produced no separation, leaving the seventh to decide the title.

Defending a title placed Sun in a different competitive position from an emerging challenger. Every opponent could prepare against an established body of match footage, while every round carried the expectation attached to the top seed. She nevertheless reached the final and solved its longest possible format. The wider consequence is a maintained benchmark for women's table tennis. Sun did not win through ranking or reputation; she retained control when the direct comparison with Wang Manyu extended to the final game. That completed championship, rather than her standing before the event, defines the selection.