The disgraceful night of the team silver. What China men’s team head coach Wang Hao said about the current state of “generational change” [Asian Games]

“Not only the pressure of winning and losing matches, but we also hear voices from outside questioning us,” said head coach Wang Hao

Japan’s men’s team finally achieved a “defeat China” breakthrough and was crowned team gold medalists at the Asian Games for the first time in 60 years.

On that memorable night, the defeated China men’s team, led by head coach Wang Hao, along with ace WANG Chuqin, second-string player LIN Shidong, and 19-year-old WEN Ruibo, who was making his first appearance at the Asian Games, were trying to come to terms with an unacceptable defeat.

Since the 1994 Hiroshima Games, they had defended the team gold medal for eight straight editions, over a span of 32 years. For reigning champions China, which boasts overwhelming team strength, what does relinquishing that throne mean?

At the press conference immediately after the Final, head coach Wang Hao and WANG Chuqin praised Japan’s victory and began by saying, “First, we would like to offer our congratulations.” Even in the wording of their comments, the weight of this defeat could be felt.

Most striking of all was what head coach Wang Hao said about the generational change in China’s men’s team.

After winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic men’s team event with the formidable lineup of Fan Zhendong, WANG Chuqin, and Ma Long as a twin-ace combination plus Ma Long, China saw Ma Long retire from active competition, while Fan Zhendong also stepped away from the national team.

Then, at the 2026 World Championships London in April and May this year, WANG Chuqin, LIANG Jingkun, and LIN Shidong narrowly held on to the gold medal.