Liu's World Cup record serves as Olympic primer

Unprecedented fifth title bodes well for golden defense in Tokyo

Liu Shiwen hailed her record fifth ITTF Women's World Cup title as her best yet after outlasting Zhu Yuling in an enthralling all-Chinese final in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Liu, seeded second, rallied past top seed Zhu 4-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9 to add another World Cup to the first world championships singles gold she won in Budapest in April, auguring well for the defense of her Olympic title next year in Tokyo.