Teen paddler Lin rises to No 2 in world rankings

Chinese paddler Lin Shidong, 19, has climbed to a career-high second place in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) world rankings released on Tuesday.

Lin's rise follows his runner-up finish in the men's singles event at the Asian Championships, which concluded on Sunday. This achievement earned him 350 ranking points, allowing him to surpass compatriot Fan Zhendong, who has not competed in any international tournaments since winning gold at the Paris Olympics.

Additionally, Lin helped China secure the men's team title and won the mixed doubles crown alongside Kuai Man at the Asian Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. The young Chinese pair rose to third in the mixed doubles rankings.

Wang Chuqin continues to hold the top spot in the men's rankings, followed by fellow Chinese players Liang Jingkun and Ma Long, who sit in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

Other players in the top 10 include Hugo Calderano from Brazil, French teenager Felix Lebrun, Asian champion Tomokazu Harimoto from Japan, China's Lin Gaoyuan, and Sweden's Truls Moregard.

In the women's singles rankings, China's quartet of Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Chen Meng and Wang Yidi continue to dominate the top four positions.

Japan's Hina Hayata, China's Chen Xingtong, Japan's Miwa Harimoto and Mima Ito, Shin Yu-bin from the Republic of Korea, and Cheng I-ching from Chinese Taipei round out the top 10.

With 500 points from her victory at the Asian Championships, Kim Kum-yong from DPR Korea jumped an impressive 452 places to reach world No 57.

Meanwhile, women's world No 1 Sun has withdrawn from the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Montpellier and Frankfurt due to injuries, the WTT announced on Tuesday.

Sun's compatriot Qian Tianyi will replace her to compete in the two tournaments.

After participating in the women's team event, where China lost to Japan for silver, at the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Sun pulled out of her singles and doubles competitions, citing arm muscle issues.

Another injured absentee from the two WTT tournaments is Hina Hayata and her spot will be taken up by her teammate Satsuki Odo.

The WTT Champions Montpellier will be held in the southern French city from Oct 22 to 27, while the WTT Champions Frankfurt will take place in the German city between Nov 3 and 10.

Also on Tuesday, Sun withdrew from the team event at the ongoing National Championships, along with two other Olympic champions, Wang Chuqin and Wang Manyu.

Xinhua