The 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup officially kicks off at Shenzhen Universiade Center Gymnasium in Longgang District yesterday.
The 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup (hereafter referred to as “Asian Cup”) officially opened yesterday at the Shenzhen Universiade Center Gymnasium in Longgang District, bringing together 64 of Asia’s top players and thousands of fans.
Chinese stars Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, and Wang Manyu are among those competing for titles through Sunday. This year's tournament features men's and women's singles events, each with 32 players, and China has sent six players for each caategory, according to the organizers.
Kao Cheng-Jui (L) from China's Taiwan faces off against Kazakhstan’s Kirill Gerassimenko in an intense match at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup yesterday morning.
The 34th Asian Cup is authorized by the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) and Asia Table Tennis. It is co-hosted by the Chinese Table Tennis Association and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government, with support from the Guangdong Provincial Sports Bureau.
The event is organized by the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism, and Sports and the Longgang District People's Government.
During the opening ceremony, a special dance performance by a fleet of humanoid robots ignited the gymnasium with their agile moves and beautiful coordination with human performers, which showcased an wonderful integration of sports and AI.
A dazzling performance featuring humanoid robots and human dancers captivates the audience at the opening ceremony.
After the opening ceremony, Sun Yingsha, the world’s No.1 female player and a mixed doubles gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, made her Asian Cup debut against Chien Tung-chuan from China's Taiwan in the women's singles Group 1 match. Sun got off to a good start by defeating Chien with a 3-0 victory, winning 11-2, 11-8, and 11-6.
Sun, who also plays for the Shenzhen University Table Tennis Club in the China Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL), said Shenzhen feels like home and everything here is familiar.
Chinese table tennis star Sun Yingsha enters the press zone for an interview following her debut match.
Fans packed the Shenzhen Universiade Center Gymnasium and the adjacent Asian Cup Park on opening day. Among them was Franz Eppensteiner, an Austrian musician based in Shanghai, who wore a hoodie with the slogan “Super Sha” (a phrase supporting Sun Yingsha). At the gymnasium, the Austrian fan was constantly asked by fellow Chinese fans for photos and to exchange gifts and memorabilia.
Eppensteiner, a table tennis enthusiast, said that he is a big fan of Sun and Wang Chuqin, having watched them at the Paris Olympics. He even showed a photo he took of them at the Games. “They are amazing and I love how nice they are. Since 2024 I’ve been supporting them more intensively as I got to know them much better, and it was amazing that they won the gold medal [in the mixed doubles],” he said.
Eppensteiner added that he was amazed by the gymnasium and the atmosphere. “The stadium is beautiful. It’s so big and the lights are amazing. The atmosphere is just wonderful.”
Shanghai-based Austrian musician Franz Eppensteiner poses with a young fan at Shenzhen Universiade Center Gymnasium ahead of the event's opening yesterday morning.
The Asian Cup Park in the Shenzhen Universiade World Central Plaza offers fans a variety of activities, including live broadcasts, merchandise sales, displays of intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, a bazaar, and interactive games.
The venue is accessible via Metro Line 16’s Universiade Center Station. Fans arriving at Shenzhen North Railway Station, Shenzhen East Railway Station, Shenzhen Railway Station, or Pingshan Railway Station can reach the venue by transferring to Line 16. Those arriving by plane can also reach the venue by Metro. Local fans can reach the venue via Metro lines 16, 3, or 14.
Storage lockers are available in the central plaza and south square areas of the venue.
Fans can enjoy a variety of interactive activities at the Asian Cup Park in Shenzhen Universiade World Central Plaza.