Doha: With the impending launch of the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025, the gaze of the global table tennis community is firmly fixed on the sport's foremost male and female contenders, those widely heralded as frontrunners for the coveted title in this landmark edition, which is set to host 640 outstanding athletes representing 127 nations, competing across five principal categories.
According to Qatar News Agency, this edition will serve as a pivotal stage for a top-rung group of male and female athletes who have demonstrated their prowess across international, global, and Olympic platforms. In the men's category, Asian players are poised as the most formidable contenders, spearheaded by Lin Shidong, the 20-year-old Chinese prodigy, hailed as a generational phenomenon for his sharp tactical intellect and unmatched ability to destabilize opponents.
Lin stands out as one of the foremost title contenders, having secured the Mixed Doubles bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in Durban, captured the Men's Singles crown at the 2024 WTT China Smash in Chengdu, and achieved a historic triple title at the 2025 Singapore Smash, where he triumphed in Men's Singles, Men's Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
Alongside him is his compatriot and Olympic gold medalist Wang Chuqin, currently ranked world No. 2, who captured the Men's Team gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, followed by two gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, in Mixed Doubles and the Men's Team event.
Brazilian participation will be spearheaded by Hugo Calderano, the world No. 3 and a rising phenomenon, who holds the historic distinction of being the first South American player to enter the top ten of the global rankings. Calderano has amassed nine titles in the singles category and two in doubles and clinched the Men's World Cup title in Macau 2025, a landmark victory that cemented his place among the sport's elite.
Representing Japan is Tomokazu Harimoto, currently ranked world No. 4, who brings to the championship his trademark explosive speed and powerful forehand drives. His competitive track record includes a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, a silver at the 2021 World Championships in Houston, a bronze at the 2022 edition in Chengdu, and a silver at the 2023 Championships in Durban.
The championship is anticipated to feature fierce matchups between China and Japan in the team category, with Japan, spearheaded by rising talents such as Tomokazu Harimoto and Miwa Harimoto, poised to mount a serious challenge to China's enduring supremacy.
In the women's singles bracket, Chinese players dominate the top seedings, led by Sun Yingsha, the world No. 1 and the overwhelming favorite to clinch the title. Sun boasts a stellar career highlighted by Olympic gold medals at Tokyo 2020 (team) and Paris 2024 (mixed doubles and team), seven World Championship titles, and five World Cup victories.
Alongside her stands compatriot Wang Manyu, ranked world No. 2, renowned for her aggressive style and deep international pedigree. A six-time World Champion, Wang also holds Olympic team golds from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and two World Cup titles.
The championship is expected to feature intense matchups between China and Japan, with the latter led by four top-ranked players, namely Miwa Harimoto (world No. 6), Hina Hayata (No. 7), Satsuki Odo (No. 8), and Mima Ito (No. 9).
Overall, host nation Qatar is aiming to deliver surprise results on home soil, with five male players and two female players set to compete. The organizing committee has remained committed to offering a sophisticated infrastructure to welcome thousands of fans and to securing transportation amenities, such as the Doha Metro and electric buses.
By organizing this tournament, Qatar reiterates its capability to host major events, having fully outfitted two major halls in Lusail and Qatar University with cutting-edge technologies to support players and spectators.