Chengdu Preview Germany Returns Elevated with European Games and Championship titles
Written by I Dig SportsBoth the German mens and womens teams come to Chengdu following great results at continental events. The mens team secured the title at the 2023 European Games, whereas the womens team claimed victory at the 2023 European Team Table Tennis Championships, avenging their loss to Romania earlier in the year at the European Games in a thrilling final.
Following their strong performance at last years ITTF World Team Championships, where the mens team narrowly defeated Korea Republic to make the finals, Germany will be looking to continue their momentum into the Mixed Team World Cup.
TEAM GERMANY (#2 SEED)
Xiaona SHAN (World No. 29)
Part of the German womens team that won silver at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Shan Xiaona has played a crucial role in helping Germany win major titles on the continental and international stage. Shans first major international title came when she claimed womens singles gold on home soil at the 2014 World Tour German Open. One of few female penholders left on the international circuit, Shan is known for her unique playing style, using short pimpled rubbers on one side of her racket.
Sabine WINTER (World No. 54)
Cementing her place on the German national team, Sabine Winter has proven an integral member at several tournaments including helping Germany win the bronze medal in 2022 and 2010 World Team Championships. In the 2023 season, Winter has displayed solid performance in the WTT Feeder and WTT Contender series, including reaching the semi finals in the womens singles at WTT Feeder Antalya 2023.
Yuan WAN (World No. 89)
26-year-old, Yuan Wan is a strong singles and doubles player with a number of victories in the doubles events in the WTT Feeder series, including claiming the gold medal in the mixed doubles event at the WTT Feeder Düsseldorf 2023 and the title in the womens doubles event at the WTT Feeder Düsseldorf II 2023.
Ricardo WALTHER (World No. 85)
A vital member of the German team, Ricardo has contributed to multiple victories for the German team, including winning the teams title at the 2017 European Championships and securing the silver medal at last years ITTF World Team Championships. Walther is also a dynamic doubles player and is a two-time German champion in doubles and has achieved strong results in the mens doubles event in the WTT Feeder and WTT Contender series, including reaching the finals at the WTT Contender Doha 2022.
Cedric MEISSNER (World No. 94)
Left hander, Cedric Meissner is a two-time German champion in the mixed doubles event. Meissner has had a strong 2023 season, claiming the singles and mixed doubles title at the WTT Feeder Düsseldorf 2023.
Kay STUMPER (World No. 146)
21-year-old Kay Stumper returns to Chengdu after playing a part in Germanys successful run reaching the final at last years ITTF World Team Championships. Stumper was also part of the team that won the mens teams title at the 2021 European Team Table Tennis Championship.
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