Sun Yingsha: Character Matters More Than Victory (The World Cup Gesture)

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 17:20:00 -0300

In table tennis, we often get lost in technical analysis: the speed of the forehand, the precision of the backhand, the spin on the serve. China, with its overwhelming dominance, is the gold standard of that technical excellence. But recently, the world number 1, Sun Yingsha, reminded us that an athlete’s true greatness goes far beyond the scoreboard.

During the 2025 ITTF Mixed Team World Cup, in Chengdu, she was at the center of a moment that has already gone down in the history of fair play, proving that her sportsmanship is as flawless as her game.

The gesture that silenced the arena (and won over the world)

The scene was one of high tension: a decisive match against Germany. During a hard-fought point against Nina Mittelham, that classic situation every table tennis player knows came up: the doubt about the “let” (the ball touching the net) on the serve.

The video review system (TTR) was called in. In the footage shown on the big screen, it was clear that the ball had touched the net. But, through a startling failure of communication or interpretation, the officials made the wrong call: they validated the serve and awarded the point to Sun Yingsha.

At that moment, 99% of professional athletes would have accepted the “gift”. After all, the official decision had already gone in their favor. But Sun Yingsha did the unexpected. Even with the point secured by the umpire, she refused to win through a mistake.

With absolute integrity, she voluntarily corrected the officials, signaling that the ball had indeed touched the net and that the point should be replayed. She turned down the unfair advantage and put the truth of the game first.

That gesture resonated around the world. In an environment of absurd pressure like the Chinese National Team (‘Guo Ping’), having the mental clarity to correct an official error against yourself is the ultimate proof of character. As the international media pointed out: “what makes her respected is not just the number of titles, but her exemplary conduct”.

Nobility recognized: athlete of the year

It is no coincidence that, right after showing such class, Sun Yingsha received another huge recognition away from the tables. She was the only Chinese athlete nominated for the prestigious 2025 Female Athlete of the Year award by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

That nomination places her alongside the greatest legends of every sport. It crowns a season in which Sun Yingsha not only achieved the “double Grand Slam” (winning everything in singles and doubles), but also earned the unanimous respect of opponents and fans.

The 360TT lesson

For those of us who live table tennis, the lesson is clear. Our sport is fast and aggressive, but above all it is a game of honor and gentlemanly conduct. Sun Yingsha’s attitude teaches us that winning is important, but how you win defines who you are.

If the world number 1 was able to correct an umpire so she would not win an unfair point, we can also bring that spirit of honesty to our training sessions and club tournaments.

Sun Yingsha proved that it is possible to be the best in the world and, at the same time, the most noble.

Now I want to hear from you: would you have the courage to give back a point the umpire has already given you? Tell us in the comments!

Hurricane 8 on the Backhand: The Secret Weapon of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha!

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 02:12:00 -0300

It’s not a trend anymore, it’s a reality. Chen Meng, Wang Chuqin and the world number 1, Sun Yingsha. The names at the top of the world rankings share a secret on the backhand: the DHS Hurricane 8. In a move that breaks decades of paradigms, the Chinese elite is rewriting the rules of the backhand game, and here at 360TT we took a deep look at this news.

The change forced by the 40+ ball

Historically, the backhand has always been the territory of European and Japanese tensor rubbers: fast, elastic and less demanding physically. However, the introduction of the 40+ plastic ball changed the game. The ball became slower and heavier, requiring athletes to generate much more power and spin on their own, even on the backhand. It was this new reality that opened the door to a Chinese solution.

What makes the H8 special for the backhand

Many people think of the H8 as a “softer Hurricane 3”, but the truth is more complex. It was designed from the start to be a weapon in the 40+ era, with unique characteristics.

A unique balance: the Hurricane 8 is a high-tack, high-elasticity rubber, keeping a perfect balance between flexibility and elastic strength.
The #25 sponge: its high-elasticity, micro-porous sponge is more elastic than the classic #20 sponge of the H3, which contributes to better support and superior “ball depth” (power on long strokes).
Activation with moderate force: this is the secret. The H8 is better suited to players with moderate strength. That doesn’t mean weak players, but rather that it doesn’t demand the full, explosive biomechanics of a forehand to “activate” its properties, making it ideal for the more compact, faster movements of the modern backhand.

The protagonists of the revolution

The final proof of the Hurricane 8’s effectiveness is in the rackets of the best players in the world. Each of them uses it to maximize their own playing style.

Chen Meng (陈梦)

The Olympic champion uses the NEO Hurricane 8 with 2.1mm sponge thickness and 37 degrees hardness. This setup lets her execute an overpowering backhand, with a heavy ball trajectory, loaded with spin and continuous power.

Wang Chuqin (王楚钦)

One of the biggest stars of today, Wang Chuqin opts for the NEO Hurricane 8 with 2.1mm sponge thickness and 38 degrees hardness. The extra hardness in his rubber is the mark of an ultra-aggressive backhand game, looking to finish points with maximum speed and impact.

Sun Yingsha (孙颖莎)

The definitive confirmation of this revolution comes from the racket of the world number 1. Sun Yingsha’s adoption of the Hurricane 8 on the backhand validates this rubber as the top choice for a modern, aggressive and versatile game, tested and approved at the very top of the sport.

The expert’s conclusion

The rise of the Hurricane 8 on the Chinese elite’s backhand is no accident. It is a smart tactical response to the demands of modern table tennis. For the advanced player who wants to generate their own power, attack with heavy spin and dictate the pace of the point with the backhand, the H8 has stopped being an alternative and become the new standard of champions.

Now I want to hear from you: have you ever tried a Chinese rubber on the backhand? Tell us in the comments how it went.

Ready to use the same weapon as Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng and Wang Chuqin? The DHS Hurricane 8 is waiting for you at 360TT.

DHS Hurricane 8The high-tack, high-elasticity Chinese rubber that the elite uses on the backhand. Visit the store →

sun-yingsha – 360TT Blog