Liang Jingkun has made a stunning return to form, playing some of his best table tennis in recent memory. The “Big Fat” who was once unbreakable is back. On May 8, during the men’s team quarterfinal of the 2026 London World Team Table Tennis Championships, Liang Jingkun took to the court as the third player and swept South Korea’s An Jae-hyun 3-0.
Wang Chuqin had earlier battled to a 3-2 victory over Oh Jun-sung, and Lin Shidong dominated Jang Woo-jin 3-0. The Chinese men’s team defeated South Korea 3-0 to advance to the semifinals, avenging their shocking 1-3 loss in the group stage.
Liang Jingkun has been hampered by injuries in recent months, leading to inconsistent form and several losses in external matches—including three defeats at this World Championships alone. Despite the criticism, the coaching staff, led by head coach Wang Hao, kept faith in him and named him the third singles player against South Korea.
While Zhou Qihao and Xiang Peng secured their spots through qualification trials, Liang Jingkun was added to the squad after Fan Zhendong voluntarily withdrew. The coaching staff valued his experience and hoped he would turn things around at a critical moment.
Liang Jingkun is a former world champion with the national team and has achieved solid results in singles events. If he returns to his best, he could become a reliable scoring option in the third singles position.
Against South Korea’s An Jae-hyun, Liang started strong, taking an 8-3 lead in the first game before winning 11-7. In the second game, he jumped to a 3-0 lead, and after An closed to 5-6, Liang won five straight points to take it 11-5. The third game was more tense, with Liang trailing 6-9 before launching a comeback with powerful rallies, leveling at 9-9. The score went to 10-10, 11-11, and 12-12. CCTV commentator Gao Han remarked, “In the latter part of this game, Liang showed the sharpness and brilliance of his earlier days.” An Jae-hyun took a 13-12 lead, but Liang’s aggressive forehand and backhand loops turned the tide. He won the next two points to close out the match 14-12.
Commentator Yan An later noted, “When it comes to knockout stages, the Chinese team always shows a different fighting spirit.” He also emphasized that Wang Chuqin’s hard-fought win in the first match was crucial, and that Lin Shidong and Liang Jingkun were both inspired by it. Oh Jun-sung had beaten two Chinese players in the group stage, so Wang’s victory was key.
Liang Jingkun’s resurgence is vital for the national team. With tougher opponents ahead, the lineup will likely remain Wang Chuqin as first singles, Lin Shidong as second, and Liang Jingkun as third. If both Lin and Liang can maintain their form, China remains the overwhelming favorite to win the title.
Wang Hao, who has consistently trusted Liang Jingkun, shouldered heavy pressure through the rough patches. Now, he has finally seen “Big Fat” rise from the ashes.
