Beijing, January 12 (China News Service) -- The Chinese Table Tennis Association announced on its official website on the 12th the results of the competitive selection for coaches of the national table tennis team during the Los Angeles Olympic cycle. Qin Zhijian is proposed to be appointed as the head coach of the Chinese national team, Xiao Zhan as the deputy head coach, Wang Hao as the head coach of the men's national team, and Ma Lin as the head coach of the women's national team.
In December 2025, the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) officially launched the open recruitment process for coaches of the national table tennis team for the Los Angeles Olympic cycle by publishing a notice on its official website.
According to the relevant work plan, there are 22 coaching positions for the national men's and women's teams and the national youth men's and women's teams. All candidates must receive more than half the votes to be included in the recommended candidate list. After tallying the votes, 20 candidates received more than half the votes. The selection review committee, after discussion, believes that the coaching positions for the national teams and national youth teams are of great responsibility and should be filled by candidates with both integrity and ability. Adhering to the principle of selecting the best among the best, it was ultimately decided to leave two positions vacant for the time being, and further consideration will be given based on the specific needs of the national table tennis team.
Among the proposed hires, 16 are members of the coaching staff for the national table tennis team during the Paris Olympic cycle.
Head coach Qin Zhijian previously served as the head coach of Chinese athletes such as Ma Long and Xu Xin. As the head coach of the national men's team during the Tokyo Olympic cycle, he led the team to win the men's team and men's singles titles at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the men's singles and men's doubles titles at the 2019 Budapest World Table Tennis Championships, the men's singles title at the 2021 Houston World Table Tennis Championships, and the men's team title at the 2022 Chengdu World Team Table Tennis Championships.
Deputy head coach Xiao Zhan previously served as the head coach of Chinese athletes such as Zhang Jike, Liu Shiwen, Wang Manyu, and Wang Chuqin. As the head of the national team's mixed doubles group during the Paris Olympic cycle, he led the team to win the mixed doubles championship at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2023 Durban World Table Tennis Championships, and the 2025 Doha World Table Tennis Championships.
Wang Hao, the head coach of the national men's team, previously served as the head coach of Chinese athletes such as Fan Zhendong. As the head coach of the national men's team during the Paris Olympic cycle, he led the team to win the men's team and men's singles titles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the men's singles and men's doubles titles at the 2023 Durban World Table Tennis Championships, the men's team title at the 2024 Busan World Team Table Tennis Championships, and the men's singles title at the 2025 Doha World Table Tennis Championships.
Ma Lin, the head coach of the national women's team, previously served as the head coach for Chinese athletes such as Liu Shiwen and Chen Meng. As the head coach of the national women's team during the Paris Olympic cycle, he led the team to win the women's team and women's singles titles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the women's singles and women's doubles titles at the 2023 Durban World Table Tennis Championships, the women's team title at the 2024 Busan World Team Table Tennis Championships, and the women's singles and women's doubles titles at the 2025 Doha World Table Tennis Championships.
The list also shows that Liu Bin and Li Lu are proposed to be appointed as head coaches of the national youth team men's team and women's team, respectively.
After the public announcement period, the head coach, deputy head coach, and four head coaches will jointly discuss and determine the specific assignments for the 20 other coaches. (End)
