https://www.scmp.com/rss/41/feed The latest China sports news, fixtures, results and comment. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Mike Chan Mike Chan Zhao Xintong has said he would rather become the first Chinese player to win the Triple Crown than successfully defend his World Snooker Championship title in Sheffield at the first attempt. Tournament top seed Zhao also said he believed winning his maiden ranking title at the 2021 UK Championship was as big a milestone as winning the Crucible crown last year. The world No 3 will begin his title defence against qualifier and Englishman Liam Highfield in the first round on Saturday. “For me, it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3350326/zhao-believes-becoming-first-chinese-player-win-triple-crown-better-defending-world-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3350326/zhao-believes-becoming-first-chinese-player-win-triple-crown-better-defending-world-title?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:30:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Police in southern China have detained and fined a man accused of the systematic cyberbullying of triple Olympic diving champion Quan Hongchan, state media reported on Friday. The 19-year-old, who won gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021 when she was just 14 before winning two more golds in Paris in 2024, has become one of China’s most popular athletes. But Quan has been the subject of repeated harassment online, with her weight a frequent target for comments. Police in the Yuexiu district of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349705/china-police-detain-and-fine-man-behind-cyberbullying-olympian-quan-hongchan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349705/china-police-detain-and-fine-man-behind-cyberbullying-olympian-quan-hongchan?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:16:35 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Fan Zhendong has opted out of China’s defence of its World Team Table Tennis Championships title, sparking fears among fans that this could be the year the men finally lose. The reigning National Games singles champion, Fan qualified automatically for the tournament, which runs from April 28 to May 10 in London, but reportedly gave up his spot for “personal reasons”. At the previous championships in South Korea two years ago, Fan was instrumental in securing China’s 11th consecutive title,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349512/china-defend-world-team-championships-title-without-table-tennis-star-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349512/china-defend-world-team-championships-title-without-table-tennis-star-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:00:08 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Chinese swimming authorities have launched an investigation into cyberbullying targeting three-time Olympic diving champion Quan Hongchan, including by a group that included some of her own national teammates. The authorities have also reported the matter to the police. The move comes after Quan revealed in a recent interview that sustained online abuse over her physique had left her with “resistance and dissatisfaction” towards her body and pushed her to consider retirement. Quan, who won her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349419/chinese-authorities-investigating-malicious-cyberbullying-diving-star-quan-hongchan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349419/chinese-authorities-investigating-malicious-cyberbullying-diving-star-quan-hongchan?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:44 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Chinese table tennis star Wang Chuqin admitted in a recent interview that he is trying to emulate the stability provided by legends Ma Long and Fan Zhendong in his new role leading the men’s national team. After Ma and Fan withdrew from the world rankings in late 2024 after the Paris Olympics, Wang was thrust into the spotlight for the Chinese men’s team. Wang was interviewed by a mainland sports magazine before the ITTF World Cup event in Macau for an article published online on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349368/chinese-star-wang-chuqin-admits-he-trying-emulate-stability-ma-long-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349368/chinese-star-wang-chuqin-admits-he-trying-emulate-stability-ma-long-fan-zhendong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:30:14 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Wang Chuqin and Zhao Xintong have more in common than being champions in their respective sports; the pair are close friends and are eyeing a potential reunion in London after clinching major titles on the same day. The International Table Tennis Federation World Cup in Macau and the snooker Tour Championship in Manchester both finished on Sunday, with Wang and Zhao securing the men’s singles titles in each. Zhao, who beat world No 1 Judd Trump, revealed the pair had been messaging throughout... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349275/close-friends-wang-and-zhao-eye-london-reunion-after-both-win-titles-same-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349275/close-friends-wang-and-zhao-eye-london-reunion-after-both-win-titles-same-day?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:00:07 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China topped the medal table at the 2026 Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup in Cairo, with a team of rising stars and Olympic champions securing three gold, two silver and three bronze medals. Competition concluded on Monday with China claiming gold in the men’s parallel bars, horizontal bar and the women’s floor exercise. Ke Qinqin won gold in the women’s floor exercise with a score of 12.966 after a fluid and stable routine. The 15-year-old also took home silver on the balance beam with... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349236/china-finish-top-medal-table-2026-artistic-gymnastics-apparatus-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349236/china-finish-top-medal-table-2026-artistic-gymnastics-apparatus-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Zhao Xintong has said he hopes to maintain his winning form for the defence of his World Snooker Championship title – a feat no first-time winner has been able to achieve at the Crucible. The Chinese snooker star made history last weekend when he won the Tour Championship to become the first player to win all three Players Series events in a single season, but the 29-year-old has a new challenge awaiting him in two weeks. Zhao’s sixth career ranking title came on Sunday after he defeated world... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349188/chinese-star-zhao-xintong-hopes-continue-winning-run-world-snooker-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3349188/chinese-star-zhao-xintong-hopes-continue-winning-run-world-snooker-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:00:55 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s Sun Yingsha added another accolade to her already glittering table tennis résumé on Sunday, becoming the first woman to win a third consecutive World Cup title. Sun, who beat teammate Wang Manyu 4-1 at the Galaxy Arena in Macau, joined compatriot Fan Zhendong as the only players in the sport’s history to manage the feat. Fan claimed the men’s singles title three times, starting in 2018. On a day when China’s continued dominance of the game was again tested, Wang Chuqin finally took the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349100/sun-yingsha-makes-table-tennis-history-world-cup-three-peat-wang-wins-mens-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349100/sun-yingsha-makes-table-tennis-history-world-cup-three-peat-wang-wins-mens-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:34:02 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Chinese stars Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin battled through intense matches and dramatic comebacks to reach the ITTF World Cup semi-finals, on a Saturday marked by a series of upsets at the Galaxy Arena in Macau. While Wang Chuqin produced a stirring comeback to keep China’s hopes alive in the men’s singles, edging Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic 4-3, in a seven-game thriller, only Sun and Wang Manyu survived the women’s quarter-finals, with Chen Xintong and Wang Yidi getting knocked out. Trailing 3-1,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349054/chinas-sun-and-wang-battle-world-cup-semi-finals-day-upsets-macau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3349054/chinas-sun-and-wang-battle-world-cup-semi-finals-day-upsets-macau?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Apr 2026 16:12:12 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Wang Chuqin kept alive China’s hopes of success in the men’s singles at the ITTF World Cup in Macau with a 4-2 victory over France’s Felix Lebrun on Friday. Wang dropped a tense opening game despite leading 9-6 and 10-9, as world No 6 Lebrun fought back to edge it 13-11. The Chinese left-hander again found himself in trouble in the second, trailing 2-7, but turned the game around with a series of aggressive rallies to win at 11-9. Lebrun regained the initiative in the third, moving ahead 6-2 and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3348999/wang-beats-lebrun-keeps-chinas-ittf-world-cup-hopes-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3348999/wang-beats-lebrun-keeps-chinas-ittf-world-cup-hopes-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:48:23 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s under-16 women’s team moved into second place at the Montaigu Football World Cup after a 2-1 victory over hosts France on Wednesday, their second consecutive win in the six-team tournament. Zhou Jintong and He Fengqingyang both scored as the visitors triumphed at the Stade Maxime Bossis. China took the lead in the 15th minute when Zhou curled a free kick into the top corner. They doubled their advantage in the 45th minute after He controlled a long pass in the box and scored with a shot... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348833/china-under-16-womens-team-beat-hosts-france-second-win-invitational-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348833/china-under-16-womens-team-beat-hosts-france-second-win-invitational-event?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:09 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Snooker world No 1 Bai Yulu said on Tuesday that she hopes her journey inspires more people to appreciate the sport’s charm, and encourages more girls to pick up a cue. In a 37-minute interview with state media, the 22-year-old discussed her career path and described herself as still being in a “growth phase”. The defending women’s world snooker champion defined herself as a “clumsy bird flying early”, attributing her success to a lot of practice rather than being a “genius”. “I think talent... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348797/chinese-world-no-1-snooker-player-bai-yulu-hoping-more-girls-will-emulate-her-journey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348797/chinese-world-no-1-snooker-player-bai-yulu-hoping-more-girls-will-emulate-her-journey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hong Kong’s top women’s player Doo Hoi-kem was eliminated from the ITTF World Cup in Macau on Wednesday, after losing a group-stage match 3-1 to China’s Wang Yidi. Doo’s exit follows that of teammate Lam Siu-hang the previous night, ending Hong Kong’s participation in the tournament. Lam, like Doo, also finished second in his group. Doo fell 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4 to her friendly rival, finishing the group stage with one win and one loss to place second and missing the 16-strong knockout... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348688/ittf-world-cup-hong-kongs-doo-hoi-kem-ousted-chinas-wang-yidi-wonderful-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348688/ittf-world-cup-hong-kongs-doo-hoi-kem-ousted-chinas-wang-yidi-wonderful-match?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:17 +0000 Reuters Reuters China’s football team received a reality check on Tuesday when they conceded two early goals to lose 2-0 to Cameroon in a Fifa Series match at AAMI Park in Melbourne. The defeat against the physically strong African side came four days after Shao Jiayi’s team had beaten World Cup-bound Curacao by the same score last Friday. Both China and Cameroon failed to qualify for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting in June. Cameroon, who are ranked inside the world top 50, took... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348564/china-football-team-sucker-punched-early-goals-wake-call-against-cameroon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348564/china-football-team-sucker-punched-early-goals-wake-call-against-cameroon?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:30:08 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi-kem kept her ITTF World Cup campaign alive with a narrow 3-2 victory over Poland’s Natalia Bajor on Tuesday to set up a high-stakes clash with world No 8 Wang Yidi. The local No 1 woman became the only remaining hope in the tournament after teammate Lam Siu-hang saw his journey end in the group stage. Hong Kong fielded just one male and one female representative at the week-long tournament, which opened on Monday in Macau. World No 35 Doo held off the Polish player, ranked 23... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348557/ittf-world-cup-hong-kongs-doo-hoi-kem-edges-polish-rival-key-clash-world-no-8?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348557/ittf-world-cup-hong-kongs-doo-hoi-kem-edges-polish-rival-key-clash-world-no-8?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:56:17 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan A city in China will be announced as one of seven host cities for a global basketball season over the course of the next few weeks, the South China Morning Post has learned. League executives confirmed that the “vast majority of events” of Project B, the new women’s and men’s basketball league that will begin in November and run until April next year, will take place in Asia and Europe during its debut season. Tokyo, the fourth stop on the circuit, was first announced in January. Valencia, the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348373/chinese-city-be-named-among-7-host-cities-new-basketball-league-project-b?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3348373/chinese-city-be-named-among-7-host-cities-new-basketball-league-project-b?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:17:21 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Chinese Olympic speed skating champion Ning Zhongyan is set to trade his blades for football boots, joining his hometown side Harbin to play in the 2026 Northeast China City Football League. Ning, who won the 1,500m speed skating event at last month’s 2026 Winter Olympics, could face another gold medallist on the football pitch, with Milano-Cortina aerials skiing champion Wang Xindi also confirming his participation in the same tournament. Ning, 26, will arrive for the amateur tournament, which... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348202/chinese-winter-olympic-champions-ning-zhongyan-wang-xindi-play-football-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348202/chinese-winter-olympic-champions-ning-zhongyan-wang-xindi-play-football-league?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 02:00:18 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Hong Kong’s Lam Siu-hang will replace injured Chinese world No 5 Lin Shidong in the field for the ITTF World Cup in Macau, less than a week before the event starts next Monday. The 20-year-old withdrew because of recurrent tendinitis and a partial tear in his rotator cuff. Medical and coaching staff cited the player being in persistent pain and having restricted shoulder movement caused by accumulated fatigue from a dense tournament schedule. The coaching team made the decision to protect the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348198/ittf-world-cup-hong-kongs-lam-siu-hang-take-injured-lin-shidongs-spot-macau?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348198/ittf-world-cup-hong-kongs-lam-siu-hang-take-injured-lin-shidongs-spot-macau?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:00:19 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A physical China beat World Cup-bound Curacao 2-0 on Friday in the Caribbean island nation’s first match under new Dutch coach Fred Rutten after the abrupt departure of veteran Dick Advocaat. Wei Shihao and Zhang Yuning scored either side of the break at Sydney’s Stadium Australia in a wake-up call for the tiny country ahead of their debut appearance at the global showpiece in North America in June-July. Curacao, with a population of just 156,000, are the smallest nation ever to make a World... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348143/lower-ranked-china-give-world-cup-bound-curacao-wake-call-fifa-series-match?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3348143/lower-ranked-china-give-world-cup-bound-curacao-wake-call-fifa-series-match?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Organisers of the Beijing Yizhuang Half Marathon have confirmed that the second edition of the event featuring humanoid robots will be held next month, with human runners sharing the course with their mechanised counterparts once again. As described by the organisers, “human athletes and robots will compete on the same course”, with the two groups starting the race together on April 19 in Beijing E-Town, with the finish line set in Nanhaizi Park. On the robots’ side, more than 300 humanoid... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348023/humans-robots-run-together-again-beijing-yizhuang-half-marathon-organisers-confirm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3348023/humans-robots-run-together-again-beijing-yizhuang-half-marathon-organisers-confirm?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:37:33 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Two runners at the 2026 Chengdu World Heritage Marathon have been penalised after behaviour on the course that sparked widespread criticism on Chinese social media. In one incident, viral videos show one woman stopping suddenly during the race to perform a full split on the running path, apparently posing for photographers on the sidelines. Her move caused runners behind her to almost trip over her and forced them to jump aside in a scramble. In the other, a clip showed a man carrying a large... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347897/chengdu-marathon-organisers-ban-woman-who-did-splits-mid-race-man-who-hoarded-energy-gel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347897/chengdu-marathon-organisers-ban-woman-who-did-splits-mid-race-man-who-hoarded-energy-gel?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:00:17 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Olympic diving champion Zhang Jiaqi has hit back at critics who have labelled her career shift to live streaming as “the fall of a genius”, asserting that financial independence is the ultimate freedom for women. The 21-year-old retired in November after finishing 10th in the National Games 10m platform final, marking the end of a 15-year career and the start of a new life chapter. Her live stream e-commerce debut a week later sparked an online backlash, with internet trolls accusing her of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347758/olympic-diving-champion-zhang-jiaqi-defends-career-switch-says-she-has-find-new-job?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347758/olympic-diving-champion-zhang-jiaqi-defends-career-switch-says-she-has-find-new-job?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:08 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Olympic singles champion Chen Meng has admitted she is still hungry for more success, even after dominating women’s table tennis at the past two Games. Speaking to Chinese media, the 32-year-old said her heart will always remain “on the court”. “I will play as long as there are the right events – my heart has always been on the court,” Chen said. “I would resume training according to my condition and also go and watch the younger players practise, giving them technical guidance.” After defending... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347705/olympic-champion-chen-meng-help-younger-players-grow-fan-zhendong-extends-german-stint?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347705/olympic-champion-chen-meng-help-younger-players-grow-fan-zhendong-extends-german-stint?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:36:23 +0000 Agence France-Presse,dpa Agence France-Presse,dpa Jannik Sinner set a record for consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events as the Italian and Aryna Sabalenka kept their “Sunshine Double” dreams alive with emphatic victories at the ATP/WTA Miami Open on Monday. Sinner and Sabalenka are bidding to join an elite band of players who have won Indian Wells and the Miami Open back to back, and arrived in Florida brimming with confidence after their respective victories in the California desert earlier this month. World No 2 Sinner beat French... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347687/miami-open-sunshine-double-dreams-alive-sinner-breaks-record-sabalenka-beats-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3347687/miami-open-sunshine-double-dreams-alive-sinner-breaks-record-sabalenka-beats-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:05:13 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Former nurse Zhang Shuihua secured her first title as a full-time marathon runner – and in a record time – at the 2026 Lishui Marathon, three months after announcing her resignation from her “iron rice bowl” position. Once known as China’s “fastest female nurse”, Zhang sparked widespread debate last year after winning the Harbin Marathon as an amateur, after which she tearfully pleaded for her “leaders to support her time-off requests to run marathons”. Six months later, and after resigning from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347620/former-fastest-female-nurse-wins-first-marathon-professional-earning-40000-yuan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347620/former-fastest-female-nurse-wins-first-marathon-professional-earning-40000-yuan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:00:10 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Olympic gold medallist Wang Shun had to settle for silver in the 200 metres individual medley on his 2026 season debut, while the 13-year-old sensation Yu Zidi staged a stunning comeback for her third triumph of the China Open Swimming Championships on Sunday. The only athlete born in the 1990s who competed in his final, the 32-year-old Wang qualified fastest in his group from the morning heats. He began the final strongly but faded towards the end and was overtaken by the talented 21-year-old... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3347501/yu-zidi-completes-golden-hat-trick-china-open-swimming-championships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3347501/yu-zidi-completes-golden-hat-trick-china-open-swimming-championships?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:04:49 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey followed up her 100m win the previous night by winning the 50m freestyle at the China Open Swimming Championships, while Australia’s Cameron McEvoy won the men’s event by almost a body length to break the world record. Not long after winning the 50m, Haughey also won a silver in the 200m freestyle. As she did on Thursday, Haughey won at the Longgang Universiade Centre Natatorium in Shenzhen by the narrowest of margins, finishing in a time of 24.41 seconds, just ahead... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347377/hong-kongs-haughey-wins-gold-silver-china-open-australian-mcevoy-breaks-world-mark?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347377/hong-kongs-haughey-wins-gold-silver-china-open-australian-mcevoy-breaks-world-mark?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:00:15 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara China table tennis great Ma Long received a rock star’s welcome as he made a guest appearance at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University on Friday. A six-time Olympic gold medallist, Ma joined a panel discussion, then exhibited his enduring talent in front of a thrilled audience. As he made to leave the sports hall after trading shots with two leading university players, Ma disappeared amid a scrum of bodies hunting selfies and signatures. “That enthusiasm and excitement showed the power and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347349/ma-long-receives-rock-star-welcome-hong-kong-china-great-attracts-thrilled-crowds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347349/ma-long-receives-rock-star-welcome-hong-kong-china-great-attracts-thrilled-crowds?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 13:00:49 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ronnie O’Sullivan keeps breaking records in snooker – now, at age 50, he has made the highest-ever break in the history of the professional game. The seven-time world champion cleared the table for a break of 153 in the first frame of his 5-0 win over Ryan Day at the World Open in China. The highest possible break is 155. The previous biggest break in competition was 148, made by Jamie Burnett in qualifying for the UK Championship in 2004. “I feel blessed to be able to achieve these things,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347317/ronnie-osullivan-makes-snooker-history-highest-ever-break-153-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/3347317/ronnie-osullivan-makes-snooker-history-highest-ever-break-153-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:07:42 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Siobhan Haughey won women’s 100m freestyle gold by the narrowest of margins, Tang Qianting shattered her own Asian record twice in a matter of hours and there was more glory for teen sensation Yu Zidi on the opening day of the China Open Swimming Championships. Returning to the site of her National Games glory in Shenzhen, Haughey led from start to finish to beat Australia’s Mollie O’Callaghan by a hundredth of a second on Thursday, touching the wall at Longgang Universiade Centre Natatorium in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347155/tang-breaks-own-womens-50m-breaststroke-asian-record-haughey-chasing-100m-freestyle-gold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3347155/tang-breaks-own-womens-50m-breaststroke-asian-record-haughey-chasing-100m-freestyle-gold?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Mar 2026 09:10:07 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang The winner of the 2026 Chongqing Wanzhou Marathon was stopped and diverted just before the finish line, an incident organisers blamed on an official’s rain-soaked glasses. Yunnan runner Sheng Xueli was leading by a fair distance on Sunday, but when he approached the finish line, a confused official mistook him for a half-marathon participant and blocked his path. Sheng was then directed into the half-marathon finishers’ chute. Following the confusion, officials eventually guided him back to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3346866/chinese-race-official-handed-1-year-ban-after-mistakenly-pushing-winner-course?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3346866/chinese-race-official-handed-1-year-ban-after-mistakenly-pushing-winner-course?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:30:09 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China table tennis legend Ma Long will visit Hong Kong next week to talk to local students, and a demand for tickets has already sprung up online despite it being a free, registration-only event. The six-time Olympic champion commands a crowd wherever he goes, and a 90-minute seminar at Polytechnic University seems to be no exception. Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, vice-president of the city’s Sports Federation and Olympic Committee, will host the event – A Glamorous Transformation in Sports: The Next... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3346068/mas-hong-kong-visit-sparks-online-ticket-frenzy-despite-being-free-registration-only?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3346068/mas-hong-kong-visit-sparks-online-ticket-frenzy-despite-being-free-registration-only?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 06:31:44 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan China get another chance to qualify for the Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup this week, and will have home fans roaring them on. Gong Luming’s side will play five matches in seven days in a six-team tournament in Wuhan and need to finish in the top three to reach September’s tournament in Berlin. An opener against Mali on Wednesday will be followed by ties against the already qualified Belgium, South Sudan, the Czech Republic and Brazil at the Wuhan Sports Centre Gymnasium. Centre Han Xu, a key... https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345988/chinas-big-four-back-another-shot-reaching-womens-basketball-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/basketball/article/3345988/chinas-big-four-back-another-shot-reaching-womens-basketball-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:27 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s Wang Zhiyi said her resilience had been key to beating world No 1 An Se-young to secure her first All England Open Badminton Championships title, ending a 10-match losing streak against her South Korean rival. Wang won 21-15, 21-19 on Sunday to claim her 12th BWF World Tour singles title. The victory marks the first time in seven years a Chinese player has won the women’s singles crown in Birmingham. “I am super excited. I feel like a dream comes true,” Wang said. “Honestly, I still... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345972/chinas-wang-says-resilience-key-stunning-win-over-world-no-1-all-england-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345972/chinas-wang-says-resilience-key-stunning-win-over-world-no-1-all-england-final?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Chinese swimming star Li Bingjie has rejected the notion she was ever a prodigy, and rather considered herself to be a “shark” who swam her way back to the top through years of hardship and who now had her sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics. Li rose to fame at age 15, breaking the Asian record when she won silver at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, and claiming four gold medals at the National Games that year. However, there was an eight-year gap before she achieved another... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345884/chinese-swimmer-li-bingjie-reveals-secret-her-return-la-olympic-track-cold-buns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345884/chinese-swimmer-li-bingjie-reveals-secret-her-return-la-olympic-track-cold-buns?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:00:22 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press San Francisco rang in the Year of the Horse with its annual Chinese New Year parade on Saturday evening, with thousands of revellers cheering on hometown hero and Olympic champion Eileen Gu as its grand marshal. The procession featured drums, dancing and floats celebrating the vibrancy of the Chinese-American community in the oldest celebration of its kind outside Asia and one of the largest. Civic leaders and performers paraded from downtown to Chinatown through popping firecrackers. Children... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345853/olympian-eileen-gu-heads-annual-chinese-new-year-parade-her-native-san-francisco?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345853/olympian-eileen-gu-heads-annual-chinese-new-year-parade-her-native-san-francisco?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 04:39:40 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Wang Liqin, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), has said that efforts to rectify toxic fan culture in the sport are seeing progress as the national team balances Olympic preparations with youth development. The former world and Olympic champion is in Beijing for the annual “two sessions” meeting as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), joined by other sports figures including former CTTA president Liu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345618/table-tennis-head-wang-liqin-says-progress-being-made-fix-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345618/table-tennis-head-wang-liqin-says-progress-being-made-fix-toxic-fan-culture?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:02:42 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu said representing China had allowed her to fulfil her mission of popularising winter sport and dismantling gender barriers, but acknowledged it was something “a lot of people won’t understand or believe”. The 22-year-old, who brought her career total to six medals at last month’s Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, wrote on social media on Tuesday that her decision had turned her dreams into reality and maximised her global impact, encouraging young girls especially... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345392/eileen-gu-says-people-wont-understand-or-believe-why-she-decided-compete-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345392/eileen-gu-says-people-wont-understand-or-believe-why-she-decided-compete-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:30:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese swimming sensation Yu Zidi has been nominated for a Laureus World Sports Award, the youngest athlete to ever receive that honour. The 13-year-old is up for the Breakthrough of the Year Award alongside the likes of NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Formula 1 champion Lando Norris. There has been recognition too for Hong Kong charity Rugby for Good in the Laureus Sport for Good category. Yu made history at the World Aquatics Championships last year, becoming the youngest swimmer to ever... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345309/chinas-teen-swimming-sensation-yu-becomes-youngest-ever-receive-laureus-nomination?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345309/chinas-teen-swimming-sensation-yu-becomes-youngest-ever-receive-laureus-nomination?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:00:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China dominating a diving competition is not really news, but the emergence of two teenagers has made fans sit up and take notice of the weekend’s World Cup stop in Montreal. In an event where the country’s athletes won nine gold and four silver medals, it was those secured by Jiang Linjing, 15, and Cui Jiaxi, 13, that got tongues wagging. Jiang, who rose to prominence by finishing third behind Olympic champions Chen Yuxi and Quan Hongchan at the 2023 National Diving Championships, took the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345096/chinese-diving-pipeline-spills-out-two-teens-already-being-hailed-future-champs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345096/chinese-diving-pipeline-spills-out-two-teens-already-being-hailed-future-champs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:59:44 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese table tennis star Sun Yingsha has defended her World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash title with a hard-earned victory on Sunday. Playing compatriot Wang Manyu in the women’s singles final at The Kallang, world No 1 Sun drew first blood before surviving a 7-0 run by Wang, who is ranked one place below, to also take the second game. Facing a 2-0 deficit and tied at 7-7 in the third game, Wang won four points on a trot to pull one back. The Heilongjiang native then did it again in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345052/sun-yingsha-wins-singapore-smash-third-time-while-wang-chuqin-reclaims-his-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345052/sun-yingsha-wins-singapore-smash-third-time-while-wang-chuqin-reclaims-his-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:00:14 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Feng Peiyou knocked nearly a minute off the Chinese record at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday, and threw down a huge challenge to Japan’s best ahead of this year’s Asian Games. The 24-year-old was the first Asian athlete across the line, coming 11th in a time of two hours, five minutes and 58 seconds, crushing the previous best of 2:06:57 set by He Jie at the Wuxi Marathon in 2024. Feng, who became the first Chinese runner to dip below two hours and six minutes, ran much of the race alongside... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345017/japanese-rivals-spur-feng-peiyou-break-he-jies-chinese-record-tokyo-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3345017/japanese-rivals-spur-feng-peiyou-break-he-jies-chinese-record-tokyo-marathon?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:07:28 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has apologised to China’s national team and their fans after describing their victory over Japan as “a sneaky win” on social media. China came from behind to beat hosts Japan 87-80 in their Fiba Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers match on Thursday in Okinawa, overturning a 14-point deficit in the second half. After the game, the sport’s governing body posted the result on its official social media platforms with the caption: “Drama in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344986/basketball-world-governing-body-apologises-china-after-calling-win-over-japan-sneaky?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344986/basketball-world-governing-body-apologises-china-after-calling-win-over-japan-sneaky?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 15:00:12 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese table tennis star Sun Yingsha continued her impressive early-season form, breezing into the quarter-finals of the Singapore Smash on Friday. The world No 1, who is defending champion, beat compatriot Shi Xunyao 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6 in little more than 35 minutes at The Kallang to set up a last-eight clash with Hina Hayata. The Japanese world No 10 had earlier edged past Kuai Man in a thrilling five-game battle, with the world No 5 from Jiangsu the only Chinese casualty of the day. Chen... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344923/chinese-star-sun-yingsha-extends-fine-start-season-last-8-spot-singapore-smash?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344923/chinese-star-sun-yingsha-extends-fine-start-season-last-8-spot-singapore-smash?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:00:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Defending champions China are looking to recreate their glory days at the Women’s Asian Cup, but the Steel Roses’ hopes of a record 10th title face a daunting challenge from powerhouse Japan, hosts Australia and dark horse North Korea. The 12-team competition gets under way in Western Australian city Perth on Sunday, when Sam Kerr’s Matildas face the Philippines in a tournament organisers hope will create a similar buzz to the 2023 Women’s World Cup. That showcase, co-hosted by Australia and New... https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3344847/china-chase-glory-days-womens-asian-cup-japan-australia-north-korea-stand-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/football/article/3344847/china-chase-glory-days-womens-asian-cup-japan-australia-north-korea-stand-way?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:51:47 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara It was Su Yiming, on a 22nd birthday he will never forget, who ended China’s anxious 12-day wait for Winter Olympics gold in Italy. “I told myself only gold would allow our anthem to be played,” Su said. “In an international competition like this, letting the world hear China’s anthem means everything.” By the time Milano Cortina passed the Games torch across the border to the French Alps on Sunday, March of the Volunteers had been beamed into living rooms around the world a further four... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344325/winter-olympics-china-enjoy-best-overseas-medal-haul-eileen-gu-looking-ahead-next-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344325/winter-olympics-china-enjoy-best-overseas-medal-haul-eileen-gu-looking-ahead-next-games?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:01:54 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese snooker star Zhao Xintong said he was not “thinking too much” about the prospect of retaining his world title in April after winning the Players Championship in England on Sunday. In-form Zhao beat the evergreen John Higgins 10-7 at Telford International Centre to capture his fifth career ranking title. Zhao was also only the 14th player to win back-to-back ranking events on the World Snooker Tour, after his World Grand Prix triumph in Hong Kong a fortnight ago. Aiming to become the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344303/zhao-xintong-attributes-surge-form-mental-prowess-after-winning-players-championship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344303/zhao-xintong-attributes-surge-form-mental-prowess-after-winning-players-championship?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 05:33:49 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport China’s freestyle skiing golden couple Wang Xindi and Xu Mengtao have been urged to have a baby after making history at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Wang and Xu became the first married couple to win individual men’s and women’s gold medals in the same event in the same Olympic Games. On Wednesday, Xu, 35, defended the women’s aerials gold medal she won in Beijing 2022. Two days later, the 30-year-old Wang triumphed in the men’s event. Following their historic achievement, Wang and Xu... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344250/written-snow-wang-xindi-xu-mengtao-embrace-role-chinas-golden-couple-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344250/written-snow-wang-xindi-xu-mengtao-embrace-role-chinas-golden-couple-games?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:00:33 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball China’s Eileen Gu became the most decorated freestyle skier in the history of the Winter Olympics after winning halfpipe gold on Sunday, then learned moments later that her grandmother had died. The 22-year-old Gu added a sixth medal to her already impressive collection, successfully defending a title she won as part of her triple haul at the Beijing Games four years ago. No other freeskier, man or woman, has won as many as Gu, who is the only woman to have competed in all the park and pipe... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344263/eileen-gu-ends-winter-olympics-high-grabs-gold-womens-halfpipe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3344263/eileen-gu-ends-winter-olympics-high-grabs-gold-womens-halfpipe?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:05:34 +0000