ITTF Honorary President Xu Yinsheng and Champion Zhao Zihao Energize Shanghai Table Tennis Carnival Campus Event
On the morning of June 13, the sound of ball strikes and children’s laughter filled the auditorium of Qingyun Middle School in Shanghai. A classroom desk became a mini ping-pong table as ITTF Honorary Life President Xu Yinsheng rallied with students — launching the third campus zone of the 2026 Shanghai Table Tennis Carnival Individual Championship.
Passing the Torch
Wang Liqin, President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association and Qingyun alumnus, recorded a congratulatory video, encouraging students to compete with passion and dedication.
Xu Yinsheng recalled playing on concrete floors as a child with a shared ball bought for a few cents, then encouraged today’s students to cherish their excellent facilities: “Stick with table tennis and it’ll ease your eye strain — you might even end up taking off those glasses.”
World junior champion Zhao Zihao signed autographs and played friendly matches. He recalled Shanghai’s men’s team winning the 2017 National Games team title — their first in 52 years — with Wang Liqin behind the scenes. “Shanghai has a solid table tennis foundation among the public,” Zhao said. “The genuine passion I see in these kids gives me great hope.”
Building a Campus Ping-Pong Culture
The event featured the premiere of a school drama, Against the Wind, co-starring Wang Liqin’s sister Li Weijin. Ping-pong professionals ensured technical accuracy.
Qingyun Middle School has embedded table tennis into its curriculum, running regular classes and after-school clubs with two first-rank and one second-rank athlete teachers.
Principal Shen Jie described the school’s tiered talent development philosophy: “Using our motto ‘small ball, big energy,’ we connect with district-level youth sports academies to nurture both skill and character.”
The school’s trophy corridor is lined with cups from ten consecutive district championships.
Source: Shanghai Table Tennis Association