DOHA, Qatar - In one of the most inspiring stories to emerge from the table tennis world this season, Zhu Yuling completed her extraordinary comeback by claiming the women's singles title at WTT Champions Doha 2026 on January 11, defeating China's Chen Xingtong in a dramatic six-game final.

The 29-year-old from Macao SAR, who only returned to international competition in September 2024 after a four-year absence due to illness, showcased the fighting spirit that once carried her to the top of world rankings. Facing the heavily favored world number four Chen Xingtong, Zhu found herself in early trouble, dropping the first game 5-11 before battling to a nail-biting 13-11 victory in the second set.

The final proved to be a rollercoaster affair at the spectacular Lusail Sports Arena. After Chen dominated the third game 11-3 to take a 2-1 lead, Zhu dug deep to level the match with an 11-7 fourth game victory. The momentum shifted decisively in the fifth set as Zhu claimed an 11-8 win, setting up a tense decider that she won 13-11 to secure her maiden WTT Champions crown.

Reflecting on the physically demanding tournament, Zhu offered insight into her mindset during the competition. "Maybe it's the first time that I played two matches in a single day since I came back," she said. Her philosophical approach to the sport following her lengthy absence was evident as she added, "I'd treat every match, every day and every experience as the last one to compete and leave no regrets."

The victory earned Zhu 1,000 ranking points, propelling her to world number five in the ITTF rankings - her first return to the global top five since 2019. For a player whose career-high was world number one in November 2017, this triumph represents a significant milestone in her ongoing rehabilitation journey while she simultaneously pursues doctoral studies.

In the men's singles final, Chinese Taipei's Lin Yun-ju ended his own 26-month title drought with a commanding performance against South Korea's Jang Woo-jin. Lin controlled the match throughout, winning 11-7, 11-9, 11-9, and 13-11 to claim his first WTT title since his Champions Frankfurt triumph in 2023. The victory marked a return to form for the talented Taiwanese player who had been seeking to recapture his best level on the international stage.

The tournament was notably missing some of the sport's biggest names. Reigning world champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, who dominated the 2025 ITTF World Championships held in the same Doha venue, both withdrew from the competition due to ongoing injury concerns.

WTT Champions Doha 2026, which featured 32 men and 32 women competing for a total prize pool of $500,000, marked the first of six Champions events scheduled for the 2026 season. The World Table Tennis tour continues in Doha with the WTT Star Contender running from January 13-18, as players look to build momentum ahead of a packed calendar that includes three Grand Smash events and the ITTF World Team Championships in London later this year.