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Willa Wu

China’s table tennis champions Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin have captured more than just Olympic gold – they have also won the hearts of fans, who see them as an inseparable pair.
Their on-court chemistry has sparked a social media phenomenon, with supporters dubbing them “a couple” who have weathered triumphs and challenges side by side.
On Weibo, China’s Facebook equivalent, devoted fans have created a “Chaohua page” called “5114 Sha Tou” – a cleverly crafted moniker that blends the athletes’ birth dates and nicknames.
This digital haven overflows with photos and videos showcasing the duo’s close bond, fuelling the imaginations of their ardent followers.

The nickname’s breakdown reveals the depth of fan engagement:
“511” and “Tou” represent Wang, born on May 11 and playfully teased for his “da tou”, which means big head in English. Meanwhile, “114” and “Sha” stand for Sun, a November 4 baby affectionately called “shasha” by her inner circle.
This fan-created narrative adds a touch of romance to the pair’s sporting success, transforming their table-tennis partnership into a story that resonates far beyond the Olympic arena.
The dedicated space has more than 25,000 posts with more than 4,500 fans. Much of the content is about how the duo interact with each other on court, with fans commenting “how great they are when they play together.”
In addition, there are photos and videos of Wang pinching Sun’s face when waiting in line for boarding flights, with fans commenting “how much they adore each other” and “how sweet they are”.
The hashtag “shatou” is also seen in foreign social media platforms such as Instagram and X.

An Instagram fan page account “shatou20011002” has almost 8,000 followers. A photo showing the duo hugging after matches with the caption “I will protect the one I love” has received more than 1,000 likes.
However, reality seems to diverge from these romantic fantasies. Luxembourg’s 61-year-old table tennis veteran, Ni Xialian, affectionately known as the “table-tennis grandma,” dropped a bombshell during an earlier fan meeting online.
She revealed her belief that Wang actually has a girlfriend – and it is not Sun.
This revelation has sparked a broader conversation about the nature of fan engagement. Some netizens are now cautioning against overenthusiastic speculation, warning that such intense fan imagination could potentially have adverse effects on the athletes themselves.
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Paris Olympics: fans see China’s table tennis champs Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin as ‘couple’

A photo showing Wang Chuqin (left) and Sun Yingsha hugging after matches with the caption “I will protect the one I love” has received more than 1,000 likes.   Photo: AP

Fans have created a narrative between Wang (left) and Sun that goes beyond their playing partnership. Photo: AP

Wang and Sun after their mixed-doubles win over North Korea’s Kim Kum-yong and Ri Jong-sik. Photo: AP

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Wang Chunqin competes against Jang Woojin of South Korea during the men’s team quarter-final. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Wang Chuqin (left) and Sun Yingsha won mixed doubles gold at the Paris Olympics. Photo: AP

China in Weibo crackdown after Sun Yingsha fans attack Chen Meng for winning Olympic gold

Chinese fans display signs backing Sun Yingsha during the table tennis women’s singles final. Photo: Reuters

Gold medallist Chen Meng (right) and silver medallist Sun Yingsha stand on the podium. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese fans watch Sun Yingsha against Chen Meng in the women singles gold medal match. Photo: EPA-EFE

Paris Olympics: from youth to ‘aunties’, Chinese diaspora features strongly in table tennis

The USA’s Amy Wang (right) returns the ball to Germany’s Shan Xiaona as teammate Rachel Sung (centre) looks on in the Germans’ 3-2 win in their round of 16 match. Photo: AFP

Ni Xialian won world titles with China and now plays for Luxembourg after migrating in the 1980s. Photo: Xinhua

Zhiying Zeng retired almost 30 years ago before moving to Chile, where she took up the sport again. Photo: AP

Zhu Chengzhu was born in China and moved to Hong Kong, whom she plays for, in 2015. Photo: AFP

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South Korea’s table tennis coach Joo Sae-hyuk cannot hide his devastation at yet another loss to China.

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Wang Chuqin has been knocked out in the round of 32 in the men’s singles. Photo: Xinhua

Sweden’s Truls Moregard celebrates after beating China’s Wang Chuqin. Photo: AFP

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

Table Tennis

The Buzz

Their chemistry has sparked a social media phenomenon, with dedicated pages and sites fuelling the imaginations of their ardent followers


Their chemistry has sparked a social media phenomenon, with dedicated pages and sites fuelling the imaginations of their ardent followers.


ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation)