Debuting in 1980 in Hong Kong, China, the ITTF Men’s World Cup marked a significant opportunity to promote table tennis to a wider audience, recognised by Roy Evans, the President of the International Table Tennis Federation at the time.
“A major ITTF event, involving players from every continent, has been seen on television all over the world, projecting the highest level of our sport.”
Guo Yuehua won the inaugural event, triumphing in an all-Chinese final against his teammate Li Zhenshi. The total prize fund amounted to US$36,500, with Guo Yuehua receiving US$12,000 for his victory, while Li Zhenshi received US$5,000.
Fast forward to 2024, and the prize fund has grown significantly, reaching US$1,000,000 across both the Men’s and Women’s events. The winner of the World Cup will now receive US$55,000, with the runner-up earning US$35,000.
The ITTF Women’s World Cup was later launched in 1996 in Hong…
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