Abstract:
Based on the dual perspectives of historical evolution and cultural integration, this study systematically reconstructs the development trajectory of table tennis' status as China's "national sport" and decodes the core reasons for its maintaining a high-ranking advantage over seventy years. The study argues that the emergence of its status of "national sport" is the result of multiple historical factors. Externally, the historical context of the era includes the fluidity of the early competitive ecosystem in world table tennis, China's distinctive path during its period of isolation from international sports, and the strategic breakthrough of Ping-Pong Diplomacy. Internally, the core support lies in the fact that Chinese table tennis shouldered the mission of national rejuvenation, achieved a leap in competitive performance, accumulated practical experience, and, through hosting international tournaments, helped drive the rise of China's discourse power in table tennis. The heavy attention and support from successive Party and state leaders, strong team cohesion, inter-generational inheritance of the "national sport" spirit, the silent heroes behind the scenes, and technological and tactical innovations advancing with the times are the core reasons for the status as China's "national sport". The dedication of Chinese table tennis pioneered the early breakthroughs in Chinese competitive sports, deeply promoted the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through the power of sports, fully demonstrated the advantages of China's sport system, continuously forged a competitive sports team that leads the times.