What Is 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup was a table tennis tournament held from April 6–8, 2018, in Yokohama, Japan, featuring 16 male and 16 female players from across Asia competing in singles events. The event was organized by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU) to determine continental champions.

Key Facts

The 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup took place from April 6 to 8, 2018.
It was hosted in Yokohama, Japan, at the Yokohama Buntai venue.
Sixteen male and sixteen female players competed in singles events.
Fang Bo won the men’s singles title, defeating Fan Zhendong in the final.
Sun Yingsha claimed the women’s singles title, defeating Feng Yalan.

Overview

The 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup was a premier table tennis competition that brought together the continent’s top-ranked players to compete in singles events. Held under the joint auspices of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and the Asian Table Tennis Union (ATTU), the tournament served as a key qualifier for international rankings and regional prestige.

Staged in Yokohama, Japan, the event featured a compact, high-intensity format with 16 male and 16 female athletes selected based on continental rankings and national representation. The competition emphasized elite performance and served as a precursor to larger global events such as the World Table Tennis Championships.

16 men and 16 women participated in the singles-only format, with qualification based on national federation nominations and ITTF rankings as of March 2018.
The tournament was held at the Yokohama Buntai venue, a historic arena with a seating capacity of approximately 7,000, known for hosting major table tennis events.
Competition spanned three days, from April 6 to April 8, 2018, with preliminary rounds on the first two days and medal matches on the final day.
Fang Bo of China won the men’s singles title, defeating compatriot Fan Zhendong 4–2 in a high-stakes final match.
Sun Yingsha, also from China, claimed the women’s title by defeating Feng Yalan 4–2, marking her emergence as a rising star in international table tennis.

How It Works

The ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup follows a structured format designed to identify the best singles players in Asia through a knockout-style competition with preliminary group stages. Players are seeded based on rankings, and progression depends on match outcomes within tightly scheduled rounds.

Qualification Criteria: Players are selected based on ITTF world rankings and regional representation, with a maximum of two entries per country. National federations nominate players by the deadline of March 1, 2018.
Tournament Format: The event uses a two-stage system: an initial group phase with four groups of four players, followed by a single-elimination bracket for the top two from each group.
Match Structure: Each match is played best-of-seven games, with each game won by the first to 11 points, requiring a two-point advantage for victory.
Seeding and Draws: The top eight players are seeded based on ITTF rankings as of March 2018, with draws conducted to prevent early matchups between top contenders.
Prize and Ranking Points: The winner earns 1,000 ITTF World Tour ranking points and a prize purse of $15,000, with decreasing rewards for lower placements.
Officiating and Equipment: Matches use official ITTF-sanctioned tables, balls (40+ plastic balls), and are overseen by certified referees and umpires from across Asia.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup with similar continental and global table tennis events:

<2017

Event	Year	Participants	Location	Format
2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup	2018	32 (16M, 16F)	Yokohama, Japan	Singles only
2017 World Table Tennis Championships	128 per gender	Düsseldorf, Germany	Singles, Doubles, Team
2018 ITTF World Cup	2018	20 men	Paris, France	Singles only
2016 Asian Games Table Tennis	2016	Over 150	Incheon, South Korea	Team, Singles, Doubles
2018 ITTF Asian Championships	2018	Over 200	Yokohama, Japan	Team, Singles, Doubles

While the Asian Cup is more exclusive than multi-event championships like the Asian Games, it shares prestige with the ITTF World Cup. Its limited participant count ensures high-level competition, distinguishing it from broader team-based tournaments.

Why It Matters

The 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup played a significant role in shaping the competitive landscape of Asian table tennis, influencing player development and national strategies. Its outcomes contributed to global rankings and provided momentum for athletes ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

China’s dominance was reaffirmed, with Chinese players winning both singles titles, highlighting the nation’s deep talent pool and training infrastructure.
The tournament served as a ranking booster, with winners earning 1,000 ITTF points, directly impacting Olympic qualification pathways.
Emerging stars like Sun Yingsha gained international recognition, helping to diversify China’s table tennis leadership beyond established names.
Hosting in Yokohama reinforced Japan’s rising status as a table tennis hub, especially with the 2020 Olympics approaching.
The event promoted commercial and media growth in Asia, with live broadcasts across 15 countries and partnerships with sponsors like Butterfly and Nittaku.
It emphasized continental unity through sports diplomacy, with participation from 12 Asian nations, including India, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei.

Overall, the 2018 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup was a pivotal event that combined elite athleticism with strategic importance, shaping careers and national programs across Asia.