China names Qin Zhijian chief coach for LA2028 cycle

The Chinese Table Tennis Association appointed Qin Zhijian as chief coach for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic cycle, with Xiao Zhan named deputy chief coach. The announcement, made Jan. 12, formalizes a leadership slate that combines proven winners with a largely retained coaching corps as China begins preparations for the next quadrennial.

Qin returns to a central leadership role after heading China’s men during the Tokyo cycle. Under his coaching China captured men’s singles and team gold at Tokyo 2020 and won multiple World Championship titles, including Budapest 2019, Houston 2021, and the team title at Chengdu 2022. The CTTA lists Qin as a vice-president and credits him with extensive high-performance coaching experience, placing him in overall charge of senior-team strategy and Olympic planning.

Xiao Zhan moves into the deputy chief coach role off the back of a strong mixed-doubles resume. Xiao led the mixed-doubles group during the Paris 2024 cycle and helped oversee success at the 2023 world championships and the 2025 worlds in Doha. His promotion signals sustained emphasis on mixed-doubles tactics and pairing strategies heading into LA2028.

The CTTA also confirmed that Wang Hao and Ma Lin will continue as head coaches of the men’s and women’s teams respectively. In total, 16 coaches from the previous cycle were retained and the association named roughly 20 additional coaches for senior and developmental duties. Head coaches for junior teams were confirmed as part of the broader staff roll call, reflecting a coordinated pipeline from youth programs to the senior squad.

For clubs, coaches, and competitive players the appointments matter in practical ways. Expect continuity in selection criteria and training priorities that favored consistency in the last cycle, but with tactical tweaks reflecting Qin’s and Xiao’s specialties. Training camps, national trials, and youth development schedules are likely to reflect the combined priorities of heavy matchplay simulation, technical refinement in serves and receive, and mixed-doubles pairing work. Local coaches should watch national camp invitations and selection announcements more closely, as retained staff will favor athletes already integrated into national programs while also scouting junior talent for the LA2028 buildup.

The takeaway? This is a steady hand move: experienced leaders at the top and familiar faces throughout the staff keep China’s machine humming. Our two cents? Keep sharpening your serve and footwork, enter more matchplay opportunities, and follow national camp notices if you aim to move from provincial circuits into the national conversation.