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Ma Long @WTTC2026: Harimoto Tomokazu is the Best Non-CNT Player.
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Pretty sure he was making a joke about J-women being hard a$$es at home.
I think best non-Chinese player would be Truls by a very slight margin, going by last 12 months.
I see Harimoto, Truls, F. Lebrun, and more recently also Sora Matsushima, as all being in a similar range. I don't necessarily expect them to win a major event, but if they are in the draw I would expect all of them to be likely to reach quarterfinal and have a good chance to come up with a tournament W. I think you could make an argument for any of these 4 to be the 'best' non-Chinese player based on recent performances.
I see Harimoto, Truls, F. Lebrun, and more recently also Sora Matsushima, as all being in a similar range. I don't necessarily expect them to win a major event, but if they are in the draw I would expect all of them to be likely to reach quarterfinal and have a good chance to come up with a tournament W. I think you could make an argument for any of these 4 to be the 'best' non-Chinese player based on recent performances.
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Even with his occasional struggles, I would add LYJ to that list as well. That said, the Tiebans know table tennis and we don't and it seems Ma Long is on their side so...
Yeah I just rattled the names that spring to mind recently, but I think LYJ and Calderano probably also are in that same bracket of players you expect to go deep in a tournament bracket.
I would say any of those players could come up with a few deep runs at a major or even a win, and it puts them in the conversation for best recent player after WCQ. Matsushima seems to be in incredible form recently as well.
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Calderano is significantly older which is the main reason I didn't mention him. These are great times for table tennis, all these talents roughly 18-25 years old battling it out. Likely to continue for another 4 years at least.
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I can say, and most people might agree with me. I think WCQ is clear ahead. But behind, Tomo, Sora, and felix are at the same level. Nowadays with the number of tournament and league matches, it is harder than ever to be consistent on top tournament. Even WCQ lost some match, but when there is a championship or world cup, he does not lose. I think the 3 non chinese are really the best non chinese, and depend on the tournament, one can play better than the other two. I don't have recent match of Tomo in mind, but the level he putted on FZD at the Olympics, is definately top class. So does Sora on WCQ earlier this year or this US Smash, same for Felix. When they are at their peak performance, I think all 3 have same level, and the match can switch from one to the other.
