This fall, top players from around the globe will meet in China, all on a not-so-secret mission to claim the World Cup. Representatives from every continent inhabited by humans (get it together, penguins!) will converge in the city of Chengdu for the 2019 ITTF World Cups. The Uncle Pop 2019 ITTF Women’s World Cup will run October 18-20, headlined by current world champion Liu Shiwen and her countrywoman Zhu Yuling. They will be joined in the field of 20 by Wu Yue (pictured) and Lily Zhang of the USA. The 2019 ITTF Men’s World Cup spans November 29 to December 1. Such greats as current world and Olympic champion Ma Long, defending World Cup holder Fan Zhendong and living legend Vladimir Samsonov will be in the mix with the United States' Kanak Jha. With such a loaded field playing for individual, national and continental pride, vying to claim one leg of the Grand Slam (World Championships, Olympics, World Cup), all entrants can expect a knock-down, drag-out brawl. Good luck to all! Oh, and keep practicing, penguins. 2020 could finally be your breakout year!

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