Thitaphat Preechayan during a game in 2026. Photo by ITTF

The shocking result occurred during the men's team quarterfinals on Sept. 22. While powerhouse China ultimately defeated Thailand 3-1, dropping a match in the team event is considered highly unusual for a nation that has historically dominated the sport.

In the first match of the tie, world number one Wang Chuqin easily dispatched Thai veteran Sanguansin Phakpoom with a 3-0 victory.

However, the second match ended with a shocking upset. Currently ranked sixth globally, Lin secured the first game comfortably at 11-4. Preechayan quickly responded, taking the second game 11-8 to create an intense, back-and-forth contest.

In the deciding game, the 16-year-old Thai student came out on top and won 11-7 to hand the Chinese superstar a 3-2 defeat.

Fortunately for Lin, his teammates managed to salvage the tie. Xiang Peng won the third match, and Wang returned to the table to face Preechayan in the fourth rubber. Wang delivered a swift 3-0 victory over the teenager, sealing the overall 3-1 win for China and securing their advancement.

Despite his nation's defeat, Preechayan sent shockwaves through the table tennis world by beating an elite opponent and a clear favorite. Although Lin has experienced inconsistent form in recent years, he remains China's second-ranked player.

Nicknamed "Norton," Preechayan was born in Bangkok in 2010. The right-handed player began playing table tennis at the age of seven and demonstrated great potential early on. To support his development, his family chose to homeschool him between the ages of seven and 12 before he transitioned back to a traditional school.

Preechayan enjoyed a breakout year in 2025, securing multiple international youth titles. His accolades include winning the U15 Boys' Singles championships at the WTT Youth Contender events in San Francisco and Vientiane.

He also captured the U15 Boys' Doubles title at the WTT Youth Star Contender in Bangkok and earned a silver medal in the boys' doubles event while representing Thailand at the 2025 SEA Games.