The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) shared a post on Instagram showing Chinese player Lin Shidong celebrating on top of the table after securing the championship point in the men’s team final at the World Table Tennis Championships in London. China defeated Japan 3-0 on October 10 (Japan time), clinching the gold medal and the Swaythling Cup. The ITTF captioned the post, “What does it mean for Lin Shidong to claim the championship point that sealed the gold medal and the Swaythling Cup?”

The post drew a mix of reactions. Some comments praised Lin, saying “Well done,” “I’ve liked him since I first saw him five years ago,” and “Congratulations to the Chinese team.” However, others criticized his actions, drawing parallels to a similar incident the day before. On October 9, Romanian players stood on the table after their women’s quarterfinal victory, sparking widespread backlash.

Comments regarding Lin’s behavior included, “No matter how happy you are, standing on the table is not okay. That’s worthy of a red card,” “The moment Lin Shidong stood on the table, I got so annoyed I turned off the TV,” and “Lin Shidong stepped on the table, but since it’s the end of the tournament and he’s alone, maybe it’s barely acceptable? Or is it?” The controversy highlights ongoing debates about sportsmanship and respect for equipment in table tennis.