Ma Long

Ma Long, born on October 20, 1988, in Anshan, China, is widely considered the greatest table tennis player in history. With a career spanning over two decades, he has dominated the sport with an unmatched combination of skill, consistency, and mental fortitude. His list of achievements is staggering: he is a two-time Olympic singles champion, a three-time World Champion, and a three-time World Cup winner. In 2016 and 2020, he became the only male player to complete a career double Grand Slam, winning Olympic gold in men's singles both times. He also holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals by any table tennis player, with six, and the most by any Chinese athlete. His reign at world number one lasted a record 64 months, including 34 consecutive months from March 2015. The International Table Tennis Federation nicknamed him "The Dictator" and "The Dragon," the latter derived from his name, Lóng, which corresponds to the zodiac year of his birth.[edit]

Ma Long's fanbase may not carry a formal name, but it is a global, devoted following that treats his every match as a celebration of table tennis history. They are the kind of fans who can recite his trophy cabinet from memory, six Olympic golds, three World titles, three World Cups, and who still debate which of his comebacks was the most miraculous. There is no single fan club or organized campaign that defines them; instead, they gather in arenas and online forums, united by a shared reverence for the sport's greatest living player.

That reverence has only grown as his legend has expanded. In July 2026, the reunion of the 'Long Mang' duo, Ma Long and Zhang Jike, at the doubles-only national championships reignited a fever that had been dormant for years. Fans who had grown up watching them dominate together flooded social media, and even Deng Yaping, a titan of the sport, publicly praised the pair after their national title win. Moments like these remind everyone why Ma Long's career feels like a continuous highlight reel.

His standing in the wider world reflects that devotion. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Ma Long is currently the 51st most famous person from China, holding steady from the previous cycle. In his sport's broader arena, he is the 52nd most famous person in Olympic Sports, also unchanged. These placements put him in rarefied company, not just among athletes, but among all public figures.[edit]

Ma Long's legend is built on a statistical dominance that few have ever matched, including a 34-month streak at world number one. Fans often refer to him as "The Dragon" or affectionately use the nickname "Long Mang" when discussing his legendary doubles partnership with Xu Xin. A recurring narrative in his lore is his success in London, where he has explicitly stated it is a "lucky place" for him, a phrase that has become a personal mantra and a point of discussion among supporters. This belief was reinforced by viral moments like the time he was struck by a ball during a final, an incident that sparked intense debate online and remains a memorable talking point. According to recent accounts, he sealed his career set by winning the men's team title at the 15th National Games in Beijing in November 2025, completing a collection of major titles that defines his era. His influence extends globally, with rising stars in India citing him as a primary inspiration. In August 2026, he was ranked the 51st most famous person from China (holding steady from the previous cycle) and the 53rd most famous person in Olympic Sports (down from 52nd last cycle) within the iFANN Global Fame Rankings.[edit]