"In a Wheelchair, Then Popped Right Up"... Chinese Fans' Bizarre 'Seat-Holding Method' Draws Flak

At the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games table tennis venue, baffling behavior by some Chinese fans has been captured and is drawing controversy.

Citing a report by Singapore's The Straits Times, Japanese media outlet The Answer reported that "questions were raised over the behavior of some female Chinese fans who occupied wheelchair spaces during the men's singles table tennis final."

The controversial scene took place during the table tennis men's singles final held on September 28 at Sky Hall Toyota in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

World No. 8 Lin Shidong and world No. 1 Wang Chuqin faced off, with Lin Shidong decisively defeating Wang Chuqin 4-0 to claim the gold medal.

However, hard-to-understand incidents unfolded in the spectator stands.

The media explained that "some spectators in the wheelchair area appeared able to move freely," reporting that "one woman stood up from a wheelchair, walked a few meters, knelt down to take photos of Wang Chuqin, and two fans were even spotted taking turns using a wheelchair when going to the restroom to continually secure the popular spot."

While some spectators in the wheelchair zone declined to respond to interview requests, a 30-year-old woman who said she came from Beijing was reported to have stated, "I recently suffered a minor leg fracture, so I need to use a wheelchair."

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Ahn Jun-hyeok | Design by Sumin Lee | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.