After eight days of action, the 23rd Seamaster Asian Table Tennis Championships came to a close at a Wuxi stadium, packed with cheering fans.

Throughout the week, 248 athletes from 27 countries competed to reach the top step of the podium, in a raucous atmosphere marking the immense popularity the sport has gained in China.

Held for the first time in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, the Asian Championships are a serious proving ground for table tennis’s toughest group – long dominated by the big three – China, Japan, and South Korea.

Despite not sweeping all gold at the tournament, China once again topped the medal tally with 13, six of which were gold from a total of seven available.

So why is China paddling way out in front of the rest of the world when it comes to table tennis?

China's love affair with table tennis first began after it was introduced by British army officers stationed in the country in 1901. Its popularity over time grew due to the sport's inclusivity, allowing it to be played by young and old, rich and poor. Table tennis, also known as Ping Pong or even whiff-whaff, has thrived because it can be played almost anywhere, from the school yard to railway platforms, table tennis tables can be seen all across the length and breadth of China.

For a time, table tennis was really the only major sport in China, with Chairman Mao even proclaiming it as the country's national sport.