In 1914, in World War I, the Russians under Renenkampf and Samsonov were heavily out-maneuvered by the Germans under Hindenburg and Ludendorff at the battle of Tannenberg.

CNN: Wednesday,

Samsonov's career peaked at a time when the world's best players were European, but now that the Chinese have regained the ascendancy the game is more popular and, paradoxically, top Europeans are even bigger stars in China.

WSJ: Four Chinese Table-Tennis Stars Expanding Sport's Popularity