OSAKA, Japan China's Wang Liqin staged a courageous comeback from two games down to defeat teammate Kong Linghui 3-2 in the World Table Tennis Championship men's singles final here on Sunday.

Top seed Wang beat second seed Kong 11-21, 11-21, 21-16, 21-13, 21-13.

The eventually dramatic match started disappointingly as world number one Wang made a series of unforced errors and slumped to a 0-2 deficit.

But the lanky 22-year-old gathered his game together and fought his way back into the match, gradually overcoming the reigning Olympic champion with a mixture of guts and guile.

It is a first world singles title for Wang, but a third gold medal at these championships to go with the team and men's doubles victories, AFP reported.

The outcome was further disappointment for Kong, nicknamed "King" Kong, who also had to settle for silver in the men's doubles at the hands of Wang and partner Yan Sen.

The final completed China's clean sweep of all seven titles at the championships.