China's Shanxi table tennis club has paid a record 11.33 million yuan ($1.66m) to secure the services of women's world number four Guo Yan on a two-year loan deal, local media reported yesterday.

The 26-year-old, runner-up at the 2005 World Championships, was bought in an auction of players in Beijing in which six men and three women players went for a total of $5.49 million.

"We never expected such a high price," Liu Fengyan, head of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), said.

"We want to attract rich companies to our super league so it is good as it shows the value of the league."

Despite the increased popularity of basketball and football in recent years, table tennis remains China's national sport and the 10-team super league attracts nationwide television coverage.

The previous record fee for table tennis was the $733,900 neighbouring Shaanxi paid to win the services of Olympic men's singles champion Ma Lin for one year in 2006.

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