Chinese women's table tennis team wins 5th consecutive gold at Asian Games
- By Wang Yiming
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 28, 2023
Team China celebrates after the women's team finals table tennis match between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo/Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee]
China secured its first gold medal in the table tennis event at the Hangzhou Asian Games, defeating Japan 3-0 in the women's team title, marking their fifth consecutive victory in the Asian Games women's team competition since the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Sun Yingsha led the charge for China, defeating Japan's Hina Hayata by a score of 3-1. Chen Meng faced off against Miu Hirano of Japan in the second match. Despite initially trailing 1-2, Chen Meng made a remarkable comeback, winning the following two sets and securing a 3-2 victory.
In the third and final match, Wang Manyu, despite falling behind in the first set, rallied back and won three consecutive sets against Miwa Harimoto.
"I think everyone in the stands and all our fans would have seen top-quality play from both sides," said Ma Lin, head coach of China's women's team. "We showed the team spirit of the women's table, their unity and determination."
Chen Meng said, "This turned out to be an especially tough tie for us, and it's been a while since we were made to work this hard while playing Japan."
"We stuck together even when things were not going well. When I looked at the support and encouragement my teammates and coach gave me, I felt an extra boost," Chen said.
Chen also expressed her gratitude to everyone who supported them. She emphasized that their success was the result of a collective team effort.
"All of the matches were very close contests today. We've done all we could have, and I feel happy about that, although there is still some disappointment. From my experience, today's tie was the closest we've come to challenging China. That will leave us with precious experience," said Hina Hayata.
Sun Yingsha of China competing during the women's team finals table tennis match between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo/Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee]
Hina Hayata of Japan in action during the women's team finals table tennis match between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. [Photo/Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee]
