Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha (R) celebrate after winning the mixed doubles final against Harimoto Tomokazu and Hayata Hina of Japan at 2023 ITTF Table Tennis World Championships Finals in Durban, South Africa, May 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)
Chinese paddlers Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha retained their World Table Tennis Championship mixed doubles title, beating Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata of Japan in final.
DURBAN, South Africa, May 26 (Xinhua) -- China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha retained their mixed doubles title at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) Finals here on Friday.
In a repeat of the tournament's final in Houston two years ago, the top-ranked Chinese pair overwhelmed world No. 2 Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata of Japan 11-6, 11-2 and 11-7.
It was also China's third straight mixed doubles title at the table tennis worlds since Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen won in Budapest in 2019.
Wang and Sun (top) in action during the mixed doubles final. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Wang and Sun broke open a 6-6 tie early with five points in a row to move one game ahead.
The Chinese duo showed no signs of slowing down in the second game on their way to a lopsided victory.
Trailing 3-4 in the third game, Harimoto and Hayata called a timeout, but the tactic did not work, as Wang and Sun became unplayable en route to lifting the Heydusek Cup once again.
"We had encountered some challenges in previous matches here, but today we encouraged each other on the court to win," commented Sun.
Sun (R) serves during the final. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)
Their biggest test came in Thursday's semifinal, where they edged out Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem of Hong Kong, China in full games.
"After our nail-biting win in the semifinal, we made quick adjustments and had better communication. I think we built better chemistry today," said Wang.
Reflecting on their progress over the past two years, Sun said, "He always said that I had developed more quickly than him, but he has made big progress as well over these two years, especially in the singles event, and he has become more mature."
First-placed Wang (4th L) and Sun (3rd L), second-placed Tomokazu (2nd L) and Hina (1st L) and third-placed Lin Shidong (4th R) and Kuai Man (3rd R), and Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem attend the awarding ceremony. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
"We have attached great importance to the mixed doubles and trained a lot in this event, so winning this title is huge recognition for both of us," the women's singles world No. 1 added.
"Hopefully we can be better in the next two years," Wang noted.
China's young pair of Lin Shidong and Kuai Man shared the bronze medal with Wong and Doo. ■
