Wang Chuqin (R) and Fan Zhendong of China react after Men's Singles Gold Medal Match of table tennis at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
China remains formidable on table tennis court while Iran produced the biggest surprise at Hangzhou Asian Games.
HANGZHOU, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Host China showcased its prowess in table tennis, securing six out of seven gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games, while paddlers from other countries and regions including South Korea, Japan, Iran, and India also made their mark on the field.
China's men's and women's teams effortlessly triumphed over all opponents with a 3-0 score to win two gold medals, maintaining China's unshakeable dominance in team events.
Wang Chuqin, the 23-year-old world No. 2, clinched four gold medals in the men's team, men's singles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles categories.
"The competition about who will go to the Paris Olympic Games are still fierce within Team China. Only the most powerful athletes can get a chance, so I must work harder," Wang said after he captured his first men's singles Asiad title.
Sun Yingsha of China competes during the women's singles final table tennis match between China and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
World No. 1 Sun Yingsha, garnered three gold medals in women's team, women's singles, and mixed doubles, but fell short in women's double with Wang Manyu during the quarterfinals.
"I undertook more responsibility in Team China. Perhaps I will play three or four events in one day, so we were trained to change the thoughts and methods in different events," 22-year-old Sun said after defeating Japan's Hina Hayata to claim her first women's singles Asiad title.
China's veteran Ma Long, who has competed in four Asian Games, led China to its eighth consecutive men's table tennis team title at Hangzhou Asian Games.
"Maybe this is the last time for me to be on the stage of Asian Games," he said, adding that he was satisfied with his performance.
Jeon Ji-hee (L) /Shin Yu-bin of South Korea celebrate after Women's Doubles Gold Medal Match of table tennis at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
South Korean duo Jeon Ji-hee and Shin Yu-bin secured the women's doubles title, marking South Korea's first in table tennis at the Asian Games since 2002.
Jeon and Shin triumphed over the DPR Korean pair Cha Su Yong and Pak Su Gyong in the final, and bested Japanese players Miwa Harimoto and Miyuu Kihara in the semifinals.
"This may be my last international-level competition. I want to express my gratitude to my partner; we have great cooperation," remarked Jeon.
Harimoto, 15, showcased her skills in Hangzhou, despite a 3-1 loss against world No. 3 Wang Manyu in the team event. She, together with Kihara, overcame Chinese pair Sun and Wang Manyu in women's doubles, bringing Japan a team silver and a doubles bronze in her Asian Games debut.
The Iranian men's team staged the biggest surprise of the campaign, dismantling second-seeded Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals, before Nima Alamian Darounkolaei and Noshad Alamiyan Darounkolaei stunned Japanese Taisei Matsushita and Mizuki Oikawa 3-0 in men's doubles quarterfinals to bag two bronzes.
Team Iran attend the awarding ceremony of the men's team table tennis match at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Indian women's duo Sutirtha Mukherjee and Ayhika Mukherjee beat Chinese pair Chen Meng and Wang Yidi to secure India's first women's doubles bronze medal in table tennis at Asiad.
"The Asian Games are a celebration of excellence in sports. Table tennis is truly thriving on this wonderful stage, and I want to extend my congratulations to the organizing committee and China for showcasing table tennis as a dynamic and thrilling sport that has captivated audiences. Together, we are committed to ensuring that table tennis continues to thrive in Asia and globally," Petra Sorling, president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), said about her Hangzhou visit. ■
