Japan's Uematsu Toshiki (L) and Takahashi Noa compete during Mixed Doubles Final of Soft Tennis between Japan and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
HANGZHOU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Japan's duo Toshiki Uematsu and Noa Takahashi clinched the Asian Games soft tennis mixed doubles gold after defeating compatriots Riku Uchida and Tomomi Shimuta 5-3 here on Thursday.
The two pairs were tied 3-3 after the first six games, before Uematsu and Takahashi won the final two games to secure their victory.
"We told each other that whatever happened, in the end, a Japanese team would win, so we could relax and enjoy it," said Uematsu.
Uematsu also spearheaded Japan to win the men's team gold over Chinese Taipei on Wednesday. "It feels amazing. It has been a long day, a lot of matches, but it has been worth it to have two Asian Games golds," said Uematsu. ■
Japan's Uematsu Toshiki (R) and Takahashi Noa compete during Mixed Doubles Final of Soft Tennis between Japan and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Japan's Uchida Riku (R) and Shimuta Tomomi attend medal ceremony for the Mixed Doubles Final of Soft Tennis at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Japan's Uematsu Toshiki (R) and Takahashi Noa react after Mixed Doubles Final of Soft Tennis between Japan and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Japan's Uchida Riku (L) and Shimuta Tomomi compete during Mixed Doubles Final of Soft Tennis between Japan and Japan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
