Gold medalists of team China celebrate during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
PARIS, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's women's table tennis team retained their Olympic title at Paris 2024 after overwhelming Japan 3-0 in the final on Saturday.
This victory not only secured China's 37th gold medal of these Games but also marked a historic milestone - the Chinese delegation's 300th gold in Summer Olympic history.
With its star trio of Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng and Wang Manyu, China triumphed after a sequence of one doubles and two singles matches against Japan's Hina Hayata, Miwa Harimoto and Miu Hirano, winning 3-2, 3-0, 3-1, respectively.
However, the victory for China was far from effortless, particularly in the opening doubles match where Chen and Wang faced a tough challenge against Hayata and Harimoto, and dropped the first game 11-9.
"The first doubles was crucial - it sets the tone and can boost morale for the following matches," Chen explained.
"We encountered significant difficulties, and our opponents performed beyond our expectations," Wang said.
"When we were behind, we never gave up. We trusted each other, believing that we can come through," Chen further said.
When the Chinese duo won that final point, Wang said she couldn't hold back tears. "It was an incredibly emotional moment."
Earlier in the day, South Korea beat Germany to take bronze.
The women's team gold is China's fifth consecutive Olympic title in this category since it was introduced at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"We were so united as a team, and it's an indescribable joy to claim the championship together," Wang said.
Having already secured gold in mixed doubles, men's and women's singles, and the men's team event, China has now swept all five table tennis golds at the Paris Olympics. ■
Gold medalists of team China pose during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Gold medalists of team China pose during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Gold medalists of team China attend the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Gold medalists of team China attend the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Gold medalists of team China celebrate during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Gold medalists of team China pose during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Gold medalists of team China gesture during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Gold medalists of team China celebrate during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Gold medalists of team China, silver medalists of team Japan and bronze medalists of team South Korea pose during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Gold medalists of team China react during the victory ceremony for women's team of table tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Team China wave to spectators after the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Team China celebrate after the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Team China wave to spectators after the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)
Chen Meng (L)/Wang Manyu of China compete against Hayata Hina/Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Chen Meng (R)/Wang Manyu (L) of China react while competing against Hayata Hina/Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Sun Yingsha of China reacts while competing against Hirano Miu of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Sun Yingsha of China competes against Hirano Miu of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Team China are seen prior to the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Chen Meng (R top)/Wang Manyu (L) of China compete against Hayata Hina/Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Chen Meng (R top)/Wang Manyu (L top) of China react while competing against Hayata Hina/Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Chen Meng (L)/Wang Manyu of China react while competing against Hayata Hina/Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Chen Meng (L top)/Wang Manyu (R top) of China react while competing against Hayata Hina/Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Team China are seen prior to the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
Sun Yingsha of China reacts while competing against Hirano Miu of Japan during the women's team gold medal match of table tennis between China and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on Aug. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)
