Title: Chinese Team Dominates Asian Table Tennis Championships with Three Championships and One Runner-Up in a Single Day
Xinhua News Agency, Pyeongchang, South Korea, September 9 (Reporters Lu Rui and Sun Yiran) The Chinese team showcased their dominance at the 2023 Asian Table Tennis Championships on the 9th by securing three championships and one runner-up position. Wang Manyu clinched the women’s singles championship, while Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Yidi triumphed in the mixed doubles category. In men’s doubles, Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan emerged victorious, while Ma Long and Wang Chuqin finished as runners-up.
All three finals of the day witnessed “intra-team games” with participation exclusively from the Chinese team. In the women’s singles event, Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu advanced to the final after defeating their teammates Chen Xingtong and Wang Yidi in the semi-finals.
During the final match, Sun Yingsha claimed an early lead with a 12-10 win in the first game. However, Wang Manyu made a stunning comeback, securing two consecutive victories. In the fourth game, Sun Yingsha displayed her resilience to equalize the score at 11-5. The fifth game witnessed a scintillating performance from Wang Manyu, who emerged victorious with an 11-5 score.
In a post-match interview with Xinhua News Agency reporters, Wang Manyu expressed her joy, saying, “Each round of this competition featured formidable opponents, so I always remind myself to stay focused and give my best in every game. Winning the championship brings me great happiness. This victory is vital for boosting my confidence and achieving personal growth.”
Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Yidi faced off against Liang Jingkun and Qian Tianyi in the mixed doubles final. Liang Jingkun and Qian Tianyi seized the initiative with an 11-4 win in the first game. However, Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Yidi swiftly turned the tide in their favor, launching an aggressive offensive. Their opponents made mistakes, allowing Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Yidi to triumph with three consecutive wins: 11-8, 11-9, and 11-8, completing a remarkable comeback and securing the championship.
The men’s doubles final witnessed a gripping battle between Ma Long/Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong/Lin Gaoyuan. The first game resulted in a fierce contest, with Fan Zhendong/Lin Gaoyuan taking a 9-9 tiebreaker and ultimately winning 11-9. In the second game, Ma Long/Wang Chuqin outperformed their opponents, equalizing the score with an 11-4 victory. The subsequent games were tightly contested, leading to a nail-biting fifth game. At a crucial juncture, Fan Zhendong/Lin Gaoyuan showcased great stability, earning an 11-8 win to secure the championship.
The 2023 Asian Table Tennis Championships will conclude on the 10th, with the men’s singles and women’s doubles champions set to be determined on that day.