The high-energy table tennis matches at the Chengdu Universiade reached a sensational peak on Tuesday. China’s representation, both in the women’s and men’s divisions, faced fierce competition against Japan and Chinese Taipei, respectively. Nevertheless, their unyielding spirit and skillful play ensured they clinched the event’s first two gold medals.
In a nail-biting women’s team final, Team China faced a formidable challenge from the Japanese side. The audience was on the edge of their seats during the gripping five-round battle. After trailing by a set, China displayed exceptional tenacity and skill, coming from behind to secure a thrilling 3:2 victory. This intense face-off culminated in China earning the event’s inaugural table tennis gold medal.
During the subsequent press conference, Chinese player He Zhuojia reflected on the hard-earned win. While speaking to the Global Times, she emphasized that the victory was a result of the team’s combined efforts. Given the intensity of the competition, Japan’s team had fielded some of its brightest young talent. Among them were Kyoka Idesawa and Kimura Kasumi, both of whom have been a part of the Tokyo Olympics tryouts, with Kimura also having experience in the Japan League. These players had previously made quick work of Team Hong Kong in the semifinals, besting them with a 3:0 scoreline. However, against China, they found a challenging adversary. Zang Yuying, the coach of China’s women’s team, praised her players. She highlighted He Zhuojia’s agility, Qian Tianyi’s consistency, and Wang Xiaotong’s power play as the driving forces that galvanized their performance.
The men’s team final was another electrifying affair, with China going up against Chinese Taipei. Both teams showcased exemplary athleticism, exchanging high-octane rallies that ignited the spectators’ enthusiasm. In the end, China cemented their dominance with a commanding 3:0 victory. Post-match, Chinese player Xue Fei commended both his and Li Xinyang’s performance. He specifically recalled a tense second set, where the scoreline reached 16:18, a testament to the evenly matched skills of both players. Li acknowledged the match’s learning value and the excitement it brought to the fans.
Both teams, China and Chinese Taipei, had faced their share of challenges en route to the finals. Team China had faced fierce competition from Japan in the semifinals but triumphed with a 3:1 win. Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei had staged an exhilarating comeback against Germany, turning a 0:1 and 1:2 deficit into a 3:2 victory.
For Chinese Taipei’s Yang Ziyi, the experience of playing at the Universiade in Chengdu was unique. The echoing cheers from the expansive audience made the event memorable. The Chengdu FISU Games are distinctive, comprising seven diverse table tennis events. Unlike traditional tournaments organized by the World Table Tennis (WTT) association, this Universiade presents a different set of challenges and pressures. As the competition progresses, Coach Zang has set his eyes on the upcoming individual events, hoping his team continues its momentum and brings more laurels to China.
READ MORE: