China's dynamic duo, Lin Shidong and Kuai Man, staged a remarkable comeback to clinch the mixed doubles title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Saturday. They overcame the formidable pair from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong, with a hard-fought victory of 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 15-13.
Ri and Kim had made a significant impact in the tournament by knocking out Japanese favorites Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata, and challenging Chinese gold medalists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in August. Their impressive performance continued in Astana, where they defeated Paris 2024 bronze medalists Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin of South Korea in the semifinals.
In the final, the DPRK duo started strong, leading 10-6 in the first game. Lin and Kuai exhibited resilience, narrowing the gap to one point but ultimately falling 9-11. The second game saw both sides exchanging leads, with the Chinese pair leveling the match at 1-1 after securing a 12-10 win thanks to a fortunate bounce.
The momentum shifted in favor of Lin and Kuai as they maintained their composure and strategic play, winning the third game 11-9. The fourth game was a nail-biter, with both pairs displaying exceptional skill. Ultimately, Lin and Kuai emerged victorious with a 15-13 win, sealing their triumph in the match.
This victory marks China's second title at the continental competition, highlighting the nation's continued dominance in table tennis. The dynamic performance of Lin and Kuai not only showcases their personal prowess but also reflects China's strength in nurturing world-class table tennis talent.
Reference(s):
China win mixed doubles title at Asian Table Tennis Championships
cgtn.com
