In a nail-biting showdown at the 15th National Games of China men's team table tennis qualifiers, Liaoning rallied from a two-match deficit to edge Guangdong 3-2 on Saturday in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. The match highlighted strategic resilience and veteran prowess in a sport deeply cherished across Asia.
Guangdong initially dominated, with Lin Gaoyuan and Li Yijie securing a tense 3-2 doubles win against Xu Haidong and Yuan Licen. Lin extended the lead to 2-0 by defeating Yuan 3-1 in singles. However, 45-year-old Hou Yingchao, a seasoned player for Liaoning, turned the tide with back-to-back victories over Zhou Qihao (3-2) and Li Yijie (3-1), leveling the score. Xu Haidong sealed the comeback with a decisive 3-0 sweep against Zhou in the final singles match.
In another highlight, Hebei's debutant Liang Jingkun led his team to a 3-0 victory over Gansu. Liang and Zhou Yu dominated doubles play 3-0, while Liang Yanning and Zhou Yu secured decisive singles wins, showcasing rising talent in Chinese table tennis.
The games underscore the competitive spirit of China's National Games, a platform for athletes to shine ahead of November's main event. For global sports enthusiasts and investors tracking Asia's athletic talent pool, such qualifiers offer insights into emerging stars and regional sports development strategies.
