In a thrilling showdown at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Chinese men's team secured their 24th title on Thursday by defeating Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the men's team final.
Wang Chuqin set the tone for the Chinese mainland team as he faced off against Kao Cheng-Jui in the opening match. The first game was a nail-biter, with both players neck and neck at 5-5 and again at 8-8. Wang, demonstrating poise under pressure, edged out an 11-9 victory to take the initial lead. He maintained his momentum, dominating the next two games 11-5 and 11-6, respectively, to secure the first point for his team.
The intensity escalated in the second match between Lin Shidong of the Chinese mainland and Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei. Lin Shidong took an early advantage, winning the first two games 11-7. However, Lin Yun-ju fought back fiercely, claiming the third game 11-8. The fourth game was a battle of wills, with Lin Shidong overcoming an early deficit to tie at 5-5, eventually clinching the game 12-10 and extending the Chinese mainland's overall lead to 2-0.
Liang Jingkun stepped up next for the Chinese mainland, facing Huang Yan-cheng. Liang started strong with a 6-0 lead, securing the first game 11-7. Huang responded by taking the second game 11-7, leveling the match. Although Liang dominated the third game 11-1, Huang staged an impressive comeback, winning the next two games 11-9 and 13-11, earning a point for Chinese Taipei and keeping their hopes alive.
In the fourth match, Wang Chuqin returned to the table against Lin Yun-ju. Wang faced a challenging start as Lin took the first two games 11-1 and 11-8. Refusing to concede, Wang rallied to win the third game 11-8 and survived a tense fourth game 12-10. In the decisive fifth game, Wang was unstoppable, launching a 7-0 run and closing out the game 11-4. His victory sealed the championship for the Chinese mainland team.
The triumph in Astana reinforces the Chinese mainland's dominance in Asian table tennis, marking their 24th title in the history of the championships. The team's performance showcased their resilience and skill, promising an exciting future for the sport in the region.
Reference(s):
China's men defeat Chinese Taipei at Asian Table Tennis Championships
cgtn.com
