In a display of dominance, China’s men’s table tennis team clinched their 24th title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships, overcoming Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the men’s team final held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Thursday.
The opening match saw Wang Chuqin of China face off against Kao Cheng-Jui. The first game was tightly contested, with both players drawing level at 5-5 and 8-8. Demonstrating poise under pressure, Wang secured the game 11-9, seizing a 1-0 lead in the match. The World No. 1 continued his aggressive play, taking the next two games 11-5 and 11-6, giving China an early advantage.
In the second match, Lin Shidong represented China against Lin Yun-ju from Chinese Taipei. Lin Shidong dominated the early stages, winning the first two games 11-7. However, Lin Yun-ju fought back, claiming the third game 11-8. The fourth game was a thrilling contest, with Lin Shidong overcoming an initial 0-3 deficit to edge out his opponent 12-10, extending China’s overall lead to 2-0.
Liang Jingkun took the stage next for China, competing against Huang Yan-cheng. Liang started strong with a 6-0 lead, converting it into an 11-7 win in the first game. Huang responded by taking the second game 11-7, tying the match. Although Liang regained momentum with an 11-1 victory in the third game, Huang staged a remarkable comeback, winning the next two games 11-9 and 13-11, keeping Chinese Taipei’s hopes alive.
The fourth and deciding match featured a showdown between Wang Chuqin and Lin Yun-ju. Wang faced an early setback as Lin captured the first two games 11-1 and 11-8. Undeterred, Wang mounted a fierce comeback, winning the third game 11-8 and narrowly taking the fourth 12-10 after a heated exchange. In the decisive fifth game, Wang was unstoppable, starting with a 7-0 run and closing out the game 11-4, securing the championship for China.
China’s victory at the Asian Table Tennis Championships reaffirms their position as a powerhouse in the sport, with the team showcasing resilience and skill throughout the tournament.
Reference(s):
China's men defeat Chinese Taipei at Asian Table Tennis Championships
cgtn.com
