Dominant China wary of hosts Japan in Asiad table tennis competition
NAGOYA: China’s table tennis team are wary of the threat presented by hosts Japan at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as the sport’s superpower looks to bring on younger talent with an eye on the 2028 Olympics.
Nagoya: The Chinese table tennis team is cautious about the challenge posed by their Japanese hosts at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The country's table tennis stars, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu and Wang Chuqin, will spearhead China's efforts, targeting Olympic gold before the 2028 Games. However, the 10-strong squad also comprises seven new players. China has dominated the sport at the Asian Games since 1974, securing all gold medals in 1978, 2010 and 2018.
South Korean duo Jeon Ji-hee and Shin Yu-bin thwarted China's sweep in women's doubles at the 2019 Games in Hangzhou, but head coach Ma Lin is more focused on Japan's potential threat. "We have studied their playing styles and understand what we face," Ma told Xinhua news agency before the team's departure to Japan. "We must stay alert, approach every point with seriousness and maintain rigorous training standards."
The rivalry between China and Japan in women's table tennis has intensified since clinching close team finals at the last two World Table Tennis Championships. Sun Yingsha led China to comebacks in both victories and recently ceded the world number one spot to teammate Wang Manyu. Japanese teenager Miwa Harimoto, ranked third, now tops the rankings in women's doubles alongside her partner, Hina Hayata.
The duo's strong performance in doubles, combined with the skills of South Korean mixed doubles champions Shin and Lim Jong-hoon, poses a significant challenge to China's dominance.
Despite the formidable opposition, Ma Lin remains optimistic about China's chances. "We will fight for every gold medal," the former men's world number one stated confidently. "The path ahead is challenging, but we have unwavering confidence. Whatever obstacles arise, we will strive to overcome them and secure victory." The men's team, less experienced with Wang Chuqin being the only one who has competed in previous Asian Games, will face tougher competition.
While South Korean teenagers Sora Matsushima and Tomokazu Harimoto rank third and fourth in men's singles, Ma Lin believes the combination of experienced Olympic champions and passionate young talent will prove advantageous.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
