Pathirage wins Asian Games gold as Yashvir, Rohit ensure double podium finish

Hong Kong athletes Doo Hoi-kem and Pedrey Ng secured their country's only table tennis medal at the Asian Games on Monday, winning the silver medal in women's doubles. The duo, representing the Special Administrative Region (SAR), advanced from the semifinals but fell short against Japan's Hina Hayata and Miwa Harimoto, the top-ranked women's doubles team in the world.

During the match, Doo and Ng led 4-0, but Japan rebounded to win the next three games, 11-6, 11-5, and 11-4, ultimately clinching the match 11-6. As the Asian Games tournament does not include a third-place playoff, Ng and Doo shared the bronze medal with Thailand's pair, who lost in the other semifinal.

Following the victory, Ng expressed her delight in a TV interview, crediting her family's attendance in Japan for adding to her happiness. She mentioned that winning the medal was a surprise, especially since it was her first time competing at the Asian Games. Ng also shared that the pressure she felt before the competition motivated her and her teammates to win the bronze.

Doo, a veteran of the SAR table tennis team, highlighted the strong friendship between her and Ng as a contributing factor to their success in doubles play. The pair found comfort in being able to discuss various topics, especially related to table tennis, while competing together.