Beijing Olympics - Gold for Chinese Women's Team
First published on Sunday, August 17, 2008
Last updated on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Under the eyes of China’s President HU Jintao and IOC President Jacques ROGGE, the Chinese women’s team overcame Singapore in the final of the Women’s Team event. It was the first table tennis team event at Olympic Games. The Chinese serial winner took another gold medal but the incredible frame in the venue at Peking University Gymnasium made this title something special.
Rematch from Guangzhou Underlines China’s Dominance
The squad from coach SHI Zhihao played in the final against Singapore. It was the rematch of the final at the Evergrande World Table Tennis Championships staged in Guangzhou, China on 1st March 2008.
The Chinese team consisting of ZHANG Yining, world number one, GUO Yue (no. 2) and WANG Nan (no. 5) prevailed sovereign against LI Jia Wei (no. 6), WANG Yue Gu (no. 7), FENG Tianwei (no. 9).
WANG Nan as well as ZHANG Yining started nervously and lost the first games of their matches against FENG Tianwei and LI Jia Wei respectively. Both, WANG and ZHANG were able to change the gear and FENG’s as well as LI’s resistance was useless.
An Impressive Chinese Generation
The third point for China and the final decision in favour of the hosts made ZHANG Yining and GUO Yue in the doubles. For the 26 year old ZHANG Yining it is already the third gold medal at her second Olympic participation. Never in her life so far has she contested an Olympic event without winning gold.
WANG Nan’s Olympic gold medal collection newly consists of four and therewith she equalises China’s legend DENG Yaping. GUO Yue is only twenty years of age. However, her record is impressive. She is reigning world singles and world team champion and now also Olympic team champion.
Source: ITTF
Image: China's President Hu Jintao (right) and IOC President Jacques Rogge applauding for China's women. (courtesy of ITTF)
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