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Beijing Olympics: A Champion’s Story

Friday, August 22, 2008

The four top seeded players of the Women’s Singles event contested the semi-finals in the morning session on Friday 22nd August. LI Jia Wei the player from Singapore was the only semi-finalist who did not wear the Chinese shirt. However, she was not confused. She was born in China and arises from the prestigious club of the Peking University. With ZHANG Yining (CHN) and GUO Yue (CHN), two other players used to be in the same talent pool.

LI Jia Wei Resisted Well
“I won the first game because I was quick to take initiative, but the most crucial point was the third game”, explained LI Jia Wei (SIN), who played the first semi-final. “When I led 6-3 but didn’t maintain the lead. If I had won that game, I could have had a chance.”

But the reigning Olympic champion ZHANG Yining got back the command of the match and qualified for the second Olympic Singles final in a row. This time it would be against a colleague of the national team.

GUO Yue Has to Wait for Gold
In the second semi, WANG Nan (CHN) realised a match full of energy to exceed the youngest of the team, GUO Yue (CHN). GUO did not find the tactical solutions to reach the final. She played rather well but WANG Nan was visibly keener on entering the books of sport history with a victory obtained by four games to two.

“In the opening games, I played really well. WANG Nan used a fairly conservative strategy then, so I fought hard. The critical point of the match was the fourth game when we were tied 6-6. WANG Nan changed her strategy and became very aggressive”, said GUO, the reigning world singles champion after the match. WANG Nan (CHN), crowned at the Olympic Games in Sydney eight years ago, could challenge ZHANG Yining (CHN) in a pure Chinese final.

GUO Yue (CHN) on her part picked up her second Olympic medal in the week after the team gold. She overcame in the bronze medal match LI Jia Wei (SIN) in six games to ensure a 100% Chinese podium. “I’m very happy. It’s not easy to win this bronze. Even though I lost to Sister Nan (WANG Nan, CHN), this morning, I am still very happy to win this bronze because it’s the first time I participate in Women’s Singles.”

ZHANG Yining Follows DENG Yaping
By entering the field of play, WANG Nan and ZHANG Yining knew that the goal of the Chinese association was reached: picking up all three medals in the Singles competition. Both girls obviously had the will to win the match but with two very different objectives. For ZHANG to keep her title and equal DENG Yaping’s record of four Olympic gold medals; for WANG to put an attractive term in her tremendous career with two world Singles titles and five Olympic medals; a record in the table tennis history.

Both women showed a match on a very high level but the superiority of ZHANG came to light the longer the match lasted. With the team title and three medals in the Singles, China realised a full success. The “Dream Team” then rose onto the podium to intone the national anthem, well known in international table tennis venues…

ZHANG Yining (CHN): “I have sacrificed beyond what a person normal has. I would really like to thank my team. Every coach, every athlete has given me so much. Without them, I would not be standing here today. I am not satisfied with my technical side today, but I am satisfied with my mental strength. WANG Nan (CHN) has participated in three Olympic Games and is more experienced than me. But when I was behind, I did not panic.”

WANG Nan (CHN): “I really want to thank my husband for his support. He has walked along with me all this time. His heart is not very good, it has been a trail. I will retire after this Olympic Games. That’s why I did not try very hard to turn the match around (when I was behind). I just wanted to enjoy every ball I was playing. At this tournament, form my first match to the last match, I have demonstrated my best ever spirit.”

ITTF Press Release

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Beijing Olympics: A Champion’s Story

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