Team Japan and team China attend the awarding ceremony after the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
ASTANA, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Japan defeated defending champions China 3-1 to claim the women's team title at the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Sun Yingsha, Wang Yidi, and Chen Xingtong powered China to a 3-0 win against Hong Kong, China, while Japan overpowered India 3-1 to make the final.
China dispatched the same line-up for the final. With a busy schedule shifting from the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash, which concluded on Sunday, the Chinese paddlers were not in their prime condition.
China was dealt a blow early in the title showdown as Wang fell to Miwa Harimoto in full games. Although Sun leveled the score with a 3-0 victory over Mima Ito, China was once again in an inferior position after Chen, who had replaced Wang Manyu in the roster ahead of the tournament, lost 3-1 to Miu Hirano.
Harimoto became a major contributor to Japan's victory as the 16-year-old edged Sun 3-2 in the fourth match.
The men's team semifinals and final will be held on Thursday, as China will compete with South Korea for a final spot.
Also on Wednesday, two Chinese pairs, Lin Gaoyuan/Wang Yidi and Lin Shidong/Kuai Man, reached the mixed doubles last 16 with straight-game victories.
Running from Monday to Sunday, the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, feature a total of seven events, namely men's and women's team, singles and doubles events and mixed doubles event. ■
Team China attend the awarding ceremony after the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Team Japan attend the awarding ceremony after the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Harimoto Miwa of Japan hits a return to Sun Yingsha of China during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Sun Yingsha of China celebrates for a point against Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Sun Yingsha (R) of China competes against Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Chen Xingtong of China competes against Hirano Miu of Japan during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Ito Mima of Japan hits a return to Sun Yingsha of China during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Hirano Miu of Japan hits a return to Chen Xingtong of China during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Team Japan attend the awarding ceremony after the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Team China attend the awarding ceremony after the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Harimoto Miwa of Japan hits a return to Sun Yingsha of China during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Sun Yingsha (R) of China communicates with head coach Ma Lin during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Wang Yidi of China hits a return to Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Sun Yingsha of China hits a return to Harimoto Miwa of Japan during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
Sun Yingsha (R) of China competes against Ito Mima of Japan during the women's teams final match between China and Japan at the 27th ITTF-Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct. 9, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)
