China women paddlers beat Japan for 4th consecutive Olympic table tennis team gold

Chen Meng (L), Sun Yingsha (C) and Wang Manyu of China celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the table tennis women's team event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

China's women table tennis won its fourth consecutive Olympic title by crushing Japan 3-0 in the team event on Thursady.

TOKYO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's women table tennis squad outclassed their arch-rivals Japan 3-0 to win the Olympic title for the fourth straight time at Tokyo 2020 here on Thursday.

The victory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium has extended China's record against Japan to 16 straight wins, and made the all-time leading outfit the only one with a title-winning feat since the team event was introduced to the Olympic program in 2008.

This silver is also the third Olympic medal for the Japanese women's team, after silver in 2012 and bronze in 2016.

Chen Meng and Wang Manyu gave China a morale-boosting start in the doubles match, rallying past Kasumi Ishikawa and Miu Hirano 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7.

Chen Meng (L) and Wang Manyu of China compete during the table tennis women's team gold medal match between China and Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Despite losing an intense first set, Chen and Wang regained their momentum from there, largely thanks to their precision in long rallies and better connection.

"Our opponents gave us a lot of pressure at the start. We made full preparation for it, but came into this match a little bit slow," admitted Wang. "After the score was tied at 8-all in the third set and we took this one, it was quite crucial to our win as we gained momentum from there."

In a repeat of the women's singles semifinals, China's Sun Yingsha once again emerged the winner against Mima Ito in a much-awaited clash between the two hopefuls 11-8, 11-5, 3-11, 11-3.

"I prepared well for the challenges when taking on Ito again. I felt she had a better mindset today, and was always trying to change her tactics," said Sun.

Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the table tennis women's team gold medal match between China and Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Wang, in place of reigning world champion Liu Shiwen before the team event kicked off, stepped on the court again in the third match, before whitewashing Hirano 11-5, 11-9, 11-3.

"After the doubles match, I felt that my momentum was there. Coming into the singles match, I just wanted to enjoy it," recalled Wang.

Wang Manyu of China celebrates during the table tennis women's team gold medal match between China and Japan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Aug. 5, 2021. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Earlier in the day, China's Hong Kong claimed a bronze medal after upsetting Germany 3-1, its first Olympic medal in the team event.