China claims 5th straight women's title at table tennis team worlds

Sun Yingsha, Chen Meng, coach Li Sun, Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi and Chen Xingtong (L to R) of China pose with trophy during the awarding ceremony at the 2022 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Oct. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

China won its fifth straight women's teams title, and 22nd overall, at the World Team Table Tennis Championships after sweeping Japan 3-0 in the final.

CHENGDU, China, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- China won its fifth consecutive women's team title after sweeping Japan 3-0 at the World Team Table Tennis Championships here on Saturday.

It was also a record-extending 22nd time for China to have lifted the Corbillon Cup in history.

In the two sides' fourth straight head-to-head in the final dating back to 2014, China enjoyed a wire-to-wire victory, as Olympic champion Chen Meng put the hosts ahead with an 11-6, 11-8, 11-8 win over Miyuu Kihara.

"We made a lot of preparation for the final, and our tactics laid out by the coach were fully reflected today," said Chen. "The fans' cheering gave me much motivation."

Chen Meng of China celebrates scoring against Miyuu Kihara of Japan during the women's teams final match. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

Reigning world champion Wang Manyu doubled China's lead after getting past Japanese ace Mima Ito 11-9, 9-11, 12-10, 11-5.

World No. 1 Sun Yingsha closed out China's title defense with an 11-7, 11-7, 11-8 victory over Miyu Nagasaki.

"I'm very happy because we have won the title here in China," commented Sun.

Germany and Chinese Taipei finished with bronze medals in the event in Chengdu.

Ma Long of China celebrates scoring against Mizuki Oikawa of Japan during their men's teams semifinal match. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

China had to go through a five-set thriller before edging Japan 3-2 in the men's semifinals. They will vie for the title against Germany, who beat South Korea 3-2 in the other semifinal.

"Both China and Germany experienced tight games today," said Chinese team captain Ma Long. "Our opponents in the final are young and powerful, and we'll be ready for a tough battle."