Olympic Games | 9 Aug 2024
Germany and Korea Republic will Battle for Bronze
Thursday's action at South Paris Arena 4 has set up a thrilling Gold Medal match in the Women's Team event for Saturday at Paris 2024. Just like in Tokyo 2020, China's Women's Team will face Japan in a much-anticipated showdown as they battle for gold.
China secured their place in the final after a dominant 3-0 victory over Korea Republic. The match began with CHEN Meng and WANG Manyu winning the doubles encounter 3-1 (11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) against SHIN Yubin and JEON Jihee. SUN Yingsha then extended China's lead with a commanding 3-0 (11-5, 11-1, 11-3) victory over LEE Eunhye. WANG Manyu sealed the win, defeating JEON Jihee 3-0 (11-3, 11-7, 11-3), ensuring China's chance to fight for their fifth consecutive Women's Team Gold Medal at the Olympics.
In the other semifinal, Japan's Women's Team advanced to the final with a dramatic 3-1 victory over Germany. The match kicked off with Miu HIRANO and Hina HAYATA securing a 3-1 (11-3, 11-3, 6-11, 11-8) win in the doubles against Xiaona SHAN and Yuan WAN. Germany's 18-year-old sensation, Annett KAUFMANN, levelled the score with a stunning 3-0 (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) victory over world number 8 and 16-year-old Miwa HARIMOTO, showing her remarkable talent on the world stage. However, Miu HIRANO regained Japan's lead with a 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-9) win over Yuan WAN. The tie was decided in the final singles match, where Miwa HARIMOTO delivered a dominant 3-0 (11-8, 11-5, 11-0) victory over Xiaona SHAN, securing Japan's spot in the gold medal match and making HARIMOTO the youngest table tennis medallist at Paris 2024.
As we edge closer to the end of table tennis action at South Paris Arena, where more than 200,000 fans have created one of the best atmospheres of Paris 2024, two days of thrilling competition remain. Today, the Men's Bronze Medal match between host France and Japan will take place at 10, followed by the gold medal clash between China and Sweden at 15. On Saturday, the Women's Team event will conclude the table tennis competition, with Germany facing Korea Republic for bronze at 10 and the Gold Medal match between China and Japan at 15.
