In Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, table tennis enthusiasts witnessed an electrifying display during the qualifiers for the 15th National Games of China. The nail-biting matches showcased emerging talent and experience, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament in November.
In the men's singles action, Jiangsu's Sun Wen dominated his match against Hebei's Zhou Yu with a decisive sweep. With superior serving and relentless determination, Sun claimed victories in straight games, recording scores of 11-8, 11-3, 11-6, and 11-6.
Meanwhile, Beijing's Huang Youzheng took on Shanghai's Zhao Zihao in a gripping encounter. Huang seized an early advantage by winning the first three games (11-9, 11-8, and 11-3), and despite Zhao pulling one game back, Huang secured his spot with a thrilling 11-9 in the final game.
The men's qualifiers reached a dramatic peak when Beijing's Xu Chenhao, a teammate of Huang, endured a seven-game battle against Heilongjiang's Wei Shihao. After a strong start that saw Xu leading 3-1, Wei fought back to level the score. Xu, however, rallied in the decisive game, overturning a 6-2 deficit to clinch an 11-9 win.
On the women's side, Jiangsu's Shi Xunyao delivered a commanding performance by sweeping Heilongjiang's Che Xiaoxi with scores of 11-8, 12-10, 11-6, and 11-4. In another match, Hebei's He Zhuojia ensured her qualification with a flawless victory over Guangdong's Yang Shilu.
The intensity continued in a seven-game showdown in women's singles where Hebei's Wang Tianyi overcame Tianjin's Liu Weishan. After falling behind early, Wang rallied with strategic wins in the later games, ultimately sealing a hard-fought 11-5 victory in the final decider.
The mixed doubles event wrapped up with all 24 pairs confirmed. The final qualification spots were claimed by pairs from Hebei and Tianjin. Hebei's Liang Yanning and He Zhuojia bested Fujian's duo in straight games with close scores of 12-10, 11-8, and 13-11, while Tianjin's Hao Shuai and Liu Weishan dispatched Chongqing's Yin Mengze and He Xiaoyu with commanding wins.
As the qualifiers conclude, anticipation builds for the National Games in November, where these standout players are set to showcase their skills on a grand stage, promising riveting competition for fans and sports enthusiasts around the globe.
Reference(s):
Table tennis qualifiers for 15th National Games of China wrap up
cgtn.com
