Last week, the best Asian table tennis players gathered in Wuxi, China to play in the 2017 Asian Championships. There was the comeback of the Olympic and World medalists, as well as the emergence of young hopefuls. If you have not watched all these exciting moments, sit back, relax and get watching. The list of Must-See Matches starts now!
Men's Team
Zhang Jike (CHN) Vs Kang Mi Hun (DPRK) -- Quarterfinal
Hong Kong Vs Korea -- Quarterfinal
A dramatic comeback played by the Korean team after trailing 0-2 behind Hong Kong after 2 games. The Korean team showed their aggressive playing style, especially their strong forehand. Not sure whether it is a change made by their new national coach, Kim Taek Soo?
A dramatic comeback played by the Korean team after trailing 0-2 behind Hong Kong after 2 games. The Korean team showed their aggressive playing style, especially their strong forehand. Not sure whether it is a change made by their new national coach, Kim Taek Soo?
China Vs Korea -- Final (Highlights)
Despite the Chinese won the match, the Korean didn't allow the Chinese to walk away with the title easily.
Women's Team
Democratic People's Republic of Korea Vs Korea Republic -- Quarterfinal
A rare match between the choppers and attackers. The South Korean team had the edge over the inexperience North Korean team and won the match.
A rare match between the choppers and attackers. The South Korean team had the edge over the inexperience North Korean team and won the match.
China Vs Japan -- Final (Highlights 1, Highlights 2)
It is not surprising that the Chinese and the Japanese met in the finals again. However, with the absence of Kasumi Ishikawa, the Japanese team had a team of 17-year-old young players who competed in last year's Junior World Championships. The Japanese players were quick and efficient in playing wide angles which had made the Chinese coaches realized that they needed to took the Japanese team seriously.
It is not surprising that the Chinese and the Japanese met in the finals again. However, with the absence of Kasumi Ishikawa, the Japanese team had a team of 17-year-old young players who competed in last year's Junior World Championships. The Japanese players were quick and efficient in playing wide angles which had made the Chinese coaches realized that they needed to took the Japanese team seriously.
Mixed Doubles
Zhou Yu / Chen Xingtong (CHN) Vs Wong Chun Ting / Doo Hoi Kem (HKG)
The Hong Kong doubles are the bronze medalists in 2015 Worlds mixed doubles while this is the first time that Zhou and Chen paired up in mixed doubles (Zhou said he knew Chen was his partner when he arrived Wuxi). It was a close match but communication helped Zhou and Chen to win the game.
Fang Bo / Wang Manyu (CHN) Vs Morizono Masataka / Ito Mima (JPN) -- Semifinal
It is not easy to make a comeback in the decisive match, not to mention when you are against the Chinese. But the Japanese doubles proved that nothing is impossible. Ito Mima burst into tears after making this incredible comeback.
Zhou Yu / Chen Xingtong (CHN) Vs Morizono Masataka / Ito Mima (JPN) -- Final (Highlights)
The Japanese remained strong in the finals but the Chinese were even better. The Japanese fought hard to close down the gap but it was not enough to win.
The Japanese remained strong in the finals but the Chinese were even better. The Japanese fought hard to close down the gap but it was not enough to win.
Women's Doubles
Kim Kyung Ah/Suh Hyowon (KOR) Vs Sato Hitomi/Hashimoto Honoka (JPN) -- QF
Choppers against choppers but it was a match among choppers of different styles. The Japanese doubles were more quick and aggressive and beat the veterans from Korea. Kim Kyung Ah played so hard that she broke her racket at 10-10 in the fourth set and had to use her alternative racket to play the decisive 2 points.
Chen Meng / Zhu Yu Ling (CHN) Vs Sato Hitomi / Hashimoto Honoka (JPN) -- Semifinal (Highlights)
What a recovery for Zhu Yuling after losing to Miu Hirano in the women's singles. The Chinese had no problem with the choppers.
Chen Meng / Zhu Yu Ling (CHN) Vs Chen Ke / Wang Manyu (CHN) -- Final (Highlights)
This was a match between the top and the young of the Chinese team. Wang Manyu's backhand was very powerful but her aggressiveness also means a higher risk of missing the ball. Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling won the title with more variety in their playing style.
What a recovery for Zhu Yuling after losing to Miu Hirano in the women's singles. The Chinese had no problem with the choppers.
Chen Meng / Zhu Yu Ling (CHN) Vs Chen Ke / Wang Manyu (CHN) -- Final (Highlights)
This was a match between the top and the young of the Chinese team. Wang Manyu's backhand was very powerful but her aggressiveness also means a higher risk of missing the ball. Chen Meng and Zhu Yuling won the title with more variety in their playing style.
Men's Doubles
Zhou Yu / Fang Bo (CHN) Vs Fan Zhendong / Lin Gaoyuan (CHN) -- Final (Highlights)
The derby in the men's doubles final is out of the league. The players had been training together before the match and were so familiar with their strengths and weaknesses. Zhou Yu and Fang Bo had more control in the 1st set but Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan were quick and powerful. Fan and Lin took the title by committing fewer mistakes in the competition.
The derby in the men's doubles final is out of the league. The players had been training together before the match and were so familiar with their strengths and weaknesses. Zhou Yu and Fang Bo had more control in the 1st set but Fan Zhendong and Lin Gaoyuan were quick and powerful. Fan and Lin took the title by committing fewer mistakes in the competition.
Women's Singles
Ding Ning (CHN) Vs Miu Hirano (JPN) -- Quarterfinal (Highlights)
It was a shocking defeat of Ding Ning. She won the first 2 sets and had a lead in the 3rd set and the 4th set but Miu was playing strong and comeback with 3-2.
It was a shocking defeat of Ding Ning. She won the first 2 sets and had a lead in the 3rd set and the 4th set but Miu was playing strong and comeback with 3-2.
Zhu Yuling (CHN) Vs Miu Hirano (JPN) -- Semifinal (Highlights)
Winning Ding Ning might have given Miu a confidence boost, Zhu Yuling had not much to do with Miu's quick pushes.
Chen Meng (CHN) Vs Miu Hirano (JPN) -- Final (Highlights)
Chen Meng was the last hope for the Chinese to win the women's singles title. The Chinese coaches had meetings after Miu beating 2 Chinese players but Miu was extraordinary in the competition and deserves to win the champion.
Chen Meng was the last hope for the Chinese to win the women's singles title. The Chinese coaches had meetings after Miu beating 2 Chinese players but Miu was extraordinary in the competition and deserves to win the champion.
Men's Singles
Ma Long (CHN) Vs Jeong Sangeun (KOR) -- Round of 32
Ma Long's first loss to non-Chinese players in 5 years ever. What has caused the loss? There were multiple reasons for that. He will fix the problems in the coming month for sure and get prepared for the Worlds.
Xu Xin (CHN) Vs Koki Niwa (JPN) -- Quarterfinal
All pressure was on Xu Xin after Ma Long's defeat and Xu Xin lost under pressure. Backhand is the nemesis of penhold players, Xu Xin is no exception. His backhand follows up and defence cost him the match against Koki Niwa.
Zhang Jike (CHN) Vs Lin Gaoyuan (CHN) -- Quarterfinal
A real challenge for Zhang Jike as he played against Lin Gaoyuan who earned his spot to the Worlds in the Chinese Trials (Marvellous 12) a month ago. Despite his aching ankle, Zhang won the match after 5 sets of intense competition. Lin was good but he lacks competition experience and variety in his playing style, perhaps cheers from the crowd too (Zhang Jike's fan girl were LOUD, just kidding, supportive is the word to describe them).
All pressure was on Xu Xin after Ma Long's defeat and Xu Xin lost under pressure. Backhand is the nemesis of penhold players, Xu Xin is no exception. His backhand follows up and defence cost him the match against Koki Niwa.
Zhang Jike (CHN) Vs Lin Gaoyuan (CHN) -- Quarterfinal
A real challenge for Zhang Jike as he played against Lin Gaoyuan who earned his spot to the Worlds in the Chinese Trials (Marvellous 12) a month ago. Despite his aching ankle, Zhang won the match after 5 sets of intense competition. Lin was good but he lacks competition experience and variety in his playing style, perhaps cheers from the crowd too (Zhang Jike's fan girl were LOUD, just kidding, supportive is the word to describe them).
Koki Niwa (JPN) Vs Jeong Sangeun (KOR) -- Semifinal (Highlights)
When everyone believes Koki Niwa was one step away from the finals, Jeong Sangeun played a strong comeback and end the match with a powerful and decisive shot. Jeong is definitely the black horse of this championships.
When everyone believes Koki Niwa was one step away from the finals, Jeong Sangeun played a strong comeback and end the match with a powerful and decisive shot. Jeong is definitely the black horse of this championships.
Zhang Jike (CHN) Vs Fan Zhendong (CHN) -- Semifinal (Highlights)
Fan Zhendong had no problems in dealing with Zhang Jike's powerful flips, despite Zhang Jike was near to his peak form. Sometimes it's not about winning but more than a competition. In the last point, Zhang Jike and Fan Zhendong played an entertaining exhibition in return to the supportive crowd.
Fan Zhendong had no problems in dealing with Zhang Jike's powerful flips, despite Zhang Jike was near to his peak form. Sometimes it's not about winning but more than a competition. In the last point, Zhang Jike and Fan Zhendong played an entertaining exhibition in return to the supportive crowd.
Off the Radar...
Lilis from Indonesia played a style that is rare in international competition. So instead of chopping far from the table, she blocked/chopped once the ball bounce off the table.
Liu Shiwen vs Lilis Indriani (Round of 64 Highlights)
The Indian men's team almost made history as they were defeated by Japan 2-3 and every match was a tension-packed match. Unfortunately, the match was played in the early round and no coverage of the match can be found. Please let me know if you know where to watch the match.
Any players who have made to the championships deserve our respect. The list is always too short to include all the magnificent competitions but there must be an end. These are the matches that I personally think worth-(re)watching and I hope you enjoy them. Follow the blog for more updates and comment below to talk about your thoughts on the championships and the blog.
You may be interested in...
Liu Guoliang and Qin Zhijian Commented on the 2017 Asian Championships!
Recap: 2017 Asian Championships in 3 Minutes
Must-See Matches from the 2017 Asian Table Tennis Championships
Lilis from Indonesia played a style that is rare in international competition. So instead of chopping far from the table, she blocked/chopped once the ball bounce off the table.
Liu Shiwen vs Lilis Indriani (Round of 64 Highlights)
The Indian men's team almost made history as they were defeated by Japan 2-3 and every match was a tension-packed match. Unfortunately, the match was played in the early round and no coverage of the match can be found. Please let me know if you know where to watch the match.
Any players who have made to the championships deserve our respect. The list is always too short to include all the magnificent competitions but there must be an end. These are the matches that I personally think worth-(re)watching and I hope you enjoy them. Follow the blog for more updates and comment below to talk about your thoughts on the championships and the blog.
You may be interested in...
Liu Guoliang and Qin Zhijian Commented on the 2017 Asian Championships!
Recap: 2017 Asian Championships in 3 Minutes
Must-See Matches from the 2017 Asian Table Tennis Championships
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