Coming into this year's Chinese Nationals, knowing the 2020 Olympics is just about a year away and the Nationals has replicated the format of the Olympics, many expected this would be a pre-match for the Chinese Olympic hopefuls. The withdrawal of the 'Big 5' was disappointing but it had not reduced the level of excitement of this Nationals. 39-year old chopper Hou Yingchao celebrated his second singles national title, and it was her first for Sun Yingsha. The men's and women's team title went to PLA and Shandong respectively both were stretched to a full distance 5 matches in the finals. Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Manyu improved from their second-place finish and claimed gold in the mixed doubles.
If you happen to miss this enthralling 11-day event, this recap will save your time without having you missing the best part of it!
In a roller coaster ride of a final, it was PLA prevailed in their encounter with Beijing, the defending champion.
Tension mounted on day 10 at the 2019 Chinese Nationals, as teams were vying for the top step of the podium. All women's team matches played on day 10 were stretched the full 5 matches distance, and in the concluding match of the day, the women's team final, Shandong put an exclamation mark to the action-packed day with an epic comeback.
Teams secured their spots in the semifinals after actions of day 9. A dramatic women's team showdown between Liaoning and Heilongjiang was played in the quarterfinals, and the latter made to the semifinals by upsetting the defending champion with a 3-1 win. On the other hand, Beijing celebrated another straightforward 3-0 victory in the quarterfinals over a very strong team, Shandong Luneng. Shandong, Hebei, PLA 1 women's team and Sichuan, PLA, Guangdong have also made to the semifinals.
The opening round of the team events contributed a day of exciting actions. The newly crowned men's singles national champion Hou Yingchao leading Team Shaanxi was eliminated in the opening hurdle. So did the 3-time men's team champion (2014, 2015, 2016) Shanghai. While strong contenders of the women's team podium, Hebei and Shandong survived the 3-2 nailbiter and advanced to the quarterfinals.
It's not about the age nor is it the playing style. The prowess of an athlete said it all. Sun Yingsha topples 3-time women's singles national champion Zhu Yuling to win her first women's singles national title. Whereas Hou Yingchao ends 19-year wait and wins his second men's singles national title.
Disappointments for defending champions as Wang Manyu and Liang Jingkun, both seeded for respective women's and men's singles events, were knocked out in the singles semifinals. Defenders Hou Yingchao and Ma Te break into mix in the men's singles semifinals.
Day 5 at the 2019 Chinese National Championships, Hou Yingchao proves he's still very competitive as he makes the top 8 at the men's singles of the Chinese Nationals. In the mixed doubles final, Lin Gaoyuan and Wang Manyu crowned mixed doubles national champion with a 4-1 victory over Zhou Qihao and Chen Xingtong.
Day 4 of the Nationals was not perfect but the crowd would not be disappointed with all the enthralling mixed doubles and singles matches.
Notable names fell on the third day of qualification at the 2019 Chinese Nationals. Underdogs challenged mixed doubles top seeds and young players overthrew big names in singles qualification round.
The withdrawal of top seeds, Ma Long, Xu Xin, Fan Zhendong, Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen hit the headline of day 2 of qualification action. While some strong contenders in mixed doubles almost fell short from making the main draw, some 'lucky loser' received a second chance.
Women's team draws and results from the 2019 Chinese National Championships held from 23 July to 2 August in Tianjin, China.
Men's team draws and results from the 2019 Chinese National Championships held from 23 July to 2 August in Tianjin, China.
The 2019 Chinese National Championships commenced in Tianjin on 23 July. With over 100 pairs of mixed doubles contested in the qualification rounds, it was an action-packed opening day.
Men's singles draws and results from the 2019 Chinese Nationals held from 23 July to 2 August in Tianjin, China.
Women's singles draws and results from the 2019 Chinese Nationals held from 23 July to 2 August in Tianjin, China.
Mixed doubles draws and results from the 2019 Chinese Nationals, held from 23 July to 2 August in Tianjin, China.
While we all think athletes and fans can finally take a break from a series of World Tours and T2 Diamond competitions, the Chinese have one more to go and it is going to be a tough one. The 2019 Chinese National Championships will take place from 23 July to 2 August, in Tianjin, China. Top Chinese paddlers will gather in Tianjin in the coming 11 days, vying for 5 national titles. How to watch, schedule, seeding lists, competition format and related links are included in this article. We will be reporting all the action as well, so check back at competition time to follow along.
The preliminary stage of the 2019 Chinese National Championships commenced on 6 May, in Meihekou, Jilin. Only the men's team and women's team events are played at the 7-day tournament and the top 8 teams of each event will advance to the main round which will be held from 25 July to 2 August in Tianjin, China.
