Above: Hina Hayata (left) and Miwa Harimoto react after their defeat to China in the first match of the women’s team table tennis final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
Below: Miu Hirano competes in the women’s team table tennis final at the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
16:03 JST, August 11, 2024
PARIS — Japan once again had to settle for silver in the women’s team tennis tournament after losing 3-0 to China on Saturday at the Paris Olympics. However, the result did not end China’s dominance in the event.
It is the second time in a row that Japan has taken home silver in the event since the Tokyo Games. Although the result dashed the Japanese team’s hopes of a gold medal, the team still managed to reach the podium for the fourth time in a row, after finishing second at the London 2012 Games and third in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
China has dominated the gold medal table tennis team event since it was added to the Olympics at the 2008 Beijing Games. The challenge for Japan, where star player Hina Hayata has been hampered by an injury to her dominant arm, was how to compete with a powerhouse that excels in all aspects of the sport.
Coach Takehiro Watanabe urged the Japanese trio to win the first game, no ifs or buts. His goal was to take an early lead and put pressure on the Chinese opponents.
The team event begins with the doubles. It was the first time at the Paris Games that the Japanese duo consisted of Hayata and Miwa Harimoto.
Japan and China each won two games, and in the fifth game Japan was leading 9-5. However, the duo lost five points in a row and eventually lost the match, with a score of 12-10 in the final game.
In the second match of the event, Miu Hirano took an early 8-3 lead, but eventually lost in two games.
In the final, Harimoto won the first game, but eventually lost the match 3-1.
Japan was once again overwhelmed by the sport’s world champion, who proved strong under pressure.
