Zhang Yining of China defeated team-mate Wang Nan yesterday to win the gold medal in the women’s singles table tennis at the Olympics, completing a medals sweep for the host team.
China clinched all three medals in the event after Guo Yue beat Li Jia Wei of Singapore to win the bronze.
Li was in tears at failing to clinch Singapore’s second medal at these Games.
PHOTO: AP
The gold medal match was a showdown between two of the best athletes in table tennis — Zhang was playing for her fourth Olympic gold medal and Wang was competing for her fifth.
The score was frequently tied and Wang controlled the game at first, forcing world No. 1 Zhang to lunge and chase for the ball.
But Zhang stayed cool and gradually took over her fifth-ranked opponent, winning 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-3.
China have never lost the women’s singles crown since the sport was introduced in 1988.
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