Taiwanese paddlers defeated China 3-2 yesterday in the men's team table tennis final at the 2025 Summer World University Games in Germany, securing Taiwan's first-ever gold in the event.
The men's team table tennis event at the World University Games uses a best-of-five singles format. Taiwan's team consisted of Feng Yi-hsin (馮翊新), Kao Cheng-jui (高承睿) and Huang Yan-cheng (黃彥誠).
Photo courtesy of the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation via CNA
In the opening match, 22-year-old Feng defeated Chen Junsong (陳俊菘) 3-1 (11-7, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7) to give Taiwan a 1-0 lead over China.
However, world No. 25 Kao then lost to Sun Zheng (孫政) 1-3 (8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 5-11), leveling the match at 1-1.
Huang, playing the third match, put Taiwan back in the lead at 2-1 by defeating Zeng Beixun (曾蓓勳) 3-1 (11-4, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6).
Kao returned for the fourth match but lost to Chen, tying the score at 2-2. Feng then quickly bounced back by defeating Sun in the final match to clinch the victory 3-2 for Taiwan.
The victory marked Taiwan's first-ever men's team gold at the University Games, improving on their previous best of silver. Afterward, Feng said the win felt surreal. "I was nervous in the final match, but my teammates' cheers gave me confidence," he said.
"Our tactics worked so well, I could hardly believe it," he said.
Huang said their ultimate goal was to win gold, while Kao, who struggled in his matches, thanked his teammates for securing the victory. "My performance wasn't even worthy of a bronze," he admitted. "I'm grateful to my teammates for helping me fulfill this dream."
Coach Chu Yen-hui (朱硯匯) praised the team's balanced lineup and trust. "With Feng stepping up at crucial moments, that's what made this gold medal possible," he said.
Taiwan also won three silver medals yesterday, finishing second in the badminton mixed team event, taekwondo and swimming.
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