China, Beijing: Chinese athletes claimed one gold and one silver medal for China at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris on Tuesday. Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin clinched the mixed doubles table tennis title, making up for the victory they missed during the event's debut at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
In the mixed doubles final on Tuesday, Wang Chuqin and Sun triumphed over Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) with a 4-2 win. The game scores were 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8. Previously, in Tokyo 2021, Liu Shiwen and Xu Xin had lost to Japan’s Mima Ito and Jun Mitzutani in the final.
Excited photographers rushing to capture the victorious moment damaged Wang Chuqin's paddle. Initially frustrated, he soon regained his composure.
"I guess they didn't mean it. I can't change what's already done, but I'm confident I can still perform well with my backup bat. Maybe this is fate," he remarked.
Additionally, Qi Ying earned a silver medal for China in the men's trap shooting event with an Olympic record of 44 points, trailing behind British gold medalist Nathan Hales who scored 48 points. The bronze went to Jean Pierre Brol of Guatemala.
Simone Biles from the USA led her team to victory in the women's artistic gymnastics team final, securing the top spot on the podium. This marked her fifth Olympic gold medal, making her the most decorated American gymnast.
In the swimming pool at the Olympic Aquatics Centre in the Paris La Defense Arena, Pan Zhanle secured a spot in the men’s 100-meter freestyle final by finishing the semifinals in 47.21 seconds. Yang Junxuan also advanced to the women’s 100-meter freestyle final. Both athletes, along with Dong Zhihao from the men’s 200-meter breaststroke event, are aiming for China’s first swimming gold medal.
Team China continued to make progress in other events. Wang Lili’s buzzer-beater led to a 21-19 victory over the host country France in the women’s 3x3 basketball game.
In a lengthy tennis match lasting three hours and 12 minutes, Zheng Qinwen defeated Emma Navarro from the USA 6-7, 7-6(4), 6-1 in the women’s singles event. Zheng later decided to withdraw from the mixed doubles event. Wang Xinyu paired with Zhang Zhizhen, defeating Brazil’s Luisa Stefani and Thiago Seyboth Wild 3-6, 6-3, 10-8.
