This is Google's cache of https://www.olympic.org/news/china-secure-third-straight-table-tennis-grand-slam.

It is a
snapshot of the page as it appeared on 29 Jul 2017 12:02:57 GMT.
The current page could have changed in the meantime. Learn more

Full version Text-only version View source

Tip: To quickly find your search term on this page, press Ctrl+F or -F (Mac) and use the find bar.

Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display

skip to content
Menu
International Olympic Committee

Olympic Games
Summer Olympic Games
Winter Olympic Games
Youth Olympic Games
All
Beijing 2022
Tokyo 2020
Pyeongchang 2018
Rio 2016
Sochi 2014
London 2012
Vancouver 2010
Beijing 2008
Turin 2006
Athens 2004
Salt Lake CIty 2002
Sydney 2000
Nagano 1998
Atlanta 1996
Lillehammer 1994
Barcelona 1992
Albertville 1992
Seoul 1988
Calgary 1988
Los Angeles 1984
Sarajevo 1984
Moscow 1980
Lake Placid 1980
Montreal 1976
Innsbruck 1976
 Munich 1972
Sapporo 1972
Mexico 1968
Grenoble 1968
Tokyo 1964
Innsbruck 1964
Rome 1960
Squaw Valley 1960
Melbourne/
Stockholm 1956
Cortina
d'Ampezzo 1956
Helsinki 1952
Oslo 1952
London 1948
St. Moritz 1948
Berlin 1936
Garmisch-
Partenkirchen 1936
Los Angeles 1932
Lake Placid 1932
Amsterdam 1928
St. Moritz 1928
Paris 1924
Chamonix 1924
Antwerp 1920
Stockholm 1912
London 1908
St. Louis 1904
Paris 1900
Athens 1896
Lausanne 2020
Buenos Aires 2018
Lillehammer 2016
Nanjing 2014
Innsbruck 2012
Singapore 2010
prevnext
Sports
Summer Sports
Archery
Athletics
 Badminton
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Boxing
Canoe Slalom
Canoe Sprint
Cycling BMX
Cycling Mountain Bike
Cycling Road
Cycling Track
Diving
Equestrian/Dressage
Equestrian/Eventing
Equestrian/Jumping
Fencing
Football
Golf
Gymnastics Artistic
Gymnastics Rhythmic
Handball
Hockey
Judo
Modern Pentathlon
Rowing
Rugby
Sailing
Shooting
Swimming
Synchronized Swimming
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Trampoline
Triathlon
Volleyball
Water Polo
Weightlifting
Wrestling Freestyle
Wrestling Greco-Roman
Winter Sports
Alpine Skiing
Biathlon
 Bobsleigh
Cross Country Skiing
Curling
Figure skating
Freestyle Skiing
Ice Hockey
Luge
Nordic Combined
Short Track Speed Skating
Skeleton
Ski Jumping
Snowboard
Speed skating
Athletes
Countries
Results
Photos
Videos
Watch Olympic Videos
Rio 2016
sochi 2014
london 2012
vancouver 2010
beijing 2008
turin 2006
Athens 2004
Salt Lake City 2002
Sydney 2000
Nagano 1998
Atlanta 1996
Lillehammer 1994
IOC Videos
Olympic Day
The Olympic Channel

The new Olympic Channel brings you news, highlights, exclusive

behind the scenes, live events and original programming, 24 hours a
day, 365 days per year.

Watch the Olympic Channel Now arrow right

News
Olympic Games and YOG News
Olympic games news
beijing 2022
tokyo 2020
pyeongchang 2018
Rio 2016
sochi 2014
london 2012
YOG news
Lausanne 2020
BUENOS AIRES 2018
lillehammer 2016
nanjing 2014
innsbruck 2012
News topics
ioc news
host city elections
torch relay
olympic games legacy
sustainability
Fight against doping
Refugee Olympic Team
Information for the Media
media resources
key events calendar
accreditations
Photos and videos
press releases
reference Documents
Latest IOC Updates on twitter
About
What we do
Celebrate
Olympic Games
From Candidate
to Host City
Sustainability
Legacy
Promote
Olympism in Society
Sport and Active Society
Women in sport
 Education
Social Development
Sport for Hope
Peace through sport
Cooperation United Nations
Olympic Studies Centre
Olympic Day
Leading
the Olympic Movement
Olympic Agenda 2020
Good Governance
Ethics
Sporting regulations
National Olympic
Committees
International
Federations
Organising Committees
for the Olympic Games
Recognised
organisations
Support and protect
clean athletes
Olympic Solidarity
Career Programme
Athletes' Space
Fight against doping
Prevention of
competition manipulation
Healthy Body Image
Harrassement
and Abuse in Sport
Who we are
The organisation
President
Members
Commissions
Sessions
Congresses
How we do it
Funding
Partners
 Broadcasters
Ticketing
Licensing
Suppliers
Museum
The Museum
Practical Information
Calendar
TOM Cafe
TOM Shop
Schools
School Visits
Teaching Resources
Groups
Seminars and Corporate Events
Group Visits
Digital Experiences
TOM Blog
Serious Game
The Olympic Journey
Live: Broadcasting the Olympic Games
Time and Sport
Shop

twitter
youtube
redirect Share
facebook
googleplus

search
search-form

News

2016 Getty Images

Date
18 Oct 2016
Tags
IOC News , RIO 2016 , Table Tennis , People's Republic of China , ZHANG, Jike
China secure third straight table tennis
grand slam
facebook Share
twitter Share

In the table tennis competitions at Rio 2016, China once again took a clean sweep of the titles on offer.
While defending champions Li Xiaoxia and Zhang Jike were beaten in the singles, compatriots Ding
Ning and Ma Long ensured that their crowns stayed in China. In the team competitions, the four
singles finalists powered to victory alongside Liu Shiwen in the womens team and Xu Xin in the
mens team.

In the womens singles, top seed Ding Ning blazed through the competition on her way to
the final. Having restricted her opponents to a handful of points in the early rounds, it was
not until the semi-final that she lost a game, beating Kim Song-i (PRK) 4-1. Not to be
outdone, 2012 gold winner Li Xiaoxia ensured that she did not drop a single game leading
up to the final. In a particularly clinical semi-final win, Japans Ai Fukuhara won just nine
points as Li sealed an 11-4, 11-3, 11-1, 11-1 victory.

But in the gold-medal match Ding was too strong. Having lost the 2012 final 4-1 after
being penalised for several incorrect serves, the reigning world champion this time sealed
a 4-3 victory (11-9, 5-11, 14-12, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7).
I think my experience in London made me more mature and more capable of
overcoming challenges, Ding explained afterwards. I managed to put that sad memory
behind me by getting to Rio. When I qualified for the final, I just told myself that I was
going to fight to make my dreams come true. It was a difficult match. When it was over I
just felt so relaxed, and thats when I started to cry.

When commenting on the tactical choices that had helped her turn the tables on her
compatriot, Ding was full of praise for silver medallist Li: I tried to be proactive at the
start of the match and control the rhythm of each point, she explained. But, as you saw,
Li is a really experienced player and plays shots of such high quality. At one point in the
middle of the match it wasnt going particularly well so I gradually changed tactics and
strategy.

Were both part of the Chinese table tennis team so we see each other as team-mates
even in singles matches. Of course, in this situation were also rivals. Li Xiaoxia is the
leader of the team. As she said, she had a few injuries last year, but she kept on going and
kept playing at the highest level. Ive learned so much from her.
Getty Images
Li admitted that she was ready to quit the game earlier in the year before reversing her
decision. For various reasons, I came back, she explained. I have no regrets. The
Chinese table tennis players are all so strong and I just want to share my experience with
them. Four years ago, I went into the Olympics with nothing holding me back. There was
no pressure, I wasnt expecting anything. Now, I have much more experience and I felt a
weight on my shoulders. The team leaders have lots of responsibility.

In the bronze medal match, Kim Song-i utilised her defensive style of play to devastating
effect as she defeated Ai Fukuhura 4-1 (11-7, 11-7, 11-5, 12-14, 11-5). In doing so, she
proved that a defensive player can still win medals in the aggression-oriented modern
game.

Ma dethrones Zhang in mens singles

On 11 August, the final of the mens singles competition also saw the reigning champion
give up their crown. This time, world number one and reigning world champion Ma Long
took the title, overcoming London 2012 gold medallist Zhang Jike with an emphatic 4-0
(14-12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4) victory.

The win saw Ma join an elite group who have achieved a career grand slam of world
championship, World Cup and Olympic titles. Im very happy, not just to have
completed the grand slam but to have become Olympic champion, that alone makes me so
happy, he explained. I didnt worry in the final, I just did my best and played with a
sense of freedom. Im delighted to have won, its a standout moment in my career.
On the way to the final, Ma suffered a major scare in the fourth round when he lost the
first two games against Jung Young-sik (PRK) before turning the tide to win 4-2 (6-11,
10-12, 11-5, 11-1, 13-11, 13-11). He was also taken to six games in the semi-final against
the impressive Jun Mizutani (JPN).

Zhang, meanwhile, had no such difficulties as he strolled to a second consecutive

Olympic final. And, despite giving up his title, he was not overly disappointed. Instead,
he was keen to talk up the quality of table tennis produced by two of the games leading
lights: This will be a special memory for our athletes and for everyone who has been
involved in this match, he said. Ma put on a great performance, particularly in the first
game. Hes won this title and I give him my sincere congratulations for winning the grand
slam.
In the bronze medal match, world number six Jun Mizutani ran out a 4-1 winner (11-4,
11-9, 6-11, 14-12, 11-8) against world number nine Vladimir Samsonov (BLR). Its been
my dream to win a medal since I was a kid, Mizutani explained afterwards. I know
Vladimir Samsonov very well. Ive come up against him plenty of times in the past so I
know how he plays. I made sure to stay in the match and kept battling. The Chinese
players are the best because they dont have any weaknesses. Theyre so strong both
mentally and technically.

Clinical win for Chinas women

In the womens team competition, China asserted their dominance once more. Li Xiaoxia,
Liu Shiwen and Ding Ning did not lose a single match as they eased past Brazil, DPR
Korea, Singapore and finally Germany in the final on 16 August. For Germany, the silver
medal they secured by defeating Japan 3-2 in a four-hour marathon in the semi-finals was
their first ever medal in womens table tennis.

In a one-sided start to the final, Li Xiaoxia and Liu Shiwen used booming smashes and
prodigious spin shots to overcome Han Ying and Petrissa Solja of Germany without
dropping a game in the opening singles matches. Germanys Shan Xiaona and Petrissa
Solja showed more resistance in the doubles match when they took the third game but Liu
and her partner Ding soon regained control to complete a resounding 3-0 victory (3-0, 3-
0, 3-1).
Losing that game made the competition a bit more exciting, but of course I never want to
lose any games, Liu said.

Despite the lop-sided manner of the defeat, Germanys Han Ying was nevertheless proud
of her nations display: Skills-wise the gap between us and China is simply too big, so
this is the first time Ive not felt pressure while playing a match, she said. In the end, it
was just about enjoying table tennis.

Finally, the bronze medal match saw an exciting encounter between Japan and Singapore
with Ai Fukuhura, Kasumi Ishikawa and Mima Ito eventually overcoming Yu Mengyu,
Feng Tianwei and Zhou Yihan 3-1. Fifteen-year-old Ito became the youngest-ever
Olympic table tennis medallist.

Chinas men complete clean sweep

On 17 August, Ma Long, Zhang Jike and Xu Xin rounded off the Rio 2016 table tennis by
sealing Chinas fourth gold in four events. In the final of the mens team competition, they
were pushed hard by the young Japanese team, eventually sealing a 3-1 victory.
Mens singles gold medallist Ma breezed through the opening match 3-0 against Koki
Niwa while Japans Jun Mizutani surprised Xu Xin in the second singles match. After
Mizutani took the first two games, the Chinese penholder went on a strong run to win two
games and have three match points at 10-7 in the fifth and deciding game. But Mizutani
rallied and won five points in a row to secure a 3-2 victory and level the match.
Japans momentum continued into the doubles contest where Maharu Yoshimura and
Niwa won the first game 11-4 and threatened a shock result. In the end, however, Zhang
Jike and Xu refocused to secure a 3-1 win. Ma then took centre stage again and blew
away Japans last hope Yoshimura with a brilliant 11-1, 11-4, 11-4 performance to seal
Chinas third successive clean sweep at the Olympic Games.

I feel very happy because it wasnt at all easy tonight, Ma explained. This team gold
medal feels more substantial than the singles gold I won. The scariest moment was the
doubles because Xu Xin had just lost a big second singles match and there was only five
minutes for him to rest and think about strategy. He did very well to win it.

Xu Xin, meanwhile, was impressed with the fight that Japan put up: They are really
strong, and they are always improving, he said. Aside from their top player Jun
Mizutani, the other two players are still very young and in four years at the Tokyo
Olympics they will be even more dangerous to us.
Singles bronze medallist Mizutani, who won the second match of the final, looks set to
mount a serious challenge to China on home soil: Competing in the finals of the
Olympic Games at this stage and performing like that against China may be even more
valuable to us than the gold medal, he said. This gave us a great deal of confidence and
Im looking ahead to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with the idea that we can beat the
Chinese team.

In the bronze medal match Germany overcame Republic of Korea 3-1, with a neck injury
not enough to stop Timo Boll from winning the doubles match with partner Bastian
Steger and then his singles encounter against Joo Saehyuk 3-0.
Tags IOC News , RIO 2016 , Table Tennis , People's Republic of China , ZHANG, Jike

facebook Share
twitter Share

Related News
RIO 2016
China complete table tennis sweep with Japan on the
rise
17 Aug 2016 RIO 2016

China women beat Germany to claim table tennis gold

16 Aug 2016 RIO 2016

Ma wins mens singles gold to complete career grand

slam
11 Aug 2016 RIO 2016

Ding turns tables to claim gold in epic showdown

10 Aug 2016

Gallery
Photos

Table Tennis
Table Tennis - Team Women
Table Tennis - Team Women
Table Tennis - Team Women
Table Tennis - Team Women
Table Tennis - Team Women
Table Tennis - Team Women
Table Tennis - Men's Singles
Table Tennis - Men's Singles
Quick links :

RIO 2016
Lillehammer 2016
PyeongChang 2018
IOC News
Tokyo 2020
 Beijing 2022
Host City Election News

btn

Olympic Torch Relay

YOG News
Buenos Aires 2018
Lausanne 2020

back to top

Share this!

Fr

Olympic Games
all olympic games
summer olympics
winter olympics
Youth Olympic Games
results
Media
Media resources
latest news
key events calendar
Publications
documents
faq
behind the games
torch relay
mascots
olympic medals
ancient games
Programmes
olympic solidarity
 sport and active society
women in sport
Sport for Hope
olympic legacy
The IOC
The Organisation
Olympic agenda 2020
Sponsors
Jobs at the IOC
Olympic Studies Centre
Olympic World Library

sign form Sign up for our newsletter

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display