Hong Kong’s women’s table tennis team secure 2020 Tokyo Olympics ticket but men still sweating on spot
- Hong Kong’s women beat Belarus 3-0 in the world team qualification event in Portugal
- Injured Wong Chun-ting fails to help men’s team, who lose 3-2 to Serbia and face a dogfight for the only remaining Olympic place
Hong Kong’s table tennis stars began the Year of the Rat with mixed fortunes as the women’s team secured their place at the 2020 Olympic Games, while the men’s team will need to rally one more time in Gondoma, Portugal.
The top seeds of the 30-team draw, Hong Kong’s women shrugged off any pressure as they beat Belarus 3-0 on Friday at the world team qualification event.
With China, Japan and Germany having secured Tokyo 2020 spots as continental champions or hosts, the world No 3 Hong Kong, along with Chinese Taipei, the second seeds, needed only one victory to book their tickets.
“This is the first time we came across this playing format and are so happy we made it,” head coach Chan Kong-wah said. “The women’s team has been playing so well and that’s why we were seeded first, but the girls still have to prove it on the courts.
“Against the Belarus players, who are strong in their defensive style of cutting play which has always been our weakest point, we needed sufficient mental power to help us through. The first match in the doubles was a big test but once we got through, we were fine and made it with the two following singles.”