Japan's challenge to unseat China as the Olympic women's team table tennis champion vanished on Saturday after the sport's powerhouse won its fifth consecutive title in the event at the Paris Games.
Wang Manyu, Sun Yingsha and singles gold medallist Chen Meng have led China to dominate the women's team crown since the sport was introduced at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
China won 3-0 at the South Paris Arena to sweep all five gold medals and one silver in table tennis at the 2024 Olympics.
Japan's Hayata Hina (back row, left) and Harimoto Miwa lose to China's Chen Meng and Wang Manyu in the first match of the women's team gold medal match in table tennis at the Paris Olympics, at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Kyodo)
Hina Hayata, Miwa Harimoto and Miu Hirano won their second consecutive silver medal for Japan, who came in second at the Tokyo Games three years ago. Japan has now reached the Olympic podium in the women's team event for the fourth consecutive time.
“We gave it our all,” Hayata said, “but in the end, it was my performance as a senior that held us back.”
Hayata/Harimoto started well in doubles, leading 9-5 in the deciding fifth game, but lost 2-3 to Chen/Wang.
Sun beat Hirano 3-0 in the singles match before Wang beat 16-year-old Harimoto 3-1 to win the gold medal for his home country.
“I'm disappointed to lose,” said Harimoto, who was competing in his Olympic debut. “I tried my best, but it still wasn't enough.”
The team silver medal was the 24-year-old Hayata's second medal of the tournament. Hayata lost to runner-up Son in the semifinals but won the bronze medal in singles.
Japan's Miu Hirano faces China's Sun Yingsha in the second match of the women's team gold medal match at the Paris Olympics table tennis tournament at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Kyodo)
Japan's Miwa Harimoto (right) loses to China's Wang Manyu in the third match of the women's team gold medal match in table tennis at the Paris Olympics at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Kyodo)
Japan's Miwa Harimoto (front row) reacts after scoring a point against China's Wang Manyu during the third match of the women's team gold medal match in table tennis at the Paris Olympics at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Kyodo)
Hayata, who had been struggling with wrist pain ahead of the singles medal match, said she was “80 to 90 percent” recovered.
“I was able to forget about my injury and really enjoy my last game,” the left-hander said.
“Obviously I'm disappointed that we lost, but I'm happy that we gave it our all until the end.”
South Korea earlier defeated Germany 3-0 to win the bronze medal in the women's team event.
Table tennis players from China (center), Japan (left) and South Korea pose for a commemorative photo at the medal ceremony after winning gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the women's team event at the Paris Olympics at the South Paris Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Kyodo)
China's victory further cemented their dominance, having won all but one women's Olympic gold medal in table tennis since the sport's introduction at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
“Seeing the Chinese athletes with gold medals around their necks made me want a medal of those colors,” Harimoto said.
“It was a really fun Olympics, but the disappointment of losing has motivated me to work even harder next time.”
Related coverage:
Olympics: Japan to face China in women's table tennis team final
Olympics: Japan table tennis team advances to semifinals in Paris
