China retains the men's team title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships-Xinhua

Team China attends the awards ceremony after winning the men's team final between China and Chinese Taipei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

ASTANA, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) — China defended its title in the men's team event with a 3-1 win over Chinese Taipei at the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships on Thursday.

In the semi-final against South Korea, Wang Chuqin picked up two points as China triumphed 3-1 to set up the title race against Chinese Taipei, who rolled past India 3-0.

Wang once again became China's main driving force in the final, as world No. 1 dispatched Kao Cheng-Jui 3–0 to give his team an early lead.

Teenager Lin Shidong doubled China's lead by beating Chinese Taipei kingpin Lin Yun-Ju 3-1.

Although Liang Jingkun lost a full-game thriller to Huang Yan-Cheng, Wang pulled off a 1-11, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 comeback win over Lin in the fourth set to clinch the title defense of China to secure. .

“A new Olympic cycle, a new team, we achieved a good result in the team event,” said Wang, who also complimented his 19-year-old teammate Lin.

“He played great at the Asian Championships so far, including at the recent World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash and Champions Macao, showing his consistent form and fulfilling his role in the team event,” Wang said. “As for myself, through these team matches I became better and better and found a familiar feeling and willingness as before on the field.”

After advancing through their 16-match mixed doubles round earlier on Thursday, the two Chinese pairs of Lin Shidong/Kuai Man and Lin Gaoyuan/Wang Yidi fared differently in the quarterfinals, with Lin/Kuai getting past Cho Dae-seong/Kim Na- Yeong of South Korea in back-to-back matches, while Lin/Wang fell 3-1 to another South Korean duo Lim Jong-hoon/Shin Yu-bin.

In Friday's semi-final, Lin/Kuai will play Ham Yu Song/Pyon Song Gyong from North Korea.

Team China attends the awards ceremony after winning the men's team final between China and Chinese Taipei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin of China serves against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei during the men's team final between China and Chinese Tapei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua )

Lin Shidong (L) of China competes against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei during the men's team final between China and Chinese Taipei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

Liang Jingkun of China returns to Huang Yan-Cheng of Chinese Taipei during the men's team final between China and Chinese Taipei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov /Xinhua)

Lin Shidong (R) of China competes against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei during the men's team final between China and Chinese Taipei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

Wang Chuqin of China celebrates a point as he competes against Kao Cheng-Jui of Chinese Taipei during the men's team final between China and Chinese Taipei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)

Lin Shidong (L) of China competes against Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei during the men's team final between China and Chinese Taipei at the 27th ITTF Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 10, 2024. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua)