CHINESE PADDLERS WIN MIXED DOUBLES AT ASIAN TABLE TENNIS

Kuai Man (L) and Lin Shidong of China win the mixed doubles title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 12, 2024. /CFP

Lin Shidong and Kuai Man of China battled from behind to defeat Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) 9-11, 12-10, 11-9, 15-13 in the mixed doubles final at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Saturday, winning China's second title at the continental competition.

Ri and Kim made their impact felt by knocking out Japanese favorites Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata, and giving Chinese gold medalists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha a tough battle at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics in August.

The DPRK duo beat Paris 2024 bronze medalists Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin of South Korea in the semifinals in Kazakhstan's capital.

Ri and Kim gave Lin and Kuai stymied in the first game, leading 10-6. Although the Chinese pair were resilient enough to cut the deficit to one point, they failed to reverse the momentum, and dropped the next game to trail 1-0 in the match.

The two sides continued to exchange leads in the second game, before Lin and Kuai tied things at 10-10 with a lucky bounce, and then converted back-to-back points to level the contest at 1-1.

Kuai Man (L) and Lin Shidong of China win the mixed doubles title at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 12, 2024. /CFP

After adjusting to the opposing duo's style of play, the Chinese pair tied the third game at 7-7, before surging into the lead. The DPRK side pushed back to level things at 9-9, but Lin and Kuai grabbed consecutive points to claim the game and seize a 2-1 lead.

China's paddlers earned two match points after jumping out to a 10-8 in the fourth game, but continued to miss out on the decisive play until the score reached 14-13, when Lin and Kuai refused to let the opportunity slip away again and secured the title.

- CGTN