ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships 2024: People's Republic of China captures record-extending 23rd women’s title

Table tennis powerhouse China claimed their sixth consecutive title with a 3-2 win over a tenacious Japanese side in Busan, Republic of Korea on Saturday (24 February). 

3 minBy Ockert de Villiers

China overcame a relentless Japanese side to claim their sixth consecutive title at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals with a 3-2 win over Japan in Busan, Republic of Korea, on Saturday (24 February).

The two nations met each other for the fifth consecutive time in the women’s team final, with the result again going the way of China for a record-extending 23 title. However, the Chinese did not have it all their way, with the gutsy Japanese paddlers pushing the tie into the fifth and final match.

Reigning singles world champion Sun Yingsha set the benchmark for the Chinese team with a swift dismantling of Japan’s Miwa Harimoto in the opening match with an 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 win. Harimoto showed signs of resistance, but Sun proved too strong, giving China a 1-0 advantage.

The second match between Olympic champion Chen Meng and Japanese star Hina Hayata delivered fireworks and a good dollop of drama. Hayata claimed her first win over Chen in eight encounters with a 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 14-12 triumph.

Hayata, ranked two places below Chen on the global rankings, stretched her opponent, fighting her way back into the contest and winning the last three games to level the scores between the two nations.

Chen won the opening game without too much fuss, suggesting the contest would again be a one-way traffic affair. But the tenacious Hayata clawed her way back, winning the second and third nail-biting games.

The fourth game was an even closer affair, with Chen saving four match points before Hayata found the breakthrough for an impressive victory.

The upsets continued with Miu Hirano beating world number two Wang Yidi in straight games to put Japan in the driving seat with two matches to go. Ranked 16 places below Wang, Miu bared her teeth to claim an 11-8, 13-11, 12-10 win.

In the fourth match, Hayata walked into the arena with the chance to secure Japan their first world team title since 1971. However, another challenge loomed in the form of world number one, Sun.

Sun showed why she is the dominant force in the women's game at the moment, beating Hayata in straight games, 11-2, 11-7, 11-6, to force the stalemate. The pressure then fell upon the 15-year-old shoulders of Harimoto, facing Chen in the deciding match of the tie.

Against all odds, Harimoto won the first game of the contest in an emphatic fashion with an 11-3 win. But Chen showed her class to fight her way back, winning the last three games to seal the victory for China with a 4-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 triumph.