16 Sep 2016

Successful on home soil in Beijing; the title retained in London, once again the Women’s Team Class 1-3 gold medal adorned the necks of China’s Li Qian and Liu Jing, the only difference to the two previous successes being the fact that Xue Juan was included in the line-up.

Arguably the inclusion of the 26 year old from Beijing made the Chinese outfit even stronger than at the immediate two preceding Games; earlier in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games she had proved herself a most worthy competitor. She won the Women’s Singles Class 3 title.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

On the afternoon of Friday 16th February, Liu Jing was not needed to extol her skills as a two matches to nil win was posted against the Croatian combination formed by Helena Dretar-Karic and Andela Muzinic.

Li Qian and Xue Juan beat Helena Dretar-Karic and Andela Muzinic in three straight games (11-6, 11-2, 11-4), before Li Qian concluded matters by beating Andela Muzinic in a four games contest (11-3, 11-5, 11-13, 11-5).

Doubles defeat

Gold for China; it was bronze for Korea who completed the recovery of the day.

Confronting Italy, Lee Mi-Gyu and Yeon Jiyu suffered a five games doubles defeat at the hands of Giada Rossi and Michela Brunelli (11-9, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-6).

One recovery after another

Immediately, Korea levelled thanks to the efforts of Yoon Jiyu; she accounted for Giada Rossi in three straight games (11-6, 11-9, 11-1).

One recovery to level matters; there was another to win the contest. Seo Suyeon recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Michela Brunelli and secure a Korean victory (7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8).

Backhand effective

“After I lost the second game I made some changes; when I played from my backhand I pushed the ball much harder; whenever possible I tried to put more backspin on the ball”, explained Seo Suyeon. “Also when I served, I served with my backhand and with backspin.”

It is the first medal won at a Paralympic by any of the three members of the Korean outfit.

 

Paralympics Li Qian Giada Rossi XUE Juan Andela Muzinic Yoon Jiyu Lee Migyu Helena Dretar Karic Seo Suyeon Micela Brunelli