In a remarkable display of skill and determination, China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha captured the Mixed Doubles gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The top-seeded pair triumphed over DPR Korea’s Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong with a 4-2 victory (11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8) in a final that captivated the audience from start to finish.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, joined by ITTF President Petra Sörling and IOC Member Ryu Seungmin, was among the distinguished guests in attendance for the historic Mixed Doubles gold medal match. The trio witnessed firsthand the thrilling encounter between China and DPR Korea, as well as the earlier bronze medal match.
The World No.1 duo added this prestigious Olympic gold to their extensive list of accolades, including ITTF World Championship titles and WTT Grand Slam victories. Their seasoned partnership proved resilient against the spirited challenge from Ri and Kim, the dark horses of the event.
“We’re very happy to win this gold medal. We’ve put in a lot over the last three years working for this win, from our coaches to our support staff in every area. I’m thankful to my partner for all the work we put in over the last three years. We’ve known each other since we were kids and grew up together. We’re pleased with the result today, and hope we’ll be able to continue to do well in the coming events,” said Sun Yingsha.
The final began with China quickly taking the lead 1-0, but DPR Korea responded by winning the second game 11-7, demonstrating their tenacity. Ri’s pimpled backhand proved a formidable weapon, even managing to neutralize Wang’s powerful forehands at times. However, Wang and Sun regained control, securing the next two games and moving closer to victory.
DPR Korea fought back by taking the fifth game, keeping their hopes for gold alive. The sixth game turned into a nail-biting encounter, with Sun Yingsha showcasing exceptional precision under pressure. Ultimately, China prevailed, securing the top spot on the podium.
Reflecting on their triumph, Wang Chuqin said, “Winning this Mixed Doubles gold does feel like a rock has been lifted from our shoulders. But there are still many more rocks, and I hope we’ll be able to successfully defend the other titles.”
This victory marks a significant comeback for China, who were unable to achieve a clean sweep of gold medals in Tokyo 2020 due to a defeat in the Mixed Doubles to Japan’s Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito. With this win, they have set a strong precedent for the ongoing table tennis events in Paris.
Earlier in the day, Korea Republic secured the bronze medal. Shin Yubin and Lim Jonghoon displayed outstanding form, defeating Hong Kong, China’s Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem 4-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-7, 14-12). After their narrow loss to Wang and Sun in the semifinals, Shin and Lim showcased resilience and skill, securing the bronze with a dominant performance.
As the Mixed Doubles event concludes, the focus now shifts to the singles and team events. The Paris 2024 table tennis competition continues to promise thrilling matches and exceptional displays of talent. Key upcoming events include the Women’s Singles Gold Medal Match on 3 August at 14:30, the Men’s Singles Gold Medal Match on 4 August at 14:30, the Men’s Team Gold Medal Match on 9 August at 15:00, and the Women’s Team Gold Medal Match on 10 August at 15:00 (all times GMT+2). View the draw for the rest of the competition here.
