Korean Men’s Table Tennis Team Claims Bronze Medal at PyeongChang Asian Table Tennis Championships
Despite their valiant efforts, the Korean men’s table tennis team fell short in their quest to surpass China’s dominance and settled for the bronze medal in the team event at the 2023 PyeongChang Asian Table Tennis Championships. The tournament, held at the Pyeongchang Dome in Gangwon Province, saw Jang Woo-jin, Lim Jong-hoon, and Ahn Jae-hyeon of the Korean team suffer a 0-3 defeat against China in the semifinals on the fourth day of the competition.
Joining Woo-jin Jang (ranked 9th), Jong-hoon Lim (ranked 17th), and Jae-hyeon Ahn (ranked 40th) were Junseong Oh (ranked 91st, Mirae Asset Securities) and Kang-Hyun Park (ranked 178th, Korea Water Resources Corporation). With their loss in the semifinals, South Korea secured the bronze medal, as there is no third or fourth place match in this round.
This defeat marks a setback for the Korean team, which had clinched the gold medal in the men’s team event at the 2021 Doha Games. The absence of China from that competition due to COVID-19 quarantine measures worked to Korea’s advantage. However, the tables turned this time, and it is the first time in eight years since the 2015 Pattaya Games that Korea has failed to advance beyond the semifinals in the men’s team event. At the 2017 Wuxi Games and the 2019 Yogyakarta Games, the Korean team had secured silver medals in the finals.
Despite this disappointment, the Korean male players remain determined to excel in the individual events, including singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles.
In the fight for the title of Asian champion, China will face Taiwan, who secured their spot by defeating India 3-0. This highly anticipated match will take place at 7 pm.
Strong Performances but Defeat for Jang Woo-jin and Lim Jong-hoon
Before the match, coach Sae-Hyeok Joo of the Korean men’s national team displayed his ambition to overcome China by assigning Jang Woo-jin as the sole representative in the singles event.
On the Chinese side, coach Wang Hao opted for their rising star, Wang Chuqin (ranked 2nd), to compete in the singles event. The Chinese team dominated the front row with their world-class players.
Although Jang Woo-jin showed impressive skills, showcasing strong and unpredictable attacks, he ultimately lost to Wang Chuqin in a hard-fought match that ended 1-3 (7-11 11-9 6-11 7-11).
Lim Jong-hoon, who played in the second singles match, displayed his prowess against Pan Jeon-dung but narrowly lost 2-3 (6-11 11-3 11-8 4-11 6-11). Despite winning two or three games in a row with his quick one-beat backhand, Lim was unable to secure the victory.
Interestingly, the Lim Jong-hoon-Pan Zhen-dong match was the only one in the men’s team event where China was pushed to a fifth game. This highlights the Korean team’s determination and resilience throughout the tournament.
China, who did not participate in the Doha tournament, breezed through the qualifiers and entered the men’s team event with a relaxed state of mind. They effortlessly clinched victory after victory, finishing every match with a perfect score of 3-0. In the third singles match, Ahn Jae-hyun struggled to overcome the skilled finesse of Marung and suffered a 0-3 defeat (10-12 5-11 8-11).
Although the Korean men’s team fell short of their objective, their performance throughout the championship demonstrates their tenacity and potential for future success. They will now shift their focus towards the individual events, hoping to secure more medals in the upcoming matches.
▲ Lim Jong-hun shakes hands with Pan Jeon-dung after losing at the end of a great game. Provided by the PyeongChang Asian Championship Organizing Committee Korean men’s table tennis failed to surpass China’s “Great Wall” and won the bronze medal in the team event at the 2023 PyeongChang Asian Table Tennis Championships.
Korea’s Jang Woo-jin (Invincible), Lim Jong-hoon, and Ahn Jae-hyeon (Korea Exchange) lost to China 0-3 in the men’s team semifinals on the 4th day of the tournament held at Pyeongchang Dome in Gangwon Province on the 6th
In addition to Woojin Jang (9th), Jong-Hun Lim (17th), Jae-Hyun Ahn (40th), Junseong Oh (91st, Mirae Asset Securities), and Kang-Hyun Park (178th, Korea Water Resources Corporation), South Korea finished third with a loss on the day. All losing teams in the semi-finals without a 3rd or 4th place match will be awarded bronze medals.
Korea, which won the men’s team event at the 2021 Doha Games, where China did not participate due to quarantine issues with the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19), failed to win its second tournament in a row. It is the first time in eight years since the 2015 Pattaya Games that Korea has been eliminated from the semi-finals in the men’s team event. South Korea won silver medals in the finals at the 2017 Wuxi Games and the 2019 Yogyakarta Games.
Korean male players continue to seek medals in individual events such as singles, mixed doubles and men’s doubles.
China will clash with Taiwan, who won after beating India 3-0, for the title of Asian champion at 7 pm
On this day, coach Sae-Hyeok Joo of the men’s national team showed his will to break through directly by promoting ace Woo-jin Jang as a single runner.
Wang Hao, coach of the Chinese men’s national team, dispatched ‘next generation ace’ Wang Chuqin (2nd place) in singles, while filling the front row with world no.
Jang Woo-jin performed well, winning two matches with strong attacks and irregular attacks, but eventually lost to Wang Chu-qin 1-3 (7-11 11-9 6-11 7-11).
Lim Jong-hoon, who started the second singles match, played a full match with Pan Jeon-dung, and lost 2-3 (6-11 11-3 11-8 4-11 6-11). He took 2 or 3 games by pressing with a quick one-beat backhand, but was unable to win.
In the men’s team event of this tournament, the Lim Jong-hoon-Pan Zhen-dong match was the only one where China went all the way to 5 games.
China, which did not participate in the Doha tournament and played the men’s team event of the qualifiers for this tournament, played every match after the first match of the qualifier against Saudi Arabia (China won 3-1 in 1 and 2 game) in a relaxed state Finished with a ‘perfect win’ which made the game score 3-0 with only a score of 3-0. In the 3rd singles, Ahn Jae-hyun could not overcome the skillful beauty of Marung and lost 0-3 (10-12 5-11 8-11). random news
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