China has solidified its dominance in women’s table tennis by securing a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal. In a thrilling final against Japan China emerged victorious. South Korea beat Germany in the match for the bronze medal. The match began with a closely contested doubles encounter as CHEN Meng and WANG Manyu faced off against Hina HAYATA and Miwa HARIMOTO. The Chinese pair ultimately prevailed setting the tone for the match. SUN Yingsha then extended China’s lead with a commanding 3-0 victory over Miu HIRANO putting immense pressure on Japan. The final game saw WANG Manyu secure the gold medal for China with a commanding 3-1 (12-14 12-10 11-7 11-6) win over Miwa HARIMOTO. THIS victory marks the first time the same three players – SUN Yingsha WANG Manyu and CHEN Meng – have won consecutive Olympic gold medals in the women’s team event.

By reaching the semifinals Germany’s women created a sensation at the Olympic Games in Paris. However they fell short of achieving a table tennis miracle in the end. The team coached by Tamara BOROS lost 0-3 to the strong favorites South Korea in the match for the bronze medal. Annett KAUFMANN Yuan WAN and Xiaona SHAN however concluded the Olympic tournament as the best European team finishing in an outstanding fourth place. The most important thing first: today’s defeat does not diminish the brilliant performances of the trio KAUFMANN SHAN and WAN; on the contrary the final fourth place with the splendid victories over the USA and India is far more than expected especially considering that world-class defensive player Ying HAN who suffered her second Achilles tendon rupture within six months just before the Olympic Games and top player Nina MITTELHAM who was injured during the singles competition (due to disc issues) were absent. For women’s national coach Tamara BOROS pride in her protégées’ achievements far outweighed the disappointment of the defeat: “Unfortunately we didn’t win a medal but this fourth place by my girls makes me really proud. This is a very good result. We need some time now and have to calm down. Then we can continue working towards the next four years.” The trio with Olympic debutants Annett KAUFMANN (who replaced Ying HAN after her injury in early July) and Yuan WAN (who joined the team during the tournament following Nina MITTELHAM’S injury) alongside 41-year-old three-time Olympian Xiaona SHAN became a close-knit group in Paris. Tirelessly motivated and driven by head coach Tamara BOROS a veteran and two substitutes believed in their chances until the end no matter who the opponent was. At the same time talent Annett KAUFMANN raised her level of play to world-class while doubles specialist Yuan WAN alongside Xiaona SHAN impressively demonstrated her significant progress in recent months. Xiaona SHAN also delivered her full potential in the doubles. Despite all the pride in their achievements tears understandably flowed after the defeat and the dashed dream of a bronze medal especially for Yuan WAN and Xiaona SHAN who narrowly lost the crucial opening doubles match. Annett KAUFMANN comforted her teammates: “We are a team. We win and lose together. And when one of us is down we try to lift her spirits encourage her and sometimes even open her eyes because we often only focus on the negatives. We must also realize that we came here with a substitute team. Yuan and I weren’t originally planned to play. The fact that we still reached fourth place is something we need to acknowledge.” Bronze medal match Korea – Germany 3-0 Yubin SHIN/Jihee JEON – Yuan WAN/Xiaona SHAN 3-2 (11-6 11-8 8-11 10-12 11-8) Eunhye LEE – Annett KAUFMANN 3-0 (11-8 11-9 11-2) Jihee JEON – Xiaona SHAN 3-0 (11-6 11-6 11-6)

Team China has won the Men’s Teams gold medal in the final of the Men’s Team Event at the Paris Olympic Games for the fifth straight time defeating Sweden 3-0. This victory also propelled MA Long to become the athlete with the most Olympic gold medals of any Chinese athlete in any sport! Kristian KARLSSON Anton KÄLLBERG and Truls MÖREGÅRDH were outplayed by WANG Chuqin and FAN Zhendong ranked first and second in the world along with the sixth-ranked MA Long. The highest-ranked player on the Swedish team is Truls MÖREGÅRDH who is ranked tenth. The doubles match between KÄLLBERG/KARLSSON and LONG/CHUQIN started in favor of the Swedish side before the “Red Dragon” began to assert its dominance. The Chinese team won two straight games before KÄLLBERG/KARLSSON won the fourth to push for a decider. In the decisive fifth set LONG/CHUQIN proved stronger once again. Despite Sweden saving three match points the Chinese took the lead in the match. In Sunday’s rematch between MÖREGÅRDH and FAN we saw the same outcome but with a much closer result. The silver medalist surprised with a varied game and won the first set. MÖREGÅRDH was close in the second game as well but narrowly lost. The same happened in the third before MÖREGÅRDH fought back in the fourth (13–11). In another decisive game the Chinese player shifted into another gear and secured a 2-0 lead in the match. Finally Kristian KARLSSON faced the world number one WANG Chuqin and after five games it was all over. WANG Chuqin surged to a 2-0 lead. Karlsson made a huge comeback in the third and fourth games (both 12–10) but the Chinese player easily wrapped up the match in the fifth game with an 11–2 victory. With that the match – 3-0 – and the Olympic gold were once again in the hands of the definitive powerhouse of table tennis. “I think we should be immensely proud. We pushed China as much as we could but they are insanely strong ” said Truls MÖREGÅRDH to Max. Earlier France beat Japan to secure the bronze medal. Gold medal match: China – Sweden Long MA/Chuqin WANG – Anton KALLBERG/Kristian KARLSSON 3-2 (8-11 11-4 11-3 6-11 11-7) Zhendong FAN – Truls MOREGARD 3-2 (10-12 11-8 11-9 11-13 11-5) Chuqin WANG – Kristian KARLSSON 3-2 (11-9 11-5 10-12 10-12 11-2)

In a match for the ages France have secured the bronze medal in the men’s team event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games defeating Japan 3-2. This is France’s first-ever medal in the Team event at the Olympics. Félix LEBRUN has made history becoming the first French athlete to win two Olympic medals before the age of 18. After a tough defeat in the semi-finals against the Chinese favorites the French trio bounced back in the decisive fifth match against Japan who were themselves bronze medalists in Tokyo 2020. The final match between Felix LEBRUN and Hiroto SHINOZUKA was a heart-stopping encounter that will be remembered by many French fans. Felix LEBRUN already a singles bronze medalist was on the brink of victory holding match point at 10-9 in the fifth game. However SHINOZUKA displaying incredible resilience saved the point and extended the match to 12-12. In a dramatic climax LEBRUN finally converted his fourth match point to seal the victory for France. From the very start the match delivered plenty of drama. The French duo of Simon GAUZY and Alexis LEBRUN got the Blues off to a strong start winning their match 3-1. However Félix LEBRUN ranked 5th in the world faced a challenging match against Japan’s Tomokazu HARIMOTO ranked just four places behind him. It took Félix five games and three match points to secure the victory handing over a 2-0 lead to his brother. Trouble began when Alexis LEBRUN struggled against Shunsuke TOGAMI ultimately losing 1-3. His doubles partner Simon GAUZY faced similar difficulties against Tomokazu HARIMOTO despite several comebacks losing 1-3. The fifth and final match was more complicated than expected for France. Félix LEBRUN faced Hiroto SHINOZUKA ranked 42nd in the world in a tense match. After dominating the first two games Félix faltered in the third but ultimately secured victory in the fourth set. At just 17 years old Félix the youngest member of the team clinched the victory. The French crowd erupted in jubilation as their team secured the bronze medal on home soil. Men’s Team Bronze Medal Team Match France – Japan 3-2 Simon GAUZY/Alexis LEBRUN – Hiroto SHINOZUKA/Shunsuke TOGAMI 3-1 (11-5 11-7 5-11 11-6) Felix LEBRUN – Tomokazu HARIMOTO 3-2 (11-13 11-4 9-11 11-6 12-10) Alexis LEBRUN – Shunsuke TOGAMI 1-3 (8-11 9-11 11-9 9-11) Simon GAUZY – Tomokazu HARIMOTO 1-3 (8-11 11-8 8-11 12-14) Felix LEBRUN – Hiroto SHINOZUKA 3-1 (11-7 11-7 12-14 13-11)

Thursday’s action at South Paris Arena 4 has set up a thrilling Gold Medal match in the Women’s Team event for Saturday at Paris 2024. Just like in Tokyo 2020 China’s Women’s Team will face Japan in a much-anticipated showdown as they battle for gold. China secured their place in the final after a dominant 3-0 victory over Korea Republic. The match began with CHEN Meng and WANG Manyu winning the doubles encounter 3-1 (11-4 11-5 9-11 11-9) against SHIN Yubin and JEON Jihee. SUN Yingsha then extended China’s lead with a commanding 3-0 (11-5 11-1 11-3) victory over LEE Eunhye. WANG Manyu sealed the win defeating JEON Jihee 3-0 (11-3 11-7 11-3) ensuring China’s chance to fight for their fifth consecutive Women’s Team Gold Medal at the Olympics.  In the other semifinal Japan’s Women’s Team advanced to the final with a dramatic 3-1 victory over Germany. The match kicked off with Miu HIRANO and Hina HAYATA securing a 3-1 (11-3 11-3 6-11 11-8) win in the doubles against Xiaona SHAN and Yuan WAN. Germany’s 18-year-old sensation Annett KAUFMANN levelled the score with a stunning 3-0 (11-9 11-8 11-8) victory over world number 8 and 16-year-old Miwa HARIMOTO showing her remarkable talent on the world stage. However Miu HIRANO regained Japan’s lead with a 3-0 (11-7 11-6 11-9) win over Yuan WAN. The tie was decided in the final singles match where Miwa HARIMOTO delivered a dominant 3-0 (11-8 11-5 11-0) victory over Xiaona SHAN securing Japan’s spot in the gold medal match and making HARIMOTO the youngest table tennis medallist at Paris 2024. As we edge closer to the end of table tennis action at South Paris Arena where more than 200 000 fans have created one of the best atmospheres of Paris 2024 two days of thrilling competition remain. Today the Men’s Bronze Medal match between host France and Japan will take place at 10 followed by the gold medal clash between China and Sweden at 15. On Saturday the Women’s Team event will conclude the table tennis competition with Germany facing Korea Republic for bronze at 10 and the Gold Medal match between China and Japan at 15.

The gold medal match in the Men’s team event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is set with Sweden set to face off against table tennis powerhouse China. This showdown comes after Sweden’s upset over Japan and China’s victory against host nation France in the semifinals. Today’s action started with the other Men’s Team Semifinal clash. China a team that has won all the men’s team gold medals since the event’s introduction at the Beijing 2008 Olympics continued their quest for a fifth consecutive title with a hard-fought 3-0 victory over France. The match began with WANG Chuqin and MA Long securing a commanding 3-0 (13-11 11-5 11-2) win against Simon GAUZY and Alexis LEBRUN in the doubles match. FAN Zhendong then extended China’s lead by overcoming a spirited challenge from Félix LEBRUN winning 3-1 (11-3 13-11 8-11 16-14). France’s hopes came to an end when WANG Chuqin sealed China’s place in the final by defeating Alexis LEBRUN 3-1 (7-11 11-8 11-9 11-1). With their victory China moves on to the gold medal match against Sweden while France will battle Japan for the bronze medal on Friday at 10:00. The gold medal match between Sweden and China will take place on Friday 9 August 2024 from 15:00 but there’s still more action today with the Women’s Team semifinals matches getting underway from 15:00 starting with China’s Women taking on Korea Republic before Germany takes on Japan at 20:00.

Sweden had waited 24 years to win a medal at the Olympic Games and now the men’s team will play in their second final within five days. After Truls MÖREGÅRDH clinched silver in the Men’s Singles event Sweden also reached the ultimate stage in the Team event at Paris 2024. From being down 0-2 they pulled back to 2-2. In the decider Tomokazu HARIMOTO led Anton KÄLLBERG 2-0 and was just 11 points away from the final. But with nerves of steel and a pivotal forehand that set Paris alight KÄLLBERG completed the ultimate comeback winning 11-9 in the fifth set. Sweden is now guaranteed their first team medal at the Olympic Games. They will face the winner of France and China for gold. After Hiroto SHINOZUKA and Shunsuke TOGAMI beat Anton KÄLLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON in the opening doubles duel Tomokazu HARIMOTO secured a 2-0 lead with his win over Truls MÖREGÅRDH. During the opening doubles match KARLSSON suffered from a previous calf strain. He was bandaged for his singles match but was disturbed by the bandaging in the first losing set so he threw it away. That became the start of KARLSSON’S and Sweden’s incredible comeback. He changed the course of the match with his victory over Shunsuke TOGAMI before Truls MÖREGÅRDH pushed the match to a decisive point with his victory over Hiroto SHINOZUKA. In the clash between Tomokazu HARIMOTO and Anton KÄLLBERG the Swede was overwhelmed in the first two games but then staged an epic comeback. KÄLLBERG won the next three games clinched it with 11–9 and sent the Swedish team to the final. Semi final: Japan – Sweden 2-3 Hiroto SHINOZUKA/Shunsuke TOGAMI – Anton KÄLLBERG /Kristian KARLSSON 3-1 (8-11 11-9 11-4 11-7) Tomokazu HARIMOTO – Truls MÖREGÅRDH 3-1 (13-11 9-11 11-5 12-10) Shunsuke TOGAMI – Kristian KARLSSON 1-3 (11-7 9-11 9-11 5-11) Hiroto SHINOZUKA – Truls MÖREGÅRDH 1-3 (5-11 6-11 11-5 10-12) Tomokazu HARIMOTO – Anton KÄLLBERG 2-3 (11-5 11-5 7-11 7-11 9-11)

At the Olympic table tennis tournament the French men’s team has secured their place in the semifinals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Brazil. Simon GAUZY and Alexis LEBRUN delivered a strong performance defeating Guilherme TEODORO and Vitor ISHIY 3-0 in the doubles match. Felix LEBRUN fresh from his singles bronze medal win over Hugo CALDERANO continued the momentum with a 3-1 victory over the Brazilian again. Alexis LEBRUN then sealed the deal with a 3-1 win over Vitor ISHIY. The French team buoyed by the home crowd will now face a tough test against China in the semifinals. Brazil -France 0-3 Guilherme TEODORO/Vitor ISHIY – Simon GAUZY/Alexis LEBRUN 0-3 (8-11 9-11 6-11) Hugo CALDERANO – Felix LEBRUN 1-3 (6-11 7-11 13-11 6-11) Vitor ISHIY – Alexis LEBRUN 1-3 (6-11 11-9 5-11 7-11)

Sweden defeated Germany in straight matches to secure their place in the semifinal of the Men’s Teams event at the Olympic Games. Sweden will now face Japan for a spot in the final. The fiercely contested rematch of the 2023 European Championship final was observed by Swedish King Carl GUSTAF and Queen Silvia among many other distinguished guests in the audience. “I don’t know what we should do differently!” said Kristian KARLSSON at the end. Sweden secured a 1-0 lead in doubles. Anton KÄLLBERG and Kristian KARLSSON beat Timo BOLL and European champion Dang QIU in three contested sets. With scores of 12-10 11-8 11-8 the German combination started promisingly but always trailed from the middle of the game. KARLSSON’S placements especially repeatedly posed problems for the Germans in the many spectacular rallies. Fittingly it was also KARLSSON who ended the game with a powerful parallel forehand. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV delivered a world-class performance and ensured Germany could hope for an equalizer until the last rally in the second game of the evening. OVTCHAROV seemed on the verge of victory in a high-class match against Olympic silver medalist Truls MÖREGÅRDH in the fifth and deciding set leading 5-1 and 6-2 but had to let the Swede pass him at 7-7 after a series of high-quality points. In the showdown of the top players it was a return error by OVTCHAROV at 9-10 that sealed the bitter 0-2 deficit for the German team. However OVTCHAROV had briefly seen victory in the fourth set equalizing from a 2-5 deficit to 8-8 before MÖREGÅRDH managed to secure the game equalizer. In the last match a few minutes before the standing ovations from his fans a last forehand by BOLL missed its target by only a few centimeters sealing the narrow 7-11 9-11 11-7 and 8-11 defeat of the 43-year-old star against his Düsseldorf clubmate Anton KÄLLBERG. The third chapter of the classic Germany vs. Sweden match simultaneously shattered the German men’s dream of a fifth consecutive semifinal entry. Timo BOLL reflected on his last thoughts from the match: “At 7-9 I briefly thought it could be coming to an end. I still fought and bit and didn’t give up without a fight. Even the thought didn’t allow me to turn the match around. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough anymore.” Quarterfinal: Germany – Sweden 0-3 BOLL/QIU – KÄLLBERG/KARLSSON 0:3 (-10 -8 -8) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Truls MÖREGARDH 2:3 (-9 8 7 -8 -9) Timo BOLL – Anton KÄLLBERG 1:3 (-7 -9 7 -8)