China’s women's table tennis team gears up for Jakarta

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01:21

One of the highlights for Chinese fans during the upcoming 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia will be table tennis. The Chinese team, the winner of six out of seven gold medals in the Incheon games in 2014, is looking to continue that form in Jakarta by bringing a newer, younger line-up.

The team is holding a behind-closed-doors training session in Chengdu, southwest China before flying to Jakarta. The women's team is made up of Zhu Yuling, Chen Meng, Wang Manyu, Chen Xingtong, and Sun Yingsha. Among them, only Zhu and Chen have experience in international events, while the other three will make their major competition debut at the Asian Games.

Li Sun, the head coach of the women’s team, said, “Although our players are very young, we believe they have the ability to compete in the Asian Games.”

Wang Manyu of China in action against compatriot Liu Shiwen during the women's semi-final match on day three of the ITTF World Tour LION Japan Open Ogimura Cup on June 10, 2018. /VCG File Photo

“There is no such thing as veterans or rookies, as long as we send our team out there, the only goal is to win the title,” Li added.

The Asian Games have the same competition program as at the Tokyo Olympics, with singles, team events, doubles and mixed doubles. Wang Manyu, 19, will be competing in the team events, doubles and mixed doubles.

“There are many opponents whom I've never met before. And for those I've already played in previous events, my training is more like target training. I think I've improved a lot recently,” Wang said.

The table tennis competition will be taking place from August 26 to Sept. 1, and the Chinese team is focusing on enhancing players' physical ability and technical skills before taking to the tables in Jakarta.