Olympics: South Korea takes women's team table tennis bronze

Monday 18 August 2008

BEIJING - South Korea stormed past Japan 3-0 to win the women's team table tennis bronze medal play-off on Sunday, ending any hope the Japanese had of ending their 20-year medal drought in the sport.

Kim Kyung-Ah, who won a singles bronze medal at the Athens Olympics, got the ball rolling for the Koreans by overcoming Sayaka Hirano 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10.

The popular Ai Fukuhara, ranked 12 in the world, then lost to Chinese-born Dang Ye-Seo 11-4, 13-12, 7-11, 11-3 before Kim paired with Park Mi-Young in the doubles to beat Hirano and Haruna Fukuoka 11-6, 11-8, 13-11.

China, who are unbeaten since the team event was added to the Olympic programme in 1988, defeated Singapore 3-0 in the final to win the gold medal.

In the men's team tournament, South Korea steamed past Hong Kong to book their place in the bronze medal play-off where they will meet Austria.

The Koreans beat Hong 3-1 with Oh Sang-Eun powering past Cheung Yuk before veteran Li Ching evened it up with an upset win over Athens singles champion Ryu Seung-Min.

Yoon Jae-Young and Ryu Seung-Min put Korea back on track with a doubles victory over Li Ching and Ko Lai Chak before Ko lost to Oh in the decisive fourth game.

Austria beat Japan 3-1 in the other match. The final on Monday sees favourites China take on Germany.