Asian Games 2023: Hong Kong’s Wong ends city’s table tennis losing streak with bronze in men’s singles
- Wong Chun-ting claims city’s first medal in singles since 2006 Games in Doha
- Says he hopes achievement in Hangzhou will inspire the next generation of athletes
Wong Chun-ting hopes securing the city’s first individual Asian Games table tennis medal in 17 years will prove an inspiration to his teammates and those who come after him.
The Hongkonger took bronze in Hangzhou on Monday after losing 4-2 in the men’s singles semi-final to China’s Wang Chuqin.
And in doing so, he helped maintain Hong Kong’s streak of winning at least one medal at the Games since Beijing in 1990, and its first in singles since Li Ching’s bronze at the Doha Games in 2006.
“Whether it is the Hong Kong team or the junior team, I hoped this is going to be an inspiration for them,” the 32-year-old Wong said. “I hope my spirit in training and competition can be an example for them.”
The world No 49 was guaranteed a maiden Games medal last Saturday after knocking out Taiwan’s star player Lin Yun-ju in a 4-3 thriller in the quarter-finals.
A loss to Wang, the world No 2, at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Gymnasium ended his Games, but the new father said he was satisfied, but “still emotional”.
