Hong Kong’s women’s table tennis team has won the city’s first-ever bronze medal match in the event, defeating paddlers from Germany.
The Hong Kong trio dashed and hugged in a circle after their historic win.
The team of Doo Hoi-kem, Lee Ho-ching and Minnie Soo Wai-yam won 3-1 against Germany’s Shan Xiaona, Petrissa Solja and Han Ying.
Germany took the lead after Shan and Solja overcame the Hong Kong duo Lee and Doo in the opening doubles match.
The Germany duo lost only one game, taking the victory by 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, and 15-13.
However, Hong Kong’s Soo and Doo made their comeback to a 3-1 win after winning all three singles matches, snatching bronze.
Soo strolled to a 3-1 victory against Han after taking match two by 12-10, 9-11, 11-9, and 11-7, before Doo overpowered Germany’s Solja 3-0 by 11-5, 11-6, and 11-9.
Soo then secured Hong Kong’s bronze medal in match 4, winning three games straight by 12-10, 13-11, and 11-7.
“I still couldn’t believe what had happened today,” Hong Kong’s Soo said.
“After I win the match, I still feel that it’s totally unbelievable... yeah, this is definitely the best day of my life.”
“Once isolation is over, I’d dash straight back home to my family and have a meal with them,” 24-year-old paddler Doo said.
Reigning champion China and 2016 Rio team bronze medallists Japan will vie for women’s team gold late on Thursday.
