Hong Kong send Asian Games table tennis warning after Europe Smash silver linings

A trio of silvers from the prestigious World Table Tennis Europe Smash has signalled Hong Kong’s potential for Asian Games glory, as the countdown to next month’s Japanese multi-sport spectacular intensifies.

The three-medal haul is the city squad’s best from a major tournament, although Wong Chun-ting and the seriously promising Baldwin Chan Ho-wah were unable to repeat their golden performance in Sweden 12 months ago, after they ran into inspired French brothers Alexis and Felix Lebrun in a one-sided final in Sweden.

Wong and Doo Hoi-kem, in the mixed doubles, and the women’s doubles pair of Doo and junior partner Pedrey Ng Wing-lam also had to settle for second best.

But Li Ching, the Hong Kong head coach, said the performances of Chan, 21, and 22-year-old Ng in particular showed Hong Kong’s capacity to compete in both the immediate and distant future for the sport’s biggest prizes.

“It’s still about using our veterans to lead and inspire their younger teammates, so that we’re able to maintain our competitiveness for the next five to 10 years,” Li said.

“Teams around the world used to focus more on singles and team events, which are still singles in practice. Doubles is now really in the mix, so I think the competition will be even greater in future.”

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