National Games: tight contest between Wang Chuqin, Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting warms hearts

The rivalry between the world’s No 1 table tennis player, Wang Chuqin, and Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting from Wednesday’s tense National Games match has translated into fans’ “heartwarming” comments on the pair’s friendship online.

Wang won the men’s singles match narrowly by four games to three (11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5) in Macau to make his way into the next round, but the two shared a handshake and a pat on the shoulder after the match – just the latest in multiple meetings between them.

“He’s particularly brilliant at big games: the larger the venue, the more impressive,” Wang told reporters when asked what he was talking to Wong about immediately after their match. Meanwhile, Wong walked past the interview and the two exchanged knowing smiles.

“We also played against each other at the Asian Games and that was intense. I felt I was losing then,” Wang added. “I was quite intimidated by Wong’s performance today; I don’t think I’m prepared enough.”

Wong joked that he did want to see Wang at the Games but did not want to play against him, and recalled that he was particularly encouraged by spectators who chanted their support in Cantonese, telling him to “hang on” in the penultimate game.

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