Mizutani/Ito bag home table tennis mixed doubles gold at Tokyo Olympics
2021-07-26
Mima Ito of Japan and Jun Mizutani of Japan (in red) in action against Xu Xin of China and Liu Shiwen of China on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
TOKYO -- Japanese pair Jun Mizutani/Mima Ito bagged home a historic gold medal in table tennis mixed doubles after upsetting China's Xu Xin/Liu Shiwen in a seven-set thriller at the Tokyo Olympic Games here on Monday.
It is Japan's first Olympic gold medal in table tennis, after having bagged two silver and two bronze.
The mixed doubles event makes its debut on Olympic stage this time in Tokyo, seeing top two seeds advance to the final as expected.
Reigning world champion Xu and Liu heated quick into the game, going ahead 11-5, 11-7 after two sets.
However, the host pair put on a fierce fightback from there, winning 11-8, 11-9, 11-9 in the next three sets to turn the tides.
Despite taking away the sixth set 11-6 to force a decider, Xu and Liu could not maintain their momentum afterward, seeing Japanese rivals race ahead 8-0 en route to 11-6.
Mima Ito of Japan and Jun Mizutani of Japan pump their fists as they react during their match against Xu Xin of China and Liu Shiwen of China on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
Xu Xin of China and Liu Shiwen of China in action against Mima Ito of Japan and Jun Mizutani of Japan on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
Xu Xin of China and Liu Shiwen of China in action against Mima Ito of Japan and Jun Mizutani of Japan on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
TMima Ito of Japan and Jun Mizutani of Japan in action against Xu Xin of China and Liu Shiwen of China on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
Xu Xin of China and Liu Shiwen of China (in black) in action against Mima Ito of Japan and Jun Mizutani of Japan on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
Supporters of China wave flags from the stands ahead of the table tennis mixed doubles Gold medal match on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
Xu Xin of China and Liu Shiwen of China (in black) celebrate winning a point against Mima Ito of Japan and Jun Mizutani of Japan on July 26, 2021, Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Agencies]
