One year ago today, Chen Meng etched her name into Olympic immortality. In a thrilling women’s singles final that had everything – momentum swings, breathtaking rallies, and championship heart – the defending champion defeated world No. 1 Sun Yingsha 4-2 to become only the third player in table tennis history to win back-to-back Olympic singles gold medals.
With her 4-2 victory (4-11, 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6), Chen Meng joined an exclusive club previously occupied only by Chinese legends Deng Yaping (1992, 1996) and Zhang Yining (2004, 2008). The achievement was all the more remarkable given that she faced the world’s best player in Sun Yingsha, who had dominated the sport in recent years.
The match was a masterclass in Olympic finals tennis – a see-saw battle that showcased the very best of women’s table tennis. After Sun Yingsha’s dominant 11-4 opening game, Chen Meng showed exactly why she’s considered one of the sport’s greatest champions, fighting back with games of 11-7 and 11-4 to seize control.
When Sun Yingsha levelled the match at 2-2 with an 11-9 fourth game victory, the arena held its breath. This was the moment that would define legacies – could the world No. 1 finally capture her elusive Olympic singles gold, or would the defending champion’s experience prove decisive?
Chen Meng’s response was emphatic. The fifth game, won 11-9, demonstrated the championship mentality. Under the ultimate pressure, with the weight of defending her title and Sun Yingsha’s relentless pursuit, Chen Meng found another level.
The sixth and final game was a coronation. An 11-6 victory that sealed not just another Olympic gold medal, but a place amongst the sport’s all-time greats.
Hayata’s Bronze Medal Breakthrough
Earlier in the day, Japan’s Hina Hayata had secured the bronze medal with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Korea Republic’s Shin Yubin. The match showcased Hayata’s tactical intelligence and resilience, as she recovered from losing the opening game to win four of the next five.
Hayata’s bronze marked Japan’s second consecutive Olympic women’s singles medal, following Mima Ito’s bronze in Tokyo 2020. For the Japanese star making her Olympic debut, it was the perfect way to announce herself on the sport’s biggest stage.
Shin Yubin, despite the defeat, could reflect on a remarkable Olympic campaign that included mixed doubles bronze and her historic run to the singles semifinals – the first Korean player to achieve this feat since 2004.
A Final for the Ages
The women’s singles final was a repeat of the Tokyo 2020 showdown, but the narrative had shifted. Sun Yingsha arrived as the world No. 1 and reigning world champion, already an Olympic champion in mixed doubles, seeking to complete her collection with singles gold.
Despite the defeat, Sun Yingsha’s performance in the final was nothing short of exceptional. Her opening game demolition of Chen Meng at 11-4 showcased exactly why she has dominated the sport in recent years. When she fought back to level the match at 2-2, it seemed her moment had finally arrived.
Her journey to the final included dominant performances that reminded everyone why she’s considered one of the greatest talents the sport has ever seen. Though the Olympic singles gold continues to elude her, Sun Yingsha’s time at the summit of the sport is far from over.
Chen Meng, ranked fourth in the world, entered as the experienced campaigner with a strong head-to-head record against her younger compatriot. Their rivalry had defined women’s table tennis in recent years, and this final was the culmination of that compelling story.
Looking back one year later, Chen Meng’s victory stands as a masterpiece of Olympic competition. In an era where Sun Yingsha had established herself as the dominant force in women’s table tennis, Chen Meng proved that experience, mental strength, and championship pedigree can overcome even the most formidable opposition.
For Sun Yingsha, the gold medal continues to elude her in singles, but her time will surely come. For Chen Meng, 10 August 2024 was the day she joined table tennis royalty – a back-to-back Olympic champion whose legacy will inspire generations of players to come.
