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SINGAPORE: Singapore has clinched the silver medal in the Olympic women's table tennis team event. It is the nation's first Olympic medal in 48 years.
The gold went to top seed China.
In front of Chinese President Hu Jintao, China won 3-0 for the country's 17th table tennis gold since its national sport was introduced at the 1988 Olympics.
The Chinese team also had the distinction of earning the host nation its 33rd gold of the Beijing Games, surpassing China's previous best tally for a single Games set in Athens in 2004.
Singapore and China played a thrilling final which lasted nearly two hours at the Peking University Sports Stadium on Sunday night.
But despite giving it their best shot, the Singapore trio - comprising captain Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Feng Tianwei - were no match for their opponents, losing 0-3 in the end.
With a lively crowd chanting "Go China Go", veteran Wang Nan - who won her fourth Olympic gold to become the most decorated table tennis player there is - brushed aside Feng 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6.
World number one and Athens singles gold medallist Zhang Yining then stepped up to battle past Li 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7 in a match peppered by long rallies.
Zhang and world champion Guo Yue then paired to steamrolled Li and Wang Yuegu 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 to win the title.
Despite the landmark gold medal for China, Singapore also celebrated a rare medal. The last time anyone from Singapore stood on an Olympic podium was at the 1960 Rome Olympics when weightlifter Tan Howe Liang won silver - Singapore's only previous medal.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated the Singapore women paddlers on winning the silver medal. He told the media after his National Day Rally speeches that with more training, there will be more chances in the future.
"We are a bit disappointed that we didn't get the gold, but the Chinese were a very strong team and our team have done very well and we are very proud of them. It's been a long time since we had a medal at the Olympics and Team Singapore have not disappointed us," Mr Lee said.
"Both China and Singapore are winners," said Singaporean coach Liu Guodong. "For us to win silver is as difficult as it is for China to win gold."
Li Jiawei added: "I'm really happy and feel like crying, but I just could not get any tears to roll. We know the Chinese team are the best in the world and it was an honour to play against them in the final.
"This medal is important to me and Singapore. It is also to the many years of nurturing Singapore has given me. And the only way I can repay Singapore is with this medal. Thank you Singapore. Thank you everyone for your support."
South Korea took bronze in the women's team table tennis, easing past Japan 3-0 in the play-off match, ending any hope the Japanese had of snapping a 20-year medal drought in the sport.
Kim Kyung-Ah, who won a singles bronze medal at the Athens Olympics, got the ball rolling for the Koreans by overcoming Sayaka Hirano 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10.
The popular Ai Fukuhara, ranked 12 in the world, then lost to Chinese-born Dang Ye-Seo 11-4, 13-12, 7-11, 11-3 before Kim paired with Park Mi-Young in the doubles to beat Hirano and Haruna Fukuoka 11-6, 11-8, 13-11.
Women's team table tennis result: China beat Singapore 3-0
Wang Nan (CH) bt Feng Tianwei (SIN) 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6
Zhang Yining (CH) bt Li Jiawei (SIN) 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7
Guo Yue/Zhang Yining (CH) bt Wang Yuegu/Li Jiawei (SIN) 11-8, 11-5, 11-6.
- CNA/AFP/ir
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