By Henry Chen 

Excited crowds filled up the Riocentro Pavillion 3 in the evening of day five of the Olympic Games as the Women’s Singles had its final round in the competition.

Despite the all-Chinese final, the audience was definitely not disappointed. Top notch players, Ding Ning and Li Xiaoxia showcased their talent and power in every rally, fighting for every point in the battle.

At the end of seven games, Ding Ning was hailed as the eighth Olympic champion.

Since the inclusion of table tennis in the Olympic Games, there was not even once that the gold medal of the Olympic Women’s Singles went to a different team aside China. Since 1988, the Chinese flag has been placed in the highest podium in every Olympic medal ceremony for the Women’s Singles.

As head coach, Kong Linghui said that they don’t have any plans of changing such practice.

“We will continue to keep what we have started, especially in the singles. The Women’s Team hasn’t lost a single Olympic gold since 1988,” said Kong Linghui.

Witnessing two of his players in the final round of the Olympic Games for the second time certainly makes Kong Linghui a proud coach.

“Ding Ning and Li Xiaoxia both attended the last Olympic Games. Experience and personal strength are strong. In the last Olympic Games, there were thrilling moments. But after four years of training, they are more at ease,” concluded Kong Linghui.

The next Olympic Games will be in Tokyo and the strongest candidates to represent the Chinese Women’s Team are Liu Shiwen and Zhu Yuling.

Would the next Olympic Women’s Singles champion be one of them? Let’s see after four years.