One year ago this weekend, Paris 2024 table tennis reached its spectacular conclusion across two unforgettable days of team event finals. From Ma Long’s record-breaking sixth Olympic gold medal to China’s historic 300th Summer Olympic gold, from France’s emotional home breakthrough to Korea Republic ending their 16-year wait, Days 14 and 15 delivered everything that makes Olympic sport so special.
Day 14: Ma Long Makes History, France Claims Bronze
The penultimate day belonged to legends and home heroes. Ma Long became the most decorated table tennis Olympian of all time with his sixth Olympic gold medal as China defeated Sweden 3-1 to claim their fifth consecutive men’s team title. At 35, the Chinese icon had cemented his status not only as table tennis’s greatest champion but also as the Chinese athlete with the most Olympic gold medals in history.
The final itself was a masterpiece of championship table tennis. Ma Long and Wang Chuqin secured the crucial opening doubles point in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Anton Kallberg and Kristian Karlsson. Fan Zhendong then delivered an epic performance, defeating singles silver medallist Truls Moregard 3-2 in a match that showcased both players at their absolute best. Wang Chuqin completed China’s triumph with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Kristian Karlsson.
For Sweden, the silver medal represented a historic achievement – their first-ever Olympic team medal announced them as a genuine force in world table tennis. Moregard’s journey from stunning Wang Chuqin in the singles to pushing Fan Zhendong to the limit had been one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines.
Earlier that day, South Paris Arena 4 had witnessed pure emotion as France secured their first-ever Olympic team medal with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Japan. Felix Lebrun provided the heroics in the deciding rubber, holding his nerve in a heart-stopping finale against Hiroto Shinozuka to seal victory on home soil. The 17-year-old’s journey from individual bronze medallist to team medal hero captured the essence of Paris 2024’s magic.
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Day 15: China’s Milestone and Korea’s Breakthrough
The final day delivered the perfect conclusion as the women’s team medals were decided. China’s 3-0 victory over Japan in the gold medal match marked not just their fifth consecutive team title, but a truly historic moment – China’s 300th Summer Olympic gold medal.
The significance wasn’t lost on anyone present. Chen Meng and Wang Manyu opened with a dramatic 3-2 doubles victory over Japan’s surprise pairing of Hina Hayata and Miwa Harimoto. World No. 1 Sun Yingsha then demonstrated her class with a commanding 3-0 victory over Miu Hirano, before Wang Manyu completed the sweep with a 3-1 win over Miwa Harimoto.
The victory held extra significance as Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, and Chen Meng became the first trio to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the women’s team event. “I was lagging behind when I came up, but I didn’t give up,” reflected Sun Yingsha. “Listening to everyone’s cheers, I became even more motivated.”
Japan’s silver medal was led by 16-year-old Miwa Harimoto, who became the youngest table tennis medallist at Paris 2024 – a perfect symbol of the sport’s bright future.
Korea Republic’s Emotional Bronze
The bronze medal match provided its own emotional climax as Korea Republic ended their 16-year wait for a team medal with a commanding 3-0 victory over Germany. The victory was built on teamwork and preparation, with Shin Yubin later revealing: “Yesterday, Lee Eunhye and I watched videos together and discussed strategies. It felt like we executed them perfectly.”
Shin Yubin and Jeon Jihee set the tone with a hard-fought 3-2 doubles victory, before Lee Eunhye delivered a statement performance by defeating tournament standout Annett Kaufmann 3-0. Jeon Jihee then sealed the medal with a dominant 3-0 victory, bringing immense joy to the Korean team and their supporters.
Two Days That Defined Excellence
Across both days, the themes that had defined Paris 2024 reached their perfect crescendo. Youth met experience as teenagers like Miwa Harimoto and Felix Lebrun shared the stage with legends like Ma Long and Chen Meng. Home dreams came true as France claimed their breakthrough medal, whilst traditional powerhouses like China reminded everyone why they remain the sport’s gold standard.
The statistics told their own story: 15 extraordinary days of competition, more than 200,000 passionate fans filling South Paris Arena 4, and moments of sporting magic that transcended the boundaries of competition itself.
A Perfect Farewell
As the final celebrations concluded and the last medals were presented, table tennis could reflect on a tournament that had elevated the sport to new heights. From the opening day’s dramatic upsets to the final day’s historic milestones, Paris 2024 had showcased everything that makes Olympic table tennis so compelling.
The blend of individual brilliance and team unity, of emerging nations and established powers, of youth and experience, had created two days of finals that perfectly encapsulated the Olympic spirit.
Looking back one year later, 9-10 August 2024 stands as the weekend when Paris 2024 table tennis reached its spectacular conclusion. Ma Long’s historic achievement, China’s milestone medal, France’s home breakthrough, Korea Republic’s emotional return to the podium – each story contributed to a perfect farewell to what had been an unforgettable Olympic tournament.
Sometimes sporting events deliver exactly the endings they deserve. Paris 2024 table tennis was certainly one of those special tournaments.
