In a jaw-dropping showdown at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Japan toppled defending champions China 3-1 to seize the women's team title 🌍🏆. The thrilling final kept fans on the edge of their seats as rising stars clashed in a battle of skill and nerves.
World No.4 Wang Yidi initially gave China hope with an 11-7 opening win against 16-year-old phenom Miwa Harimoto. But the Japanese teen battled back, stealing the decider 11-9 after a nail-biting 9-8 deficit reversal 🎢. 'I just kept believing in my shots,' Harimoto later said.
China's world No.1 Sun Yingsha briefly leveled the score by overpowering Mima Ito 3-0 ⚡. But momentum shifted again when Miu Hirano outplayed Chen Xingtong 3-1, setting up a dramatic finale.
Harimoto returned for a David vs. Goliath rematch against Sun. Despite losing the first two games, the teenager staged a jaw-dropping comeback 🦸♀️, rallying from 6-9 down in the decider to win 11-6 and clinch Japan's historic victory. Cue the confetti! 🎉
