Japanese media assesses Wang Manyu: Three times halting Japan’s hopes, her forehand exudes dominance
On September 30, Yomiuri Shimbun published a commentary on Chinese table tennis player Wang Manyu.
At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games table tennis competition, Wang Manyu defeated Japanese players three times and secured the women’s singles title, completing a triple crown. As the world’s top-ranked female singles player, she demonstrated her formidable strength in competition.
In the team final, Wang Manyu turned around her second match against Miu Hirano, contributing significantly to China’s championship victory.
In the women’s singles event, she overcame Hirano 4-1 in the semifinals and then defeated teammate Sun Yingsha in the final, claiming her first gold medal since the 2018 Jakarta Games. Subsequently, in the doubles final, she partnered with Kui Man to defeat the pairing of Hirano and Hina Hayashi.
Standing at 1.76 meters tall, Wang Manyu’s imposing frame generates powerful forehand shots. Her resilience is evident in prolonged rallies, where she extends her reach with controlled force. After the semifinal encounter, Hirano conceded that Wang had left her with no room for error. Post-match, Hirano remarked: “She has no obvious weaknesses. She is strong across all aspects.”
Wang Manyu has won gold medals in the team events at both the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2024 Paris Olympics. For years, she has remained a central figure in China’s table tennis powerhouse, consistently expected to deliver results. Yet she stated: “Even under pressure, it serves as motivation to move forward.”
Her physical attributes and technical skill are exceptional, as is her mental composure.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877722490303500/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.