
Wang Chuqin gives China fans 2028 LA Olympics boost, as men suffer shock losses at US event
In a pre-recorded video interview with state media, Wang said he needed the target in three years to determine his 'next direction' after that.
And he reassured supporters that LA 'would not be an end', rather a point at which he would examine his future.
The news was a much-needed jolt of optimism for Chinese table tennis after a poor day for the men's team at the WTT Grand Smash stop in Las Vegas, where the 25-year-old was the only one of the nation's players in the bottom half of the draw to make it into the second round.
While the world No 2 was beating Romania's Julian Chirita 3-1, compatriots Chen Yuanyu and world No 5 Liang Jingkun both lost. Chen, the 16th seed, lost 3-1 to England's Liam Pitchford, while French qualifier Lilian Bardet saw off Liang in a five-game battle, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8.
Baldwin Chan (front) still has an opportunity to make it into the second round, but doubles partner Wong Chun-ting is already out. Photo: Xinhua
'I think my opponent played very well and he's quite a strong player too,' Wang said. 'He also gave me a lot of difficulties during the match.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
A controversial pick for Hong Kong team, Lau seeks chance to show worth
Kyle Lau Ka-kiu endured a controversial welcome to international football, but having had his selection for Hong Kong queried by some, he intends to make his big break count, starting against South Korea on Friday. Based in the United States, where he has studied for the past four years, Lau last month found himself in the eye of a storm when he was handed his debut during the Asian Cup qualifying win over India at Kai Tak Stadium – ahead of local favourite Lau Chi-lok Many supporters pointed to Lau Chi-lok's 18-goal season in Hong Kong for BC Rangers, while fellow forward Kyle Lau, who has played only 29 senior club games, was often across the Pacific, playing for his Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens university team. This month's East Asian Football Championship in Seoul offers the speedy student – who earned his second cap during Tuesday's 6-1 rout by Japan – a chance to show what head coach Ashley Westwood saw in him. 'I didn't think about [the controversy] too much, I just wanted to give it my all,' the 23-year-old said as he looked forward to Friday's clash with the host Koreans. Kyle Lau (right) celebrates his Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup goal with Raphael Merkies. Photo: Elson Li 'I'm really grateful for the trust the coach puts in me, and I want to pay him back.


South China Morning Post
13 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hugh Bowman lands Happy Valley treble and brings up career-best Hong Kong tally
The 44-year-old salutes aboard Notthesillyone, Shinkansen and Jumbo Legend to move to 71 winners for the season Hugh Bowman surged past his best Hong Kong haul and onto the 71-winner mark with a Happy Valley treble on Wednesday evening, but he won't be resting on his laurels for too long in the off-season. The 44-year-old struck in the first two races on the card, but by far his best win came in the feature Class Two Begonia Handicap (1,800m) aboard the fast-finishing Jumbo Legend for Caspar Fownes. Victory for the six-year-old never looked likely in the run, with Bowman having to sit and suffer in last before unleashing a devastating turn of foot to go past them all in the final 150m. Bowman's night to remember got up and running in the first race, landing the Class Five Hawthorne Handicap (1,000m) on the Mark Newnham-trained Notthesillyone. Jumbo Legend finishes like a train! Last-to-first in the Class 2 feature at Happy Valley as @HugeBowman scoops a three-timer... 👌#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 9, 2025 Bowman enjoyed the perfect trip, stalking the leader on the rails for the entire journey and when the two in front of him left a gap at the 200m pole, he parted the Red Sea and won out in a protracted duel with $2.8 favourite Ace Talent. Bowman doubled up just 30 minutes later in the Class Five Magnolia Handicap (1,650m) when Shinkansen led all the way for trainer Douglas Whyte. The pair cruised to the front into the first bend and Bowman had all his rivals at it as they turned into the straight. Foremost Teddy, backed into $3.7 favourite, emerged from the pack as the only danger, but he ran out of runway and arrived a short head too late. 🗣️ "Fighting like a caged tiger!" 🐯@DJWhyteTrainer's Shinkansen pulls out of all of the stops as @HugeBowman caps a race-to-race double and his 70th winner this season... 👌 #HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 9, 2025 'It helped not being injured. I spent a lot of time injured and being suspended last season, so time in the saddle might be the key but I've had a good season, a good support base and I think I've had a good consistent year,' said Bowman. 'I feel like I can do better but I'm satisfied with how we've gone this season and I would like to build on it next year.' Although Bowman will enjoy a little bit of time off, he will not be on the sidelines for long as he is heading to the United Kingdom to team up with Karis Teetan at the Shergar Cup at Ascot on August 9. 'I was invited to ride in [the Shergar Cup], so plans are being made around that. That will keep me honest,' Bowman said. Meanwhile, Whyte continued his strong end to the campaign when Ace Power caused a $46 boilover in the first section of the Class Four Garden Handicap (1,200m). Second last for the entire journey, his jockey Luke Ferraris switched him wide into the straight and the writing was quickly on the wall, with the pair flying home to win by three-quarters of a length. 'He had a wide draw tonight and it probably played into his favour. The race unfolded well with the speed and he got into the race at the right time,' said Whyte. 'He can produce those sorts of efforts – when he gets held up he gives up, so he got going at the right time and had a smooth run. 'I highlighted three months ago that I'd have a good back end to the season – the horses were highly rated and some had a break. They've all come back into form now and are racing well.' Elsewhere, David Hayes kept his fleeting trainers' premiership hopes alive when Red Majesty won his 10th race over course and distance in the Class Four Green Handicap (1,650m). 'Francis [Lui Kin-wai] came from nowhere last year and won it. We're just at the stage now where we need John [Size] to not train winners and I need to keep training them. It's a long shot – possible but unlikely,' Hayes said after moving to within six victories of Size.


South China Morning Post
19 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's rocket man brought crashing back to earth by Japan, but boosted by late goal
After the 'rocket ride' of his first year at Chinese Super League giants Shanghai Shenhua, Shinichi Chan was brought crashing back to earth by Japan on Tuesday. Advertisement Chan, who was born in Japan but has grown into Hong Kong's most accomplished player at the age of 22, was as culpable as any of his teammates in going 5-0 behind after 26 minutes. The left-back, however, said a more competitive second-half display had laid the platform for another formidable test on Friday, against East Asian Football Championship hosts South Korea. Matt Orr netted a consolation before Japan completed the 6-1 rout deep into stoppage time. 'It takes some courage to come out and fight knowing the game has gone,' Chan said. 'At half-time, we set some small targets: to score against a better side and to not concede again. Advertisement 'We almost achieved both objectives. It's a good match for us to know where we need to improve and how to prepare for these games in future. The result was disappointing, but it reflected the difference between us and the top Asian teams.'