Olympic Media Notes: Concluding Day Day 14 Highlights: Friday 6th August Men's Team: Bronze Medal

Hong Kong China (3) 3-1 Korea Republic (4) (JPN) was very much the mainstay of Japan's victory. Partnering (JPN), both left-handers, they beat Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu (KOR) in the opening contest (11-9, 8-11, 15-13, 11-5). It was a bonus win, as a pair Jun Mizutani and Koki Niwa (JPN) had no significant record of prior success, Jeoung Youngsik and Lee Sangsu (KOR) had six ITTF World Tour men's doubles titles to their credit.

Tomokazu Harimoto (JPN) beat Jang Woojin (KOR) in four games (11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7) to extend the lead.

Koki Niwa experienced defeat by Jeoung Youngsik (KOR) in straight games (11-3, 11-8, 11-7).

Jun Mizutani accounted for Jang Woojin (14-12, 11-9, 11-9) to seal bronze. Somewhat appropriately when considering the years of unstinting service, Jun Mizutani (JPN) concluded matters.

China (1) 3-0 Germany (2) and (CHN), the 2011 World champions, gave China the perfect start; they beat and (GER) in straight games (11-7, 11-3, 11-9).

Fan Zhendong (CHN) extended the advantage, but tested him (GER). He was required to recover from a two games to one deficit to claim victory (3-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3).

A spirited effort from Dimitrij Ovtcharov (GER), it was the same from Timo Boll (GER) in the immediate ensuing match but to no avail. Ma Long (CHN) prevailed in four games (11-5, 11-9, 11-13, 11-7) to secure gold.

Player Fast Facts Since the introduction of the team events in in 2008, China has always reserved the podium's top step.

Ma Long (CHN) claimed men's team gold for a third consecutive time; previously, he won in London (2012) and Rio de Janeiro (2016).

It was a second men's team gold for Xu Xin (CHN), he succeeded in Rio de Janeiro (2016).

It was a first-team gold and a first gold overall for (CHN).

Germany maintained their record of consistently winning a medal. Silver had been the colour in Beijing, bronze in both London and Rio de Janeiro.

For Japan, it was one step lower than in Rio de Janeiro, but they maintained their status; earlier, it had been the fifth position in Beijing, a similar finish in London when they had departed at the quarter-final stage.

Likewise, for the Korea Republic, again they challenged for a medal, it was the same fourth place as in Rio de Janeiro, having in Beijing won bronze and London, silver. Repeat success, but there was a first. It was the first time in a men's team event that the higher-seeded outfit won every fixture; no surprises, but the action was enthralling.

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