SZ University graduate Chen Meng wins gold in Olympic table tennis

China’s Chen Meng (top) in action against her compatriot Sun Yingsha in the table tennis women’s singles final at Tokyo Olympics on Thursday night. Xinhua

China's world No. 1 Chen Meng, a Shenzhen University graduate, overcame compatriot Sun Yingsha 4-2 to win the table tennis women’s singles gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Thursday night.

Both in their maiden Olympic appearance, Chen, 27, and Sun, 20, showcased their quality attack, before Chen emerged the winner 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 5-11, 11-4 and 11-9.

After winning the game, Chen immediately went to hug her coach before both players posed with the Chinese flag and their paddles.

It’s another major title for Chen, following her success at the ITTF World Cup in November last year.

The victory is a return to winning form for China after a surprising loss in mixed doubles to a Japanese team in the gold medal match.

Both Chen, a native of Shandong Province, and Sun, a native of Hebei Province, represent the Shenzhen Team in the Chinese Super League.

Also on Thursday, top two seeds Fan Zhendong and Ma Long set up an all-Chinese matchup in the table tennis men’s singles final after both going through full-set thrillers.