Asian Games Day 3: China's Badminton and Table Tennis Teams Roll On

Hangzhou, China — The Asian Games continued on Saturday with a full slate of badminton, table tennis and athletics, and Chinese athletes delivered strong performances across multiple venues in the eastern Chinese city.

In badminton women’s singles, Wang Zhiyi advanced to the quarterfinals after her South Korean opponent Kim Ga-eun retired mid-match. Wang had won the first game 21-14 and was leading 11-6 in the second when Kim stopped. Wang will next face the winner of the match between Lu Shan-en and Lin Hsiang-ti. The retirement handed Wang a place in the last eight without needing to complete the second game.

In women’s doubles, the Chinese pair Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning came from behind to beat South Korea’s Kim Hye-jeong and Lee Yeon-woo 19-21, 21-9, 21-18 in a match that lasted 96 minutes. The Chinese duo dropped the opening game but dominated the second and held on in a tight third to secure a quarterfinal spot against Hsieh Pei-shan and Hung En-tzu. The long rally-heavy contest underlined the growing depth of women’s doubles across Asia.

On the table tennis tables, China’s men’s and women’s doubles teams both advanced. In men’s doubles, Wen Ruibo and Xiang Peng defeated Iran’s Nima and Noshad Alamiyan 3-0 to reach the semifinals. After the match, Wen said the second game was difficult because of the elder Alamiyan’s tricky serve, but the pair adjusted by communicating and extending rallies. “We’ll fight hard in tomorrow’s semifinal,” Wen said. Xiang praised Wen’s energy and positive play throughout the match.

In women’s doubles, Wang Manyu and Kuai Man beat Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki and Rin Mende 11-5, 11-2, 11-7 to move into the last four, where they will face Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut and Orawan Paranang. However, China’s Chen Yi and Fan Shuohan lost 0-3 to Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Hina Hayata, ending their run in the quarterfinals. Harimoto and Hayata will meet Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem and Ng Wing Lam in the semifinals.

On the track, the men’s 110-meter hurdles preliminary heats were run in rain, with China’s Chen Yuanjiang and Liu Junxi both qualifying for the final. Japan’s Rachid Muratake posted the fastest time of 13.27 seconds, followed by Chen in 13.52. Japan’s former national record holder Shunsuke Izumiya fell in the first round and did not advance. The final is scheduled for Sunday.

In women’s 100-meter hurdles, China’s Wu Yanni was seen calmly touching up her makeup in the call room before her preliminary heat, a moment that quickly circulated on social media. Wu is among the favorites in an event that has drawn significant attention at these Games.

In men’s football, China’s under-23 team defeated Thailand 3-0 to reach the Asian Games semifinals for the first time since 1998. Peng Xiao forced an own goal, and Hu Hetao and Zhang Yuning added goals. International referee Ma Ning posted a video congratulating the team. China will face South Korea in the next round.

The Asian Games continue through early October, with medals awarded in dozens of sports. For global audiences, the day offered a snapshot of Asia’s rising competitive depth, particularly in badminton and table tennis, where Chinese athletes remain dominant but face increasingly stiff challenges from Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.