by Ian Marshall, Editor

In the crucial deciding contests, facing colleagues, Eugene Wang beat Jeremy Hazin (11-5, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10); Zhang Mo accounted for Hui Huang (11-9, 11-4, 11-8, 11-1).

Later in the mixed doubles qualifier, Eugene Wang and Zhang Mo combined to overcome the United States pairing of Zhou Xin and Liu Juan (11-4 11-7 10-12 11-5).

Third Olympic Games

Notably Eugene Wang competed at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games; in London he played only in the team event alongside Pierre-Luc Hinse and André Ho, the two players who represented Canada in the men’s singles. A 3-0 opening round defeat at the hands of Hong Kong’s Jiang Tianyi, Tang Peng and Yang Zi was the outcome.

Four years later he was on men’s singles duty in Rio de Janeiro; he recorded a second round win against Turkey’s Li Ahmet before once again Hong Kong proved the stumbling block. He was beaten by Wong Chun Ting.

“This is my third Olympic Games and yes, I expected to win but I really hope that the younger athletes can catch up to me soon. It is always very special to walk into the stadium, representing Team Canada and I am very happy that I qualified. My goal is to focus on every single game and hope to play my best table tennis.” Eugene Wang

Likewise, later in the day Eugene Wang was delighted with the mixed doubles performance, clearly aware of the significance of the success.

“We have prepared for the moment for a very long time, knowing the importance of this match and the qualification for the Olympic Games, we started at the Pan American Games, where we won gold. We trained for the last three weeks together.” Eugene Wang

Fourth Olympic Games

Meanwhile for Zhang Mo she will be competing at a fourth Olympic Games, as previously in the women’s singles event.

In Beijing in 2008, she was beaten in the opening round by Tatyana Kostromina of Belarus, in London she experienced defeat in the second round against Austria’s Li Qiangbing; in Rio de Janeiro it was farewell at the same stage when opposing Hungary’s Georgina Pota.

“I am happy. This means a lot to me and I am proud to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. I am still playing the league in France and the European Champions League until June. After that I will be preparing for the Olympic Games to try and reach as far as I can.” Zhang Mo

All smiles as is always the situation with Zhang Mo, a young lady who does not have an angry bone in her body; understandably she was delighted that the partnership with Eugene Wang, a calm laid back character, had worked to perfection.

“I am super happy. We will do our best to represent Team Canada and give 100 per cent every match. We are certain that we will make Canada proud” Zhang Mo