ACOG - News - IBM

(29 July 1996; Day 10)

DENG, QIAO Defeat Fellow Countrymen for Women's Table Tennis Doubles Gold Medal

It was a battle heard throughout China today as both pairs vying for the women's table tennis doubles gold medal hail from that country.

The final pitted 1992 Olympic women's doubles gold medalists DENG Yaping and QIAO Hong (CHN) against the other Chinese duo ­ LIU Wei and QIAO Yunping. The quick, aggressive play of LIU and QIAO enabled the pair to jump out to an early first-game win.

"We've lost to them before," said DENG. "But generally speaking, we're as good as them. We didn't feel good at the beginning of the match. We soon calmed down and played better."

Displaying their world-class skill, DENG and QIAO executed quick, close to the table shots that enabled them to win the next three games to take the match and the gold.

DENG said she and her partner prepared well for the Olympic Games.

"We won our first Olympic gold in Barcelona," said DENG, a resident of Beijing. "We won again. The four years in between were a very long time. We worked hard for these medals. I am very happy."

DENG said she believes she and QIAO "trained harder than before." On the average the two practice five to six hours a day.

Competing against fellow teammates is tough.

"We didn't train much harder than the other two athletes," said DENG. "They also worked hard. QIAO and I have played with each other for nine years. The coordination is very good between us."

DENG said she has a good relationship with LUI, whom they defeated today.

"My relationship with LIU is very good though we were opponents in the game. After the game, we are friends. They had many chances to win and LIU is having a hard time dealing with this loss," said DENG.

Having won two Olympic gold medals, will DENG and QIAO come back for a third try in Sydney, Australia in 2000?

"I personally say it is impossible," laughed QIAO.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Kim Chaudoin.


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