Yesterday, the 2021 ITTF-ATTU Asian Championships called their meeting to order in Doha, Qatar. The absence of prohibitive favorites China raised hopes for Japan, South Korea and all other contenders to nab some otherelusive gold medals. India cut off its nose to spite its face, omitting Manika Batra from the team following a series of internecine controversies. Their women's team then lost to Japan in the quaterfinals, 3-1. Japan, for its part, overcame Hong Kong, 3-0, to reach the championship round. On the bottom half of the draw, Jeon Jihee (pictured) led the South Korean team to the finals of the women's team event, dispatching Thailand and Singapore by identical 3-0 scores. Later today, South Korea will face Japan for the championship. Meanwhile, over in the men's draw, there lurks the distinct potential for a parallel pairing. Tomorrow's semifinals pair South Korea with India, and Japan with Chinese Taipei (Taiwan to its friends). If both countries sharing beachfront property on the Sea of Japan emerge victorious, they would faithfully imitate the matchup from the women's team final. Jeon Jihee also headlines the women's singles draw, commencing Friday. In yet another parallel, her countryman Jang Woojin headlines the men's seedings. With each star also playing in their respective doubles events, as well as pairing for the mixed doubles, Jang and Jeon have the potential to win all seven gold medals between them. Who will capitalize on China's choice to chill? Stay tuned!

More at ITTF