The stakes could scarcely have been higher. Yesterday, the Chinese women won the 2019 Asian Championships team event in emphatic fashion. With the win, a 3-0 rout of Japan, the lethal looping ladies secured a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Today in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, it was the men's turn. Not only was national pride at stake, but there was also the added pressure of following the women's spectacular show. To make things a little more interesting, China was playing without the services of reigning Olympic and world champion Ma Long. Undaunted, they got down to business. In Tuesday's quarterfinals, China breezed past Singapore, 3-0. In today's semifinal, China faced a determined Japanese squad. In the first matchup, each team played its ace as Xu Xin faced Tomokazu Harimoto. The vastly more experienced Xu Xin rallied from a slow start to get China on the board first, (5-11, 11-7, 11-8, 12-10). Fan Zhendong then put China on the hill with a sweep of Maharu Yoshimura, (13-11, 11-8, 11-6). It then fell upon Liang Jingkun, playing in his first international team competition, to get his team to the fianls. Against Kazuhiro Yoshimura, Liang did not disappoint, winning (11-6, 14-12, 11-1). "In the third match, I could feel the nerves and stress from Liang Jingkun," said Chinese men's team coach Qin Zhijian. This was his first time playing in such an important match. He performed really well today.” This set up a final with the Republic of Korea (a.k.a. South Korea), the last team to beat China in the event all the way back in 1996. With this historical footnote in the backs of their minds, both teams set out to write a new chapter in the history books. First up, Xu Xin faced Korean ace Jang Woojin. Xu's lefty penhold topspin was too much for Jang, as "Xu-perman" secured the match, (11-3, 11-7, 11-9). Then, the ever-reliable Fan Zhendong overpowered Jeoung Youngsik, (11-8, 11-9, 11-7). With a chance to bring home the championship, Liang Jingkun faced Lee Sangsu. In the end, it was too much Liang, never letting Lee mount a serious charge. With a clinical (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) scoreline, the rookie Liang had again come up aces. “This is my first time to get the chance to play in a semi-final and final at team events," said a relieved Liang Jingkun afterward. "I am satisfied with my performance. I won all my matches. It is a recognition to myself.” Xu Xin, who in this year has regained the world #1 ranking, reflected on the depth of his team. “I feel safe with Ma Long around but without Ma Long, we can still make our coach feel secure," said Xu. "No matter which players are not here, we will definitely win as always and make all our fans happy!” With such an inexhaustible abundance of talent, China remains the team to beat heading into the 2020 Olympics. While they will no doubt face spirited competition from perennial rivals Japan and the Korean Republic, the Chinese men can now breathe a sigh of relief. Of course, it is a matter of great national pride to win the Asian Championships and go to the Olympics. Most impressive, however, is that they managed to keep up with the ladies.

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