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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

South Korean women beat Japan for table tennis bronze

Olympics Aug. 17, 2008 - 06:30PM JST ( 17 )

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17 Comments

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smithinjapanAug. 17, 2008 - 07:09PM JST

I watched all the table tennis games today (well, to be more honest, my TV was on in the background while I worked at home), and I have to say none of these was very exciting. The first match with Hirano was by far the most lively, but even then it wasn't too hot. She did really well at first, but then was beaten by the better Korean player.

Fukuhara was easily outplayed Dang Ye-Seo, and to be honest I'm happy to see her out. I was getting VERY sick of hearing her annoying 'SAAA!' every time she scored a point, and her nodding as if to justify the points she or the other team scored. It was very irritable, and also means I won't have to see interview after interview, nor hear about it hour after hour in the news or from Japanese people I know. I think 'Ai-chan' did a LOT better than in the Athens Olympics, and will become an even better player in the future, but it was clear she was frustrated, and this led her to losing the final match by so much.

The doubles game was played with two so different styles that it's hard to say who was the better team. In all fairness, the Koreans controlled the ball a hell of a lot more and hit it back with far more finesse, but the Japanese were better at smashing it. That being said, nearly every point the Koreans got were from net shots or shots our of bound when the ladies tried smashing the ball, but still. Anyway, it was a clean sweep.

The men's games, especially Mizutani vs. Chen in singles, was WAY better. Better luck next time to Ai-chan and the gang. Good job to the Koreans.
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Pukey2Aug. 17, 2008 - 07:34PM JST

Oh, come off it, Fukuhara is not the only one to make noises and pump her fist. I just can't see why you can't switch the TV off. I often do that when it gets unbearable.
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some14someAug. 17, 2008 - 07:37PM JST

I enjoyed watching Korean girls uniform/costume and ofcourse they were in command and played far better than j-trio.
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FrEcKlEfAcEAug. 17, 2008 - 08:40PM JST

I will not sugarcoat their lost. They were destored by a fearless Korean team. A real letdown performance from the Japanese ladies considering their previous match against the Koreans.

ｻｧ〜〜ｯ
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SargeAug. 17, 2008 - 08:47PM JST

"their strategy is to let opponents make mistakes"

Yeah, I tried that with my badminton buddy, but he refused to make any mistakes and he whipped me again!
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pathatAug. 17, 2008 - 09:47PM JST

Congratulations to South Korea on a great victory over Japan!
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OssanULTRAAug. 17, 2008 - 10:53PM JST

Smith;

So where's this huge lead in medals that Skorea has over Japan that you were proudly proclaiming a few days ago? Looks like that lead has evaporated?
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smithinjapanAug. 17, 2008 - 11:46PM JST

Pukey: You're kidding. Did you watch the games at all? Fukuhara squealed like a 2 year old every time she got a point. SOME other players made noises for sure, especially towards the end of the matches, but they were a few decibals quieter.

Ossan: Oh... you remember that? funny, I don't remember the comment, which means it must have stung you some to stick so well in your memory. Still, it was true then, and the lead is still ahead, albeit lower than before. BUT, there's no more judo for Japan to bank on, Taekwondo is coming up, and Korea's going to get gold in baseball if things continue as they are, so guess who's going to get more in the end? (plus, Korea is guaranteed to play in the men's bronze in this table tennis tournament, etc.). What's your point, anyway, Ossan? to come onto a thread where Korea beat the pants off Japan (and likewise with the men, though with closer results) and feign that Japan is doing better?

Too bad, Ossan, because I was being pretty sportsman-like.
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BettingAug. 18, 2008 - 12:27AM JST

Every time Fukuhara loses, I quite enjoy it I must admit. Great to see her cry her eyes out. I've got no sympathy for the little princess whatsoever.
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WolfpackAug. 18, 2008 - 12:37AM JST

Giving out gold medals for "ping pong" is ridiculous. The only thing that's worse is badmitten. These "sports" are on par with horse-shoes and bowling. The only drama in these sports is related to the personalities involved and not their athletic feats. That said, if the chicks are hot I'll watch them play.
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okapakeAug. 18, 2008 - 01:30AM JST

And a comment must be made on the stare-down that the Japanese give, especially Hirano. Reminds me of a little kid not getting her way.
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OssanULTRAAug. 18, 2008 - 01:47AM JST

"Ossan: Oh... you remember that? funny, I don't remember the comment, which means it must have stung you some to stick so well in your memory. Still, it was true then, and the lead is still ahead, albeit lower than before. BUT, there's no more judo for Japan to bank on, Taekwondo is coming up, and Korea's going to get gold in baseball if things continue as they are, so guess who's going to get more in the end? (plus, Korea is guaranteed to play in the men's bronze in this table tennis tournament, etc.). What's your point, anyway, Ossan? to come onto a thread where Korea beat the pants off Japan (and likewise with the men, though with closer results) and feign that Japan is doing better? Too bad, Ossan, because I was being pretty sportsman-like."

It stuck in my memory cause it was one of the dumest things I ever heard, boasting about medal position in the first week of the olympics. It also stuck cause it really displayed the extent of competitive fixation that inferiority complex can produce. My point has been proven by the current medal record. And even this may change one way or the other. But it's no big deal either way. That's sportsmanship.
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pathatAug. 18, 2008 - 02:20AM JST

I just endured the replay of the ping-pong bronze medal matches between South Korea and Japan. Ai Fukuhara is so overrated. She might have some good technique around the table and understand the game well, but she really lacks both the agility and power to match up with the best. Japan needs for her to retire in the next year or two and find someone new to fill her spot for the 2012 Olympics.
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pathatAug. 18, 2008 - 03:27AM JST

One thing I am curious about with Ai Fukuhara is have the Japanese media talked about her Chinese father, or have they ignored it? My understanding is that she can speak some Chinese, and she has spent a good bit of time in China. With the popularity of Ai-chan so high in this country since she was little more than a toddler, she sure would be a good ambassador to help bridge some of the differences between China and Japan. The Olympics should not just be about medal counts, but also about bringing people around the world together, and helping them understand each other better.
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borschtAug. 18, 2008 - 10:20AM JST

Fukuhara, a crowd favorite in part because of her porcelain doll looks, was hampered by her short stature...

Height is important in ping pong? Who'd a thunk?
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ProudKoreanGuyAug. 18, 2008 - 10:45AM JST

About the match, obviously I'm glad that SK team won their bronze medal, especially with less than optimal preparation due to some turmoil their coach had last year with the Korean Federation of Table Tennis. Sorry that Japanese women got beat so badly. However, I think Ai Fukuhara is cute. And, yes, Dokdo belongs to Korea.
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ExPrinceskaAug. 18, 2008 - 10:55AM JST

I have played ping pong and was rather good, even went to a regional competition but did not place well :( Anyway it is an interesting game, very addictive and technical but i do not think it belongs to Olympics.