Jayce
In the end, it all happened — the world’s top mixed doubles pair of the past six years claimed the only major title they had not won yet: the Olympic gold medal.
Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong will no longer have to answer why the three-time World Champions fell short in their quest for Olympic gold. That was three years ago at the Tokyo Olympics when the favorites lost a thrilling final to compatriots Wang Yilyu and Huang Dongping.
Over the past three years, questions about that match were frequent, and they had promised to go all the way in Paris. They fulfilled that promise in the final, dominating most of their opponents in the same overwhelming style.
Despite having a 3-4 record against the Chinese pair in their careers, Kim Won-ho and Jeong Na-eun could not produce a compelling final.
Zheng Siwei was a whirlwind at the backcourt, while Huang Yaqiong remained composed, capable of launching fierce attacks, most of which went unanswered by their opponents. With the final point won and the gold medals around their necks, Huang Yaqiong had one more surprise: an engagement ring from her fiancé, Liu Yuchen, which she accepted in front of a full audience.
“This is my biggest dream. I thought a lot, but now my mind is blank,” said Zheng.
“My family is here; they bought tickets last year to be here. This might be my last Olympics, so I had to bring my family because they give me strength. Their support gave me more strength than I imagined.
“We prepared as much as possible. We used all our skills. I put all my energy into this Olympics. Yaqiong gave me strength.”
