Japan's Top-Ranked Mixed Doubles Team Suffers Shocking Upset at Paris Olympics

Japan's Mixed Doubles Team Eliminated in Shocking Upset at Paris Olympics

Japan's top-ranked mixed doubles team, Hina Hayata and Tomokazu Harimoto, suffered a stunning defeat in the first round of the Paris Olympics, losing 4-1 to North Korea's Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong. The 49-minute match at the South Paris Arena ended in a shocking upset for the Japanese pair, who were considered strong contenders for the title and challengers to the dominant Chinese team.

"I think they played as well as other top countries like South Korea and Germany today," Harimoto said of the North Koreans, who will now face Sweden in the quarter-finals.

The North Korean team's victory was particularly surprising given their limited international appearances in recent years. Their tightly contested match with Japan saw the North Korea pair gain momentum from the onset and maintain a high level of play throughout the second half.

Despite the setback, Hayata and Harimoto will continue to compete in more events at the Paris Games. "Anything could happen. I hope to play better in the singles and team events," Harimoto added.

Their elimination is a significant blow to Japan's medal hopes and a boost for their rivals, including the dominant Chinese team.

Meanwhile, in other Olympic table tennis news, China's top-ranked mixed doubles team, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, easily advanced with a 4-0 victory over Egypt. They will next face Taiwan in the quarter-finals.

Home favourites Alexis Lebrun and Yuan Jia Nan lost 4-2 to the higher-ranked Taiwan team of Chen Szu-Yu and Lin Yun-Ju.

Zeng Zhiying, a former Chinese player making her Olympic debut representing Chile in the women's singles, was defeated 4-1 by Lebanon's Mariana Sahakian.