BEIJING -- Japan's Ai Fukuhara wore a big smile after being knocked out of the Olympic women's singles table tennis competition, contrary to her usual tendency to turn on the waterworks over defeat.
Ai Fukuhara smiles after the Olympic women's singles table tennis competition with Zhang Yinng of China, August 21, 2008. [Sohu.com]
"I played very well today and I'm very satified. I demonstarted everything I learned in the training, so I give myself 90 points (out of 100)," the 19-year-old said, her eyes twinkling with joy.
China's Zhang Yining, who won singles and doubles gold medals at the Athens Games, beat Fukuhara 4-1 in the 1/8 round.
The Beijing native, ranked 1st in the world, said she felt quite assured of a victory over the Japanese star and all she wanted to do during the match was hurry up and go back home for a rest.
Japan's Ai Fukuhara, smiling, stands besides Zhang Yining of China after the Olympic women's singles table tennis competition, August 21, 2008. [Xinhua]
Fukuhara said that she was not sad about being drawn against the defending champion so early in the competition, which denied her the chance to improve her personal best at the Olympic Games.
She failed to reach the last 8 at the Athens singles competition fours years ago.
"I wasn't nervous today. I feel fortunate to play the world's best player and I think I found the trick to playing at the Olympic Games," she said.
Fukuhara and her teammates burst into tears after they lost to South Korea in the team bronze contest last week.
"We really wanted to win the bronze medal because we have never won an Olympic medal for Japan and it is the last Games for our coach," Fukuhara said.
Japan, which has never won an Olympic table tennis medal since the sport was introduced at the 1988 Seoul Games, finished third three times at the biennial world team championships between 2004-2008.
Japan's other two women players, Fukuoka Haruna and Sayaka Hirano, were both eliminated in the 1/16 round late Wednesday.
Ai Fukuhara smiles after the Olympic women's singles table tennis competition with Zhang Yinng of China, August 21, 2008. [Sohu.com]
Japan's Ai Fukuhara shakes hands with Zhang Yining of China after the Olympic women's singles table tennis competition, August 21, 2008. [Xinhua]
