KUNMING, China, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Thailand became the biggest winners of the 2019 Asian Sepak Takraw Championship after they won both the men's singles and women's singles championships on Wednesday.
As a traditional strong team in Sepak Takraw, the Thai men's team and the Malaysian team have been very successful. In the men's singles finals, the Thai team won two games, defeating the Malaysian men's team and winning the championship. The Thai women's team easily defeated the Myanmar women's team, winning the women's singles championship.
Although the Chinese men's team won first place in the three-game victory, in the first round of the knockout stage, they encountered a strong Malaysian team, eventually lost 2-0. The Chinese women's team lost to the Myanmar team in the semifinals and tied for third place.
In the double-team competition held on Wednesday, the Chinese women's team lost to the Japanese team 2-0, and the Chinese men's team defeated Hong Kong of China.
"We lost in the serves and receiving. Our young athletes are inexperienced. They're eager to win but had too many mistakes," China's head coach Tao Zhu said.
Four of the six Chinese players are only 18 years old, and three of them compete in international competitions for the first time. The Asian Championships are more like a lesson than a competition for the youth, Tao said.
"I will not give them pressure for the next game. I hope they can learn more next time," he added.
