Women’s soft tennis singles 18th Asian Games Jakarta Palembang 2018

18th  Asian Games Jakarta

Palembang 2018

Japan Wins gold In 

Women’s soft tennis singles

In

Asian Games 2018

Antara/Palembang/ Jakarta

Japan added to its gold medal tally in soft tennis after Noa Takahashi beat Chinese Taipei Chuling Cheng in the women’s singles final of the 2018 Asian Games with a score of 4-3. The final match was held at the Jakabaring Sport City tennis court compound in Palembang on Wednesday.

"Even though the weather was hot, I tried my best to secure points one by one and I'm happy that I finally got a gold medal here, because this is my first Asian Games," said Takahashi after undergoing a doping test.

Takahashi said he had been confident that he would win a gold medal because of the comfortable court, among other reasons.

"I imagined I could win a gold medal because I feel comfortable with this soft tennis court. In my opinion, the court here is different from those in Japan, China and elsewhere. And this is very good for me because on this court I can give it my best," Takahashi said.

Getting his first medal at the Games is a great feeling for the 21-year-old player from Hiroshima.

Takahashi said the support of dozens of Japanese in the stands lent him extra energy, as did prayers from the community in Hiroshima.

"To win gold in front of the Japanese spectators here really makes me feel very happy and proud. Back home in Hiroshima, I know that many people support me. Unfortunately, they cannot come to Indonesia," said Takahashi.

"With this gold, I want to express my great gratitude to the people of Hiroshima, my parents and family, and the coach who helped me in mastering soft tennis, Mr. Nakamoto, who will be present in the team competition," he said.

The silver medal went to Chinese Taipei player Chuling Cheng, the bronze to Yu Yuanyi of China and Dwi Rahayu Putri of Indonesia, who were both defeated in the semifinal.