Chinese-born super duo win table tennis gold for Australia

PARIS: Australia received a gift in the form of a table tennis legend when Li Na Lei immigrated from China after Rio 2016, arriving Down Under with eight Paralympic gold medals and a quest to continue dominating.
Since then, the table tennis extraordinaire has snared two Paralympic gold medals for Australia, triumphing at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Lei combined with another Chinese-born Australian, teammate Qian Yang, to win gold in the women’s doubles WD20 in the French capital on Sunday morning (AEST).
RECAP: Paris Paralympics, day three
WHAT YOU MISSED WHILE SLEEPING: Nasty crashes, Aussie gold medals, medal-stripping DQ
READ MORE: Aussie cyclist clinches gold after ‘really rough’ year
In a match packed with tense rallies, the super duo overcame Taipei pair Tzu Yu Lin and Shiau Wen Tian 3-1, winning the sets 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 12-10.
Lei and Yang both won singles gold at the Tokyo Games and will be out to defend those titles in Paris.
Yang also switched her allegiance from China to Australia after moving south following Rio 2016, but the gold she won in Tokyo was her first Paralympic medal.
“I’m so proud to represent Australia,” Lei told reporters after winning gold in Paris.
Li Na Lei and Qian Yang celebrate winning gold in table tennis. Michael Reaves/Getty Images
“I quite enjoy the Australian lifestyle and our Australian table tennis team is a lovely family. We support each other and all staff support me.
“… Australia is a multicultural country. We accept every culture.”
Watch every moment, every medal of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport.
Lei has a deficiency in her right leg and Yang is missing half an arm.
The great friends embraced in delightful scenes following the match-defining point in Paris, hugging with beaming smiles as a crowd appreciative of their skill and tenacity erupted with applause.
“The first doubles gold medal has a different meaning for us,” Lei said.
“Last time we just got singles medals and this time we’ve made history, so it’s so exciting right now.”
The table tennis triumph took Australia’s Paris Games gold medal tally to five, following the victories of swimmer Thomas Gallagher as well as track cyclists Korey Boddington, Emily Petricola and Amanda Reid.
Help Australia’s para-athletes chase their sporting dreams! Click here to donate.