Silver for Australia’s men’s para-table tennis team after going down to China in final

Australia tonight claimed its fourth silver medal to wrap up para-table tennis competition at the Tokyo Games, as the Men’s team went down to China in two matches in the class 9-10 final.

Joel Coughlan, Lin Ma and Nathan Pellissier could not finish their fantastic Games with a win as defending champion China proved just too dominant for the men in green and gold.

The Chinese duo of Hao Lian and Yi Qing Zhao was unstoppable from the outset, with Coughlan and Ma not allowed to settle at all in the opening doubles match. The Aussies could never find an answer for the opponents' commanding performance.

"We didn't really get into a groove, they were too solid for us today," Coughlan admitted after the match. "We pushed as hard as we could, but they were just too consistent. We missed some easy balls and they ran away with it.

"China plays at this level so regularly, so when they get to the pressure points, they just play so well. We stumbled a little bit and they took advantage. They're a very tough team," he said.

Lin Ma and Hao Lian were pitted against each other in the singles match, the Aussie facing his former teammate from Rio 2016. Once again the 26-year-old Chinese built a lead in the opening game and kept in front throughout the match, never letting the Aussie make a real challenge for the win. In the end it was straight-set win for China, taking the gold medal playoff 2-0 and retaining a Paralympic title in the class they have held since 2004.

“It’s my first time winning silver in the team event. I’m satisfied to get this result,” said Lin Ma, who had previously won gold with his native team China in 2008, 2012 and 2016.

“Today I was slow to get into my rhythm. After losing doubles, I was lacking a bit of spirit. I was the underdog,” he said.

Despite the loss, Coughlan was very proud to come away with a silver medal at his Paralympics debut.

"Plenty to be proud of. Our team was supposed to come sort of dead last, so we're absolutely stoked to come away with a silver," he said.

The Men's Team Class 9-10 final was the last para-table tennis event at the Tokyo Games. The Australian team leaves Japan with a record six medals, its biggest medal haul ever at the Paralympic Games, and an amazing overall performance from the 11-strong squad that makes Australia’s para-table tennis future look bright.

"We've been great for the whole two weeks," Coughlan said.

"Singles, teams - everyone's gelled together, the team has come together and supported everyone and that has really helped.

"I think the success will just keep coming for years and years to come," he said.

Men's Team class 9-10 gold medal final

China b. Australia 2-0

H. Lian / Y.Q. Zhao (CHN) b. J. Coughlan / L. Ma (AUS) 3-0 [11-3, 11-6, 11-9]

H. Lian (CHN) b. L. Ma (AUS) 3-0 [11-7, 11-5, 11-6]