Yu Mengyu Rocks Tokyo Olympics – One Swing Away from Gold
It’s hard to believe that just four months ago, Yu Mengyu needed a wheelchair to catch her flight back from Qatar after a nasty back flare at the WTT Star Contender in Doha. The drama left everyone wondering if she’d even make it to the Tokyo Games. Fast forward to July 28, and she’s one victory from snagging an Olympic medal.
Quarter‑Final Showdown
At the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Yu crushed Japan’s world No. 10 Kasumi Ishikawa in a 4‑1 win. The scoreline read: 8‑11, 11‑5, 14‑12, 11‑6, 11‑2. It took 47 minutes of relentless play – but every second was worth the bragging rights.
- Game 1: 8‑11 – Yu’s first slip in the opener.
- Game 2: 11‑5 – Power‑punching back into the fight.
- Game 3: 14‑12 – A nail‑biting comeback from 10‑8 down.
- Game 4: 11‑6 – Yu keeps the momentum.
- Game 5: 11‑2 – A decisive finish.
Before stepping into this fierce arena, Yu had an even head‑to‑head with Ishikawa, standing at 8‑7 in the series. Still, the match felt like a chess game of volleys and quick footwork.
Semifinals & Beyond
Now, the world No. 47 faces either China’s top‑ranked Chen Meng or Hong Kong’s world No. 15 Doo Hoi Kem in the semi‑finals on Thursday. A single win would drop her straight into the gold‑medal fight, securing an unprecedented silver for Singapore. Even if she loses, she’ll still have the bronze match on the horizon.
Game‑Changer Stats
- 31‑year‑old Yu Mengyu surpasses her Rio 2016 quarter‑final run.
- She rolled past Portugal’s world No. 63 Shao Jieni 4‑0 in the second round.
- She crushed Taiwan’s world No. 8 Cheng I‑Ching 4‑0 on Tuesday.
- She edged out America’s 449th‑ranked Liu Juan 4‑2 in the round of 16.
- Team mate Feng Tianwei, a three‑time Olympic medalist, fell 4‑1 to Germany’s Han Ying.
What’s the best part? The dramatic near‑victim scenario from Beijing turns into a triumphant surge back to Tokyo. Yu’s journey from a wheelchair escapade to podium contention is a scorcher story that keeps fans glued to the screens.
About this Story
This article was originally penned by The Straits Times. Permission is required for reproduction.
