March 03, 2008	Monday	Safar 24, 1429

GUANGZHOU (China), March 2: China clinched the men’s world team table tennis championship here Sunday, proving too powerful for arch-rival South Korea and sending a strong signal ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

China steamrolled over South Korea, a repeat of the final at the last worlds, winning 3-0 for their fourth straight team title.

The victory comes hot on the heels of success for China’s equally formidable women, who lifted the team crown on Saturday after downing Singapore 3-1.

China, who were viewing these championships as the perfect warm-up for Beijing, now look set to dominate the tables at the Olympics on home turf.

South Korea, gunning for their first title, had been seeking revenge after the last worlds, and were confident of taking on China.

But their hopes were dashed when China’s Ma Lin trampled over Olympic champion Ryu Seung Min, who managed to take just one set off the world number two, in the opening tie.

Undeterred, South Korea’s Lee Jung Woo, ranked just 39 in the world, was determined to take down world No 1 Wang Hao, and came close, winning the opening game before Wang steadied to take the next two.

Lee held off Wang in the fourth set before Wang edged over the line to take the match.

World champion and China veteran Wang Liqin, 29, swiftly wrapped up the proceedings, beating Joo Se Hyuk in straight sets.—AFP