South Korea won a women's team bronze medal in the Olympic table tennis competition on Sunday, after steamrolling over a tenacious Japan 3-0.

The bronze medal contest, which was a repeat of a group stage clash between the Asian powers, dealt a heavy blow to Japan's hope for an end of its Olympic table tennis medal drought.

South Korean chopper Kim Kyung-ah, who won a singles bronze medal at the Athens Games, beat Sayaka Hirano 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 12-10 though the Japanese caused some trouble, using fast attacks.

The crowd cheered as Ai Fukuhara took to the table against former Chinese Dang Ye-seo. Whenever the Japanese star fell behind, the enthusiastic fans chanted "Fuyuan Ai Jia You", or "Go Ai Fukuhara".

A boy shouted "Take it easy", drawing laughter from the crowd. But noisy fans failed to pull their idol through, who lost to the lower-ranked opponent 11-4, 13-12, 7-11, 11-3.

Kim then paired with Park Mi-young in the doubles, quickly finishing off Hirano and Haruna Fukuoka 11-6, 11-8, 13-11.

China's formidable women, undefeated since the start of the Olympic team tournament, take on Singapore in their final later on Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)