Zhang takes gold for dominant China

World number one Zhang Jike powered to victory over Wang Hao in an all-Chinese men’s table tennis final on Thursday,taking China half-way to another clean sweep of golds in its national sport at London 2012.

Zhang,the 24-year-old reigning world champion and pre-tournament favourite,won 4-1 over his compatriot. He celebrated by leaping over the court surround and kissing the gold medal podium and then draping himself in a Chinese flag.

For Wang,28,it marked a third successive Olympics singles final defeat.

Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov,seeded 8th,took bronze after winning 4-2 against Taiwan’s Chuang Chih-Yuan.