World No. 1 Chinese table tennis player loses at Olympics
Wang Chuqin, China’s top table tennis player, lost the men’s Olympic singles on Wednesday a day after breaking his bat. Wang won mixed doubles gold in Paris on Tuesday, but a photographer snapped his bat while jostling to capture a shot, angering him. The 24-year-old table tennis star lost 4-2 to Swedish Truls Moregard in the singles round of 32 less than 24 hours later. The 26th-ranked Moregard fell to his knees and put his hands on his head before touring the crowd, who cheered on the underdog.
Wang had a mixed few days. In the mixed doubles final, Wang and Sun Yingsha defeated North Korea, however Wang “lost control of my emotions a little” after his bat cracked. A familiar bat and grip can help table tennis players. Wang did not blame his replacement bat for his surprising 22-run loss to Moregard. “It didn’t really have an influence on the match,” he said. “It was just that my opponent played really, really well.”
The men’s team event awaits Wang. For the first time in eight attempts, Moregard “had a feeling I could beat him today”. “I’ve almost never taken a set against Wang so it’s crazy to win here at the Olympics,” the first-time last-16 player from Sweden remarked. Moregard, taught by his older brother Malte, claimed Wang wasn’t at his best but didn’t blame his bat.
“You probably have 10 rackets and 500 rubbers, so losing your bat doesn’t matter. I don’t know my first or third, therefore it doesn’t matter “said. Although Wang lost, China is the table tennis superpower and came to Paris with 32 of 37 golds since its Olympic debut.
