China has once again dominated the Olympic men’s table tennis competition, successfully defending its team title with a hard-fought victory over Sweden. The match, played on Friday, saw three nail-biting encounters, each ending in a five-game thriller. Despite the 3-0 scoreline, Sweden, the seventh seed, pushed China to the limit with their determined play. This victory marks a significant milestone for Ma Long, already considered one of the most successful Olympic table tennis players. He has now become the most decorated Olympian in China’s history, adding two more gold medals to his impressive collection, bringing his total to six.
The competition also saw historic moments for European table tennis. Sweden, making their first appearance in the team event, won their first ever medal. France, the host nation, also achieved a groundbreaking feat, claiming their maiden medal in the team event. This marked the first time that two European nations had stood on the podium in this category.
The men’s singles final rematch saw Sweden’s Truls Moregard putting up a valiant fight against the reigning champion Fan Zhendong. Moregard, who lost 4-1 to Fan in the singles final, employed a clever strategy, utilizing wide angles and effectively handling Fan’s powerful backhand. His efforts paid off as he secured the second and fourth sets. However, Fan’s experience shone through in the crucial moments, and he ultimately claimed the deciding set 11-5.
French teenager Felix Lebrun, who had already made history by winning France’s first bronze medal in the singles event since 2000, further delighted the home crowd by adding another bronze medal to the nation’s tally. Lebrun, who is too young to consume alcohol in France, expressed his elation, stating, “An Olympic medal is the dream of every table tennis player, and to be able to do this in France, with our family watching us, with this team, it’s a moment we want to make last as long as possible.” Lebrun, along with his older brother Alexis and Simon Gauzy, played a crucial role in securing the bronze for France, defeating the Tokyo bronze medallists, Japan, in an epic battle that lasted over three hours. Their performance ignited the South Paris Arena, filled with enthusiastic home fans.
