This was to be the biggest sensation of the Olympics! The Chinese were almost left without the main gold.
Batraz Tomaev August 4, 2024, 17:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Sweden’s Truls Moregard deprived the world’s best table tennis player of a medal in Paris these days and almost won gold.
While part of the world was watching the Djokovic-Alcaraz tennis final, serious passions were brewing in the tabletop version. In some places it was even hotter than on the court. Believe me!
The 22-year-old Swede Truls Moregard is one step away from becoming the main sensation of the 2024 Olympics. In the final, he fought against the Olympic champion, nine-time world champion, Chinese Fan Zhendong, and lost. In the decisive match, experience won: 4:1 in the games.
Where did the annoying Chinese come from?
As of August 4, 2024, Truls only had bronze at the 2018 World Championships and silver at the 2021 World Championships, which is still quite a lot. In the last singles match of 2021, the Swede lost to his current opponent Zhendong.
In 2022, Moregarde rose to No. 3 in the world rankings, but then her results declined, so she arrived in Paris as the world’s No. 26 racket.
Truls Moregard
Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The Swede, who had not been performing well in any field for a long time, was not taken into account by anyone. Especially the guys from China, who dominate this sport. But already in the 1/32 finals of the competition, Moregarde recalled his past successes and eliminated the number one in the ranking Wang Chuqin from the tournament. The Chinese lost 2:4.
The Swedish player then beat less successful opponents from Brazil, Egypt and Taiwan. But in the final, something was missing.
Why did the best Chinese lose at the Olympics?
The biggest sensation at the Paris Olympics has already happened. It seems that the photographer is to blame.
Chinese hegemony shattered
Truls could be a real nightmare for China. However, even after losing in the final, he broke the streak of tennis players from the Middle Kingdom. For the first time in 32 years, the favorites only have one medal in the men’s singles tournament instead of two.
But as for first place, everything remained exactly the same as before. The Chinese team has not lost gold in this event for the fifth consecutive Olympics, starting with Beijing 2008.
Stand out from the rest
However, we will remember Truls Moregard not only for his inspired play against the Chinese, but also for his racket. His is… hexagonal.
Truls Moregard
Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
“The racket is so good that I wanted to play with it immediately. It is amazing and comfortable. The top area is 11% larger than a normal racket, which increases the sweet spot. It is fast and you can have a lot of control with it. Some people find it very strange, but I think it is good,” explained the athlete.
The Swede has been playing with this racket shape for five years. Perhaps it is thanks to it that he achieved such high results. The Chinese will definitely remember him!
The Olympics are all about respect! South Korean and DPRK athletes won’t let you lie:
Olympic Games images that have gone around the world: a joint photograph of athletes from the DPRK and South Korea
