In a thrilling final match, Chinese table tennis player Fan Zhendong defeated surprise finalist Truls Moregard to win the coveted Olympic gold medal in the men's singles category. Moregard, who had already pulled off an upset against top seed Wang Chuqin, started strong but could not keep up with Fan's powerful shots. This victory extends China's dominance in the sport and ends a 29-year wait for a non-Asian player to win the gold.
Chinese Table Tennis Triumphs Again: Fan Zhendong Wins Olympic Gold
Background
Table tennis, a sport characterized by rapid exchanges and precise shots, has always been a stronghold for China at the Olympic Games. In the history of the sport, China has won a staggering 32 gold medals, more than any other nation. This dominance stems from their rigorous training regimen, advanced coaching systems, and a culture that places great emphasis on table tennis.
2020 Tokyo Olympics: Fan Zhendong's Victory
At the recently concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Chinese table tennis player Fan Zhendong lived up to expectations by securing the gold medal in the men's singles category. In a thrilling final against Sweden's Truls Moregard, Fan displayed his prowess with powerful shots and exceptional ball control. Moregard, a surprise finalist, had previously upset top-seeded Wang Chuqin, but was unable to maintain his momentum against Fan.
This victory marked China's continuation of its dominance in table tennis, extending their streak of gold medals to 13 consecutive Games. For Fan Zhendong, it was a culmination of years of hard work and a testament to his exceptional talent.
Top 5 FAQs about Table Tennis
1. What are the rules of table tennis?
Table tennis is played on a 2.74m x 1.525m rectangular table, with a net dividing the surface in half. Players hit a 2.8cm diameter celluloid ball back and forth over the net using a flat or textured rubber-covered paddle. The game is played in rallies, with players winning points by forcing their opponents to miss the table, hit the net, or fail to return the ball.
2. Who is the greatest table tennis player of all time?
This question is often debated, but many experts consider Ma Long of China to be the greatest ever. Ma Long has won multiple Olympic gold medals, world championships, and Pro Tour titles. He is renowned for his exceptional consistency, defense, and his ability to change the pace and spin of the ball.
3. Why is China so dominant in table tennis?
China's dominance in table tennis is attributed to several factors, including their rigorous training regimen, advanced coaching systems, and a culture that values the sport. Chinese players start training at a young age and are subjected to a demanding schedule that focuses on developing technical and tactical skills.
4. What are the key shots in table tennis?
Some of the most common and important shots in table tennis include:
5. How can I improve my table tennis skills?
To improve your table tennis skills, consider the following tips:
Rising Indian cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has made a shocking decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the upcoming domestic season, as he seeks a change for personal reasons. The left-handed opener, who has already shown great potential in international cricket, will now represent a lesser-known team in hopes of making a bigger impact. This move is unprecedented, especially considering Jaiswal's successful stint with Mumbai and a lack of big names in the Goa team. Fans eagerly await the results of this surprising shift.
After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced their first eight-wicket home defeat during IPL 2025, team mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions. He stated that the curator did not consider it a home game, and requested for more support from the home facilities in order for the team to perform better in their home ground. Despite expecting the track to favour spin bowling, LSG's decision to bring in M Siddharth instead of Prince Yadav backfired as PBKS's fast bowling group proved to be too much for them.
On Monday, Mumbai Indians' medium-pacer Ashwani Kumar, a 23-year-old from Punjab's Jhanjeri, became the first Indian ever to take four wickets on his Indian Premier League debut, helping his team to an easy win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite appearing at trials for multiple IPL franchises, Ashwani's humble village background and love for classic Punjabi food kept him grounded and motivated for his record-breaking performance. Coach Varinder Singh worked with Ashwani to develop his skills, and his proud mother, Meena Kumari, shared his love for besan ka chilla and aloo parathas with the media after the match.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli recently expressed his criticism towards the BCCI's decision to limit family time on international tours. This move has caused controversy, with players feeling that it affects their focus and personal well-being. Yuvraj Singh's wife, Hazel Keech, has spoken out in support of the updated policy, stating that it benefits both players and their families. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the rule will remain in place for the time being, citing its importance to the country and the board.
After leading the Indian cricket team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has announced his next big goal - winning the ODI World Cup in 2027. Amid speculation about his potential retirement, Kohli made it clear that he is not looking to slow down anytime soon. Meanwhile, other Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, are set to retain their A+ grade contracts.
Pakistan's struggles continued in the second ODI against New Zealand as they lost seven wickets while chasing a target of 293. Star batter Babar Azam, who failed to perform in the first ODI, could only manage 1 run before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy. With fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing frustration over his ongoing struggles with the bat, the pressure is on Babar to deliver in the upcoming matches of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite his form difficulties, many still believe that Babar's class is permanent and a big innings is just around the corner.
In a high-scoring and intense game, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets, 140-139, in double overtime. Despite a career-high 61 points from Nikola Jokic, the Timberwolves were able to rally and secure the win with two clutch free throws from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The win also marks the Timberwolves' fourth consecutive victory over the Nuggets this season.
Nishant Dev, a young boxer from India, has recently turned professional after being inspired by legends like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 23-year-old made his debut in the professional boxing world after falling in love with the sport while watching YouTube videos. Despite his loss in the Paris Olympics, Nishant's decision to go pro was not influenced by that defeat and he continues to train hard under the guidance of former American boxer Ronald Simms.
KKR all rounder Ramandeep Singh gives glowing praise to Mumbai Indians' Ashwani Kumar for his four-wicket haul in Mumbai's victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 12 of the IPL 2025. Ashwani becomes the first player to achieve this feat on his IPL debut.
The Mumbai Indians started their IPL campaign with an 8-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders, with 23-year-old pacer Ashwani Kumar stealing the spotlight with his impressive performance. MI skipper Hardik Pandya praised the team's scouting efforts for discovering Kumar's talent, and highlighted his crucial wickets of Andre Russell and Quinton de Kock as the game-changers for the team. Fans can catch all the latest updates from IPL 2025 on News24, and follow them on social media for breaking news and updates.