Olympic Games | 31 Jul 2024

Paris 2024, Day 5: Truls MOREGARD eliminated World No.1 WANG Chuqin

Photo: Courtesy ITTF

Swede Truls MÖREGÅRDH beat World No.1 WANG Chuqin to secure the spot of best 16 at the singles event at the Olympic Games in Paris.

In the Men's Singles at Paris 2024 MÖREGÅRDH has knocked out Chinese star and the Mixed Doubles gold medalist 4-2 (12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6).

"I am still in shock," Truls said.

Truls MÖREGÅRDH had faced WANG Chuqin eight times before. The record: eight losses. In fact, he had barely won a set against his nightmare opponent. But in Paris everything changed.

"It feels completely crazy, what just happened," says the shocked Swede afterwards. "It’s absolutely the biggest thing I’ve ever done. Beating a world number one, especially at the Olympics, it doesn’t get bigger than that."

MÖREGÅRDH saved three game points in the first game and finally emerged victorious with 12–10.

The 22-year-old celebrated vigorously with the crowd and continued his strong play in the second set, winning it 11–7. The Chinese player was noticeably nervous.

In the third game, WANG Chuqin requested a timeout while leading 5–4. It paid off as the Chinese player came out strong and won 11–5. In the fourth, Chuqin showed no mercy: 11–7, leveling the match at 2–2 in sets.

But the Swede showed great resilience. In the fifth set, Truls came back strong, played offensively, and won 11–9.

In the fifth set, the Swede became irritated with the Chinese player’s serves, complained, and received a yellow card from the umpire. However, this only seemed to strengthen MÖREGÅRDH, who took a 6–3 lead. MÖREGÅRDH played the best table tennis of his life and ultimately won 11–6.

“I was playing fantastic table tennis. I stuck to my plan that I had, and I really believed in it. I continued even if I lost two games in the middle. I’m just super happy and will try to recover as fast as I can. Normally, I’m as nervous as always. This time, I really felt that I should just let it all go and really believe in myself and play the table tennis that I like.”

Afterwards, he threw himself on the floor, barely able to believe his eyes.

Thus, he has surprisingly advanced in the Olympic table tennis. In the next round, he will face CHENG Jui-Kao of Taiwan. The round of 16 match will be played on Wednesday evening at 20:00 – but that doesn’t bother Truls.

"Wonderful. Just like when you were ten years old and just kept playing. It feels wonderful!"

What was once a nightmare draw has now become a dream draw.

"The path to a medal has opened up for everyone on our side (of the knockout bracket). I hope I can make it happen," says Truls MÖREGÅRDH.

Also in the round of 16, Darko JORGIC of Slovenia will play after beating Liam PITCHFORD of Great Britain (11–9, 11–7, 9–11, 11–6, 5–11, 11–6).

"We played against each other in the round of 32 in Tokyo, and I beat him 4-2. I knew he would give his best to avenge that defeat," explained JORGIC . "I barely won the opening game, but it was comparatively easier to win the second one. I had a lead in the third, but he came back into the game. I forced myself to stay calm when I lost it. However, he put me under severe pressure by taking great risks. He won the fifth game and forced me into the danger zone. If it had gone to the seventh game, no one knows how it could have ended."

In the next round, he will meet LIN Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei.

"Another player I met last time in Tokyo. He defeated me in the quarters in straight games. It is very hard for me to play against him, but this is a new chance, and I hope I will seize any opportunity. My primary goal was to reach the round of 16. My desire is to try to fight for a medal, like in Japan when I reached the quarters."

Anders Lind is also in full swing, having moved to the round of 32 after a thrilling seven-game victory over Poland’s Milosz Redzimski (12–10, 6–11, 11–6, 6–11, 11–9, 9–11, 11–9).

The stands are singing as Jia Nan YUAN moves in to the round of 16 with a 4-1 (9-11, 11-6, 11-5 , 11-4, 11-7) win over MO Zhang. Next up for the French star is a showdown with Women's Singles 3rd seed Hina HAYATA.