Ma Long’s quest for Olympic glory continues in Paris

BEIJING: China’s table tennis maestro, Ma Long, despite being denied a shot at a third consecutive singles title at his fourth Summer Games, is poised to make history yet again at the Paris Olympics in August. The 35-year-old, a 14-time world champion, has been confirmed as a vital member of China’s team, aiming for his sixth Olympic gold medal.

While Wang Chuqin and Fan Zhendong secured spots for the singles event, Ma Long’s inclusion in the team tournament underscores his enduring prowess and importance to China’s dominance in table tennis. With three previous gold medals in team events and consecutive singles titles in Rio and Tokyo, Ma Long stands as the most successful Olympic table tennis player of all time.

In the women’s division, China’s lineup remains unchanged from their Tokyo triumph, with Chen Meng, Sun Yingsha, and Wang Manyu leading the charge. Their collective aim is to maintain China’s stronghold on the sport, further solidifying their legacy of excellence.

The road to representing China in table tennis is grueling, with fierce competition among athletes vying for coveted spots on the national team. Yet, China’s unparalleled success in the sport, having claimed 32 out of 37 gold medals since its Olympic inception in 1988, speaks volumes about their talent pool and rigorous selection process.

Notably, the mixed doubles event, introduced in Tokyo, presents an opportunity for China to rectify past shortcomings. Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, the world’s top-ranked pair, will strive to clinch gold and complete China’s medal collection in this category.