BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's triple world
champion Wang Liqin won a bronze medal in the Olympic men's singles table tennis
tournament here Saturday, beating Swedish veteran Jorgen Persson 4-0.
Wang Liqin, 30, suffered an upset after succumbing to
2nd-ranked fellow Chinese Ma Lin 4-2 in the morning. He has viewed the Beijiing
tourament as a perfert opportunity to make his Olympic dream come true.
The 2001, 2005 and 2007 world singles champion fought
to get qualifyed for the Summer Games. Wang Hao, a losing finalist to South
Koran Ryu Seung-min in the Athens Olympics, and Ma Lin, twice world runner-up to
Wang Liqin, have secured China's automatic berths to the Beijing Games.
Wang Liqin won the bronze medal contest 13-11, 11-2,
11-5, 11-9, extinguishing Persson's hope to stop the mighty Chinese from
sweeping the medals in Beijing.
"There is something wrong with my muscles due to
stretches in long rallies and smashes," said Persson, who asked for treatment
for his left leg during the match.
"I played well but it's hard to break the Chinese
wall, I could not get some easy points especially when coming over from behind,"
said the six-time Olympian.
Persson, who was guning for a medal in the
touranment, snatched down 5th-ranked Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus and Croatia's
Zoran Primorac to make do with top four, the second-best result he achieved
after finishing fourth at the Sydney 2000 Games.
"The Chinese players are very good to be in top,
especially in big tournaments. But we have to fight, which I hope will encourage
more young players," the 42-year-old said. "I'll continue to play if I have
motivations."
Wang Liqin missed the 2000 Olympic singles
competition, but won the doubles with Yan Sen, his first Olympic title. In
Athens, his singles campaign ended in the hands of Wang Hao, who later suffered
a meltdown in the championship final against South Korean Ryu.
In Beijing, Persson staged a spirited challenge
against Wang Hao in a tense semifinal, losing 4-1. The Swedish veteran won
wide-spread respect from other paddlers and the audience for his tenacity and
fighting spirit.
"Wang Liqin has brought out his best this evening. I
never expected such a percent ending, even in my dreams," Chinse coach Liu
Guoliang said.
"Persson has been fighting for years to realize his
Olympic dream. It's a miracle for paddlers of his age to come this far. He has
set a good example for us and we all should learn from him," Liu said.
Wang Liqin of China competes in Men's Singles Bronze Medal Match against Jorgen Persson of Sweden of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games table tennis event at PKU Gymnasium in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Wang Liqin defeated Jorgen Persson 4-0, and won the bronze medal of the event. (Xinhua/Bao Feifei)
Wang Liqin of China reacts in Men's Singles Bronze Medal Match against Jorgen Persson of Sweden of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games table tennis event at PKU Gymnasium in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Wang Liqin defeated Jorgen Persson 4-0, and won the bronze medal of the event. (Xinhua/Bao Feifei)
Jorgen Persson of Sweden reacts in Men's Singles Bronze Medal Match against Wang Liqin of China of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games table tennis event at PKU Gymnasium in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Wang Liqin defeated Jorgen Persson 4-0, and won the bronze medal of the event. (Xinhua/Xu Jiajun)
