ACOG - Table Tennis - IBM

Who to Watch in Table Tennis

Table tennis debuted as an Olympic sport in 1988 during the Olympic Games in Seoul. To date, seven countries have won Olympic medals in the sport.

This year's field includes all of last year's Olympic medalists. Add to these returning veterans all of the current world champions and many young rising stars, and you have the makings of an historic event.

Men's Preview

WALDNER, Jan-Ove (SWE) — 1992 Olympic men's singles gold medalist, 1989 world men's singles champion. Known for his shot making and inventive all-round game, WALDNER is always in the "hunt" for any major title for which he plays.

KONG Lingui (CHN) — 1995 World men's singles champion, China's great new star who features a dynamic shake-hand loop attacking game. Great power mixed with the ability to play against all most any style makes KONG a real threat to take home a medal.

WANG, Tao (CHN) — 1992 Olympic men's doubles gold medalist, WANG is noted for his quick, off-the-bounce attacking games. Look for his strong controlling backhand as he looks to set-up his very fast forehand kill-loop.

GATIEN, Jean-Philippe (FRA) — 1993 World men's single champion, 1992 Olympic silver medalist in singles, GATIEN is perhaps the most explosive player in the sport today. Look for great foot speed, quick reflexes and a powerful forehand loop while watching this stylish left-hander.

YOO Nam Kyu (KOR) — 1988 Olympic men's singles gold medal winner, long one of the world's great players, YOO plays an exciting pen-hold looping style. Watch for his great court coverage as YOO fights to finish as many points as possible with his strong forehand loop.

Also watch for:

SAIVE, Michel (BEL) — 1993 runner-up world men's singles
LIANG Liu Guo (CHN) — 1995 world men's singles runner-up
PRIMORAC, Zoran (CRO) — great mid-distance looper
KIM Taek Soo (KOR) — 1988 Olympic silver medalist in men's singles
ROSSKOPF, Jorg (GER) — 1992 Olympic silver medalist in men's doubles
BUTLER, Jim (USA) — Most valuable player at 1995 World Team Cup

Women's Preview

DENG Yaping (CHN) — 1992 Olympic women's singles and doubles gold medalist, 1995 world women's singles and doubles champion, DENG is known for her close to the table, quick counterdriving play. A great "pressure" player, DENG consistently finds a way finish the close matches.

QIAO Hong (CHN) — 1992 Olympic singles silver medalist and gold medalist in doubles. 1989 world singles and doubles champion, QIAO's game features strong forehand and backhand topspin drives executed very close to the table.

GENG Lijuan (CAN) — 1985 runner up world singles and winner of world doubles title, GENG's game is one of close to the table control often finishing points with strong forehand "kills."

CHEN Jing (TPE) — 1988 Olympic singles gold medal winner, 1993 runner-up world singles, CHEN is known for her steady attacking game, featuring a strong forehand loop and backhand cross-court kill.

SVENSSON, Marie (SWE) — 1994 European singles champion, SVENSSON plays a smooth all-around topspin attacking game typical of many of the Swedish players.

Others to watch:

SCHOPP, Jie (GER) — one of the world's great defensive start
BATORFI, Csilla (HUN) — great mid-distance looper featuring exciting high toss serve
KOYAMA, Chire (JPN) — 1987 world singles champion
STRUSE, Nicole (GER) — great fighter, known of her shot-making
FENG, Amy (USA) — three-time U.S. women's singles champion

This is an official publication of The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Jennifer Knight and Dianna Drayson.


Olympic Factoid
Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.