After the Shock – Möregårdh Aims for Olympic Gold

The tears are dried and the sights are set. Truls Möregårdh is going for Olympic Games gold when he faces the Chinese player Fan Zhendong. I'm so psyched.

» Updated: August 05 2024

» Published: August 03 2024

After the Shock – Möregårdh Aims for Olympic Gold
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

A chance, a moment, make sure to enjoy and take the chance. These are the words that national team captain Jörgen Persson has chosen to say to Truls Möregårdh ahead of Sunday's final in the table tennis hall in Paris.

No unexpected message, really.

But still something that perhaps should be said ahead of the 22-year-old's biggest match in his career.

Support that gives energy

At the same time, the Swede is getting motivation from other sources. Partly from people on site in France, partly from the support back home.

It's super many who write on social media and I'm really glad for that, really grateful. I know I haven't been very good at responding to everyone, but that's because I want to be in my little bubble, he says.

But it's fun, it doesn't drain energy, it gives me more knowing that everyone is watching and supporting.

With the table tennis fever back home in Sweden and the knowledge that many are following his progress in Paris, Möregårdh is determined to give something extra.

He's going for gold.

But he can't promise – for those who think the sport is too exciting – that it will be enjoyable to sit in front of the screens.

Hopefully, I can make it easier for them and win easily, but I probably won't do that. They'll probably sit there and shake in their sofas again. That's kind of what sports are about, that you should be nervous and cheer until the end, he says.

Truls Möregårdh faced Fan Zhendong in the World Championship final in Houston 2021.

Then it was a loss in straight sets.

Since then, they have met each other twice and the star's feeling is that he has come closer to a victory each time.

I'm a "super underdog" but knowing that you can beat him, that's all you want ahead of a match like this, he says.

I have to step up a level, return flawlessly and serve everything I have, but it's going to be super tough anyway.

Pressure on Zhendong

Jörgen Persson, who himself has several World Championship and European Championship medals and was Olympic fourth twice, says that Zhendong has a lot of pressure on his shoulders.

China is supposed to win five golds, that's why they're here. Four isn't good enough for them at home, he says.

The way Truls beat their number one gives a lot of respect, and they have respect for us Swedes since before, they know it's us who have beaten them if you go back in time.

Truls Möregårdh has already secured a medal, which is the first since Jan-Ove Waldner took silver in Sydney 2000.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Grand Slam Track Launches with
2 MIN READ

Grand Slam Track Launches with 130 Million Kronor Prize Pool

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden's Family Faces Uncertainty After Speedway Crash

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three
2 MIN READ

Ovechkin's Hat-Trick Puts Him Three Goals Shy of Gretzky's Record

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over
3 MIN READ

Wayne Gretzky Faces Criticism Over Silence on Canada-US Tensions

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match
1 MIN READ

Disruptions Mar Örebro Soccer Match as Bottle Thrown on Field

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener
1 MIN READ

AIK Struggles in Semifinal Opener with Ineffective Power Play

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's
1 MIN READ

Elanga's Stunning Goal Secures Nottingham's Win Over Man United

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as
1 MIN READ

Gabriel Faces Injury Setback as Saka Returns for Arsenal's Champions League Clash

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures
1 MIN READ

Norway's Top Soccer League Ensures Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated
1 MIN READ

Premier League to Debut Semi-Automated Offside Tech Next Week

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension
1 MIN READ

NBA Brawl Leads to Suspension of Five Players After Detroit-Minnesota Game

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for
1 MIN READ

Häcken's Leo Väisänen Out for Season After Debut Injury

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge
3 MIN READ

Jennifer Falk Faces Goalkeeping Challenge as Sweden Prepares for Euro 2024

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Skiers Cleared to Train as Leaders' Bans Continue

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff
2 MIN READ

Färjestad Coach Departs After Playoff Exit; Club Legend Jönsson Set to Return

Haaland Expected to Return in
1 MIN READ

Haaland Expected to Return in 5-7 Weeks After Foot Injury

Experts Propose Global Sports Body
2 MIN READ

Experts Propose Global Sports Body to Tackle Corruption and Crime

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves
1 MIN READ

Tennis Star Daria Kasatkina Leaves Russia to Compete for Australia

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent
1 MIN READ

Gustavsson's Stunning Save Can't Prevent Minnesota's Second Loss to New Jersey

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Team Secures Third Straight Win at World Championship

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety
2 MIN READ

Trump's Tariff Threats Stir Anxiety in Hockey Equipment Industry

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson
1 MIN READ

Swedish NBA Rookie Pelle Larsson Shines in Miami's Victory Over Washington

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot
1 MIN READ

Haaland Sidelined Indefinitely with Foot Injury, City Hopes for Season Return

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated
2 MIN READ

Södertälje Takes Lead in Heated Semifinal Against Djurgården

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda
3 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Ivar Stenberg Propels Frölunda to Semifinals

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK
2 MIN READ

Celina's Late Header Secures AIK Victory at Gamla Ullevi

Swedish Referees Selected for European
1 MIN READ

Swedish Referees Selected for European Championship Duty

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery Following Polish Speedway Crash

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts
2 MIN READ

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts as Billionaire Withdraws Sponsorship

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost
2 MIN READ

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost Arsenal Ahead of Fulham Clash

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle
3 MIN READ

Sweden Eyes NBA Star Pelle Larsson for European Basketball Championship

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse
3 MIN READ

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations in Court

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash