J-O: "The biggest upset in history at an Olympic Games"

Victory against the Chinese world champion Wang Chuqin – in an Olympic tournament. Table tennis legend Jan-Ove Waldner holds back nothing when he puts Swede Truls Möregårdh's triumph in Paris into a larger perspective. This is the biggest upset in Olympic history, says Waldner.

» Updated: October 06 2024

» Published: July 31 2024

J-O: "The biggest upset in history at an Olympic Games"
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Waldner sat at home in his TV sofa in Stockholm and followed the drama in the French capital when Truls Möregårdh knocked out Chinese world champion Wang Chuqin in the second round of the OS tournament with a 4-2 set score.

It's the biggest upset in OS history. It has to be. Think about what he (Wang Chuqin) has won, says J-O Waldner to TT.

"A bigger shock candy"

Erik Lindh knocked out Chinese world champion Jialiang Jiang in the OS quarterfinals in 1988 and Waldner himself knocked out Chinese player Ma Lin – then ranked second in the world – in the OS eighthfinals in 2004.

But then "Ekan" (Erik Lindh) was around sixth, seventh in the world and I had beaten Chinese players before. This was a bigger shock candy. A huge performance, says Waldner, who won OS gold in 1992 and took OS silver in 2000.

In addition, Möregårdh has had a tough year and is now ranked 26th in the world.

That he now gets it right in this match. Then you believe in yourself.

Before yesterday's super upset, the 22-year-old from Eslöv had only taken a set off Wang Chuqin. The Chinese player has won all eight previous meetings.

Everyone thought Wang Chuqin would win easily, but Truls is there to take the fight. He started with that directly instead of giving away two sets at the beginning. It doesn't work against players like that.

A narrow advantage for Möregårdh

Already tonight, the eighthfinals against Kao Cheng-Jui, Taiwan, who played his second match on Monday, await.

It's maybe better that Truls gets to go straight. Now he avoids a lot of press conferences where they say: "now you'll take the medal". Or: "can you take the gold now?". It's just as well that he gets to go straight now, says Waldner.

Chances of winning in the eighthfinals?

It's 60-40 in favor of Truls. This match is tougher than what can be expected later. If he wins again, I think he'll make it to a semifinal, says Waldner.

Corrected: In an earlier version, it was incorrectly stated how many times Truls Möregårdh and Wang Chuqin had played against each other.

Tags

TTT
By TTTranslated and adapted by Sweden Herald

More news

Djurgården Defender Faces Family Dilemma as Brother Supports Chelsea
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Defender Faces Family Dilemma as Brother Supports Chelsea

Tommy Samuelsson Appointed Head Coach of Timrå in SHL
1 MIN READ

Tommy Samuelsson Appointed Head Coach of Timrå in SHL

LeBron James Reflects on Future After Lakers Playoff Exit
1 MIN READ

LeBron James Reflects on Future After Lakers Playoff Exit

Stefan Nilsson Reflects on Luleå's Potential Championship Win
3 MIN READ

Stefan Nilsson Reflects on Luleå's Potential Championship Win

Victor Hedman May Join World Championship After NHL Playoff Exit
2 MIN READ

Victor Hedman May Join World Championship After NHL Playoff Exit

Chelsea Clinches Sixth Straight Title with Win Over Manchester United
2 MIN READ

Chelsea Clinches Sixth Straight Title with Win Over Manchester United

Barcelona and Inter Draw 3-3 in Champions League Semifinal Thriller
2 MIN READ

Barcelona and Inter Draw 3-3 in Champions League Semifinal Thriller

Chelsea Coach Maresca: Titles Aren't Won with Money
2 MIN READ

Chelsea Coach Maresca: Titles Aren't Won with Money

Jannik Sinner Reflects on Doping Ban and Locker Room Discomfort
3 MIN READ

Jannik Sinner Reflects on Doping Ban and Locker Room Discomfort

Chelsea Faces Djurgården on Artificial Turf in Conference League Semifinal
3 MIN READ

Chelsea Faces Djurgården on Artificial Turf in Conference League Semifinal

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson's Elite Riding Career Ends as Top Horse Zuccero Sold
2 MIN READ

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson's Elite Riding Career Ends as Top Horse Zuccero Sold

Ice Hockey World Championship Sells Over 200,000 Tickets in Stockholm
1 MIN READ

Ice Hockey World Championship Sells Over 200,000 Tickets in Stockholm

Matteus Ward Aims for Championship Glory with Luleå in SHL Playoffs
3 MIN READ

Matteus Ward Aims for Championship Glory with Luleå in SHL Playoffs

Djurgården Chairman Resigns Amid Scandal Before Chelsea Match
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Chairman Resigns Amid Scandal Before Chelsea Match

Stephanie Neatby Joins HV71 After Frölunda Departure
1 MIN READ

Stephanie Neatby Joins HV71 After Frölunda Departure

Tre Kronor Eyes NHL Stars Markström and Bratt for World Championship
1 MIN READ

Tre Kronor Eyes NHL Stars Markström and Bratt for World Championship

Linus Ullmark's Shutout Leads Ottawa to Victory Over Toronto 4-0
1 MIN READ

Linus Ullmark's Shutout Leads Ottawa to Victory Over Toronto 4-0

Vancouver Canucks Coach Rick Tocchet Leaves Amid Criticism of Elias Pettersson
1 MIN READ

Vancouver Canucks Coach Rick Tocchet Leaves Amid Criticism of Elias Pettersson

Emmanuel Ekong Speaks Out on Racist Attack During Malmö FF Match
2 MIN READ

Emmanuel Ekong Speaks Out on Racist Attack During Malmö FF Match

Dembélé's Goal Boosts PSG's Champions League Hopes
3 MIN READ

Dembélé's Goal Boosts PSG's Champions League Hopes