J-O: "Will have many good Olympic Games ahead"

After the Olympic silver in the team event, it is clear that Sweden for the first time ever takes double Olympic medals in table tennis. And legend J-O Waldner believes that it was far from the last success for Swedish table tennis. It looks good for Sweden ahead, he says.

» Updated: September 22 2024

» Published: August 09 2024

J-O: "Will have many good Olympic Games ahead"
Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

Truls Möregårdh, Kristian Karlsson, and Anton Källberg failed to defeat China in the team final, but they put a lot of pressure on the giant. All three matches went to the deciding set.

For legend J-O Waldner, it was no surprise that Sweden stood up so well against the Chinese.

It's the two best teams in the final. There's no one who can pressure China as much as Sweden did.

"Many new ones to come"

For the first time ever, Sweden took two medals in table tennis at the same championship. Now Waldner believes that Swedish table tennis is facing a bright future.

It looks good for Sweden ahead. Then we just need to get someone behind these guys. Both Falck and Karlsson are a bit older, so we need to get some new ones up. But with this success, and the interest in table tennis that will come, many new ones will come up.

Table Tennis Culture

That Sweden has good table tennis players is no news. For several generations, we have had several players in the world elite, who can challenge for the most prestigious medals.

According to Waldner, there is a long and rich table tennis culture behind the successes.

Everyone has played table tennis sometime in their life. When we grew up, there were players like Stellan Bengtsson and Kjell Johansson, and after us came a new wave again. And it's that kind of thing that builds on, he says and continues:

Now we'll have many good Olympic Games ahead. Truls and Källberg will be around for at least three more Olympic Games, and when they're done, our new gang that is 10-12 will bloom. So it looks really good. A success like this makes us stand strong in table tennis if we take care of it in the right way.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Anaheim Ducks Part Ways with
1 MIN READ

Anaheim Ducks Part Ways with Head Coach Greg Cronin

Norrköping's Quickfire Goals Secure Crucial
2 MIN READ

Norrköping's Quickfire Goals Secure Crucial Win Over Halmstad

Felicia Schröder Shines as Häcken
2 MIN READ

Felicia Schröder Shines as Häcken Secures Second Consecutive Victory

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes
2 MIN READ

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes 12th Champions League Final

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two Goals in Malmö FF's 4-1 Victory Over AIK

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice
1 MIN READ

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice Hockey World Championship After Close Loss

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels
1 MIN READ

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels Him Up 39 Spots in Shanghai

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out
1 MIN READ

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out for Season After Knee Injury

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach
1 MIN READ

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach of Södertälje Sports Club

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's
2 MIN READ

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's Leadership in Tampa Bay

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with
1 MIN READ

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with Overtime Win Over Atlanta

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best
2 MIN READ

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best Round at LPGA in Los Angeles

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's
1 MIN READ

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's Lead Over Moreirense

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve
2 MIN READ

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve Training by Canucks Coach Tocchet

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits
1 MIN READ

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits World Championship in Brazil

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward for Alleged Spearing Incident

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World
2 MIN READ

NHL's Forsberg Eager for World Championship, But Confirmation Pending

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending
2 MIN READ

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending Winning Streak

Malmö FF Held to Draw
2 MIN READ

Malmö FF Held to Draw by Sirius: "Supporters Deserve Better"

Teen Talent Olivia Ulenius Propels
1 MIN READ

Teen Talent Olivia Ulenius Propels Djurgården to League Summit

Lin Shidong Defeats Möregårdh in
1 MIN READ

Lin Shidong Defeats Möregårdh in Thrilling World Cup Quarterfinals

Brynäs Eyes Historic Triumph in
3 MIN READ

Brynäs Eyes Historic Triumph in National Championship Finals

Djurgården Triumphs to Semifinals Despite
1 MIN READ

Djurgården Triumphs to Semifinals Despite Key Injuries

Chelsea Eyes Champions League Revenge
3 MIN READ

Chelsea Eyes Champions League Revenge Against Barcelona

Rangers End Season with 4-0
1 MIN READ

Rangers End Season with 4-0 Victory Over Lightning

Calle Halfvarsson Parts Ways with
2 MIN READ

Calle Halfvarsson Parts Ways with National Ski Team After 14 Years

Sagström Tied for Fourth After
1 MIN READ

Sagström Tied for Fourth After Hole-in-One at LPGA Los Angeles

Ellen Wangerheim Eyes European Championship
3 MIN READ

Ellen Wangerheim Eyes European Championship After Stellar Season Start

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in South
2 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in South Carolina After US Masters Challenge

Djurgården Secures Semifinal Spot Against
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Secures Semifinal Spot Against Chelsea in Conference League

Filip Forsberg Set for Home
1 MIN READ

Filip Forsberg Set for Home World Championship with Sweden

Tottenham Advances to Europa League
1 MIN READ

Tottenham Advances to Europa League Semifinals with Win Over Frankfurt

Sweden Edges Finland 2-1 in
2 MIN READ

Sweden Edges Finland 2-1 in World Championship Warm-Up

Olympic Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui Receives
1 MIN READ

Olympic Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui Receives 21-Month Doping Ban

Scottie Scheffler Doubts Rangefinders Will
2 MIN READ

Scottie Scheffler Doubts Rangefinders Will Speed Up Golf Rounds

Tove Alexandersson Criticizes Media for
2 MIN READ

Tove Alexandersson Criticizes Media for Misinterpreting Her Views