The People's Favorite

He didn't take gold or set a world record. But Truls Möregårdh won the Swedish people's love. The table tennis star was voted winner of the Jerring Award. Thank you so much. It's really a shock. It's barely that I even thought it was possible to win, he says.

» Published: Mon 20 Jan 2025 22:30 CET

Möregårdh, who took silver individually and in the team in the Paris Olympic Games, received the most votes in the competition with Armand Duplantis – the two who were last to be voted on during the Sports Gala.

I want to thank all of Sweden for all the support during the year. It was completely fantastic. It's so cool to see all the table tennis fever that has been created in Sweden, he says in his thank-you speech.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me in every way. You know who you are. I want to thank two people extra, mom and dad.

I know mom is crying now too, we're crying together. Thanks for everything you do. You are really the world's best parents. I would never have been where I am today without you. I love you. Thanks, Sweden. You are the best.

First Table Tennis Player

A little later, he was still quite taken. Möregårdh is the first table tennis player to be voted winner of the Jerring Prize.

We've had an incredible number of great table tennis players. So I'm grateful that Sweden and the Swedish people like table tennis so much now. I'm so shocked, I'll be shocked for a long time.

In the midst of all the surprise, he was amazed by the weight of the crystal trophy.

It's incredibly heavy. I'm shocked at how heavy it is, but it's also very nice. I've started to calm down a bit now so I can talk and not start crying. It feels completely incredible.

The prize was presented by Radiosporten's Bengt Skött and Prince Carl Philip.

Möregårdh says he made eye contact with the prince and then began to understand that he would win.

Then my pulse started racing directly. When the name was announced, it went completely blank. I hardly knew what I should do or say.

"Completely Amazing"

Jörgen Persson, the national team captain for the OS team last summer, was named Coach of the Year. He is delighted about the upswing the sport has received thanks to Möregårdh and his teammates Anton Källberg and Kristian Karlsson, among others.

Just that young people are taking up the sport and filling the arenas is positive. We've had a dream ourselves. Those who are standing on the stage now will become role models for a new generation.

When I started, we played everywhere, in community centers, in garages. This boom that has come with Truls and the gang, it's completely amazing. It warms one's heart, I get a high pulse, says Persson to SVT.

2024: Truls Möregårdh, table tennis

2023: Ebba Andersson, cross-country skiing

2022: Nils van der Poel, speed skating

2021: The Show Jumping Team (Henrik von Eckermann, Malin Baryard Johnsson, and Peder Fredricson), equestrian sports

2020: Armand Duplantis, athletics

2019: Tove Alexandersson, orienteering

2018: Hanna Öberg, biathlon

2017: Peder Fredricson, equestrian sports

2016: Peder Fredricson, equestrian sports

2015: Sarah Sjöström, swimming

2014: Sarah Sjöström, swimming

2013: Henrik Stenson, golf