MA Long wins historic second straight Olympic gold in men’s singles table tennis

The People’s Republic of China’s MA Long confirmed his status as one of the table tennis greats with back-to-back Olympic men’s singles titles, beating compatriot FAN Zhendong 4-2 (11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7). It is the fourth straight Olympics that PR China has claimed the two top steps on the podium in the men’s singles event.

In the process, MA became the most decorated male table tennis in Olympic history and the first athlete to win this event multiple times at the Games. His growing list of accolades includes his two men’s team gold medals from London 2012 and 2016.

“I think I’m one of the best players ever. Different generations have different players and it depends on their environment and whether they have faced one another,” MA said.

“For one to be a champion means he has a pathway to success. To be one of the best of all time is a blessing to me.”

MA has won the men’s singles event at the past four major championships – Rio 2016 and the world championships in 2015, 2017 and 2019 – to further underscore his dominance in the event.

The defending champion laid down a marker by winning the opening game 11-4 with FAN – 2014 Youth Olympic Games champion – winning a closely contested second.

MA regained his hold on the match, winning the third and fourth games to give himself a 3-1 lead over his compatriot. FAN stormed back in the fifth with an 11-3 win, which ultimately only delayed the inevitable. The veteran showed his class in the sixth and final game to claim another famous victory.

Earlier, Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov beat Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun Ju (4-3) to earn the third step on the podium and add to the bronze he won at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the men’s singles. Ovtcharov increased his tally to five medals overall, which includes team medals in Beijing 2008 (silver), London 2012 (bronze) and Rio 2016 (bronze).

The 32-year-old veteran had to overcome a strong challenge from Lin, 13 years his junior, to win the seven-game match 13–11, 9–11, 6–11, 11–4, 4–11, 15–13, 11–7.

“I lost to Lin three consecutive times – his receiving is incredible. This is a new art of (receiving) which table tennis has never seen before,” said Ovtcharov. “It’s crazy how table tennis is moving forward – it’s getting so much faster, and he’s so young, you feel like he improves every month.”