Table Tennis Star Zhang Jike’s Celebration Costs Him All $45,000 of Prize Money

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China’s Zhang Jike collected $45,000 in prize money for winning the Liebherr World Cup title in Dusseldorf, Germany, only to be stripped of it all for destroying the advertising hoardings with a celebratory kick after the final.

Zhang downed top-seeded Ma Long in Sunday’s final after seven games, but his celebration was a costly one.

“I am very sorry for what I did,” Zhang was quoted afterwards on the International Table Tennis Federation website. “It was not acceptable behaviour and I am sorry.

“This was a perfect victory, I have been under a great deal of pressure, with people questioning my form.”

[Sydney Morning Herald, Vine via @tabletennisdaily]