PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Jan-Ove Waldner was the last to do so in 1998.
Now the great talent Truls Möregårdh has followed in the icon’s footsteps.
– So damn big and powerful!, says the 20-year-old in a press release.
At the end of last year, the Swedish great talent stood Truls Möregårdh what a sensation when he went all the way to the World Cup final in table tennis. But once there, he had to settle for a silver after losing to the supreme world number one Damn Zhedong.
First since JO
Now comes the next imprint on the big world stage for the 20-year table tennis promise. During this weekend’s WTT Champions in Macao, Möregårdh managed to get all the way to the semi-finals, which now gives a real boost to the world ranking.
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For now, the Swede has climbed to a historic third place above the world’s best men’s player right now. The last time a Swede was so high in the world ranking was 1998, i.e. 24 years ago, when the icon Jan-Ove Waldner was at the peak of his career.
READ MORE: JO Waldner reveals his incredible contract – which is valid for the rest of his life(!): “The same compensation today as then”
“Fantastic”
Now the young Swede is following in the legend’s footsteps and receiving powerful recognition for his so far short career.
– It feels fantastic. Top three in the world in this sport is so damn big and mighty, really. It is a receipt for all the good work you have done and all the hard work you put in, says Möregårdh in an official press release.
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Next up is a tough challenge to keep third place in the rankings. As the WTT Cup Finals take place in Xinxiang, China later this week, the top 16 men’s players will battle it out for the title.
– It will be a real challenge to stay in third place in the world because there are a lot of ranking points at stake in this week’s competition, says Möregårdh in the statement.
READ MORE: Here, the ball genius JO Waldner is forced to face the Baywatch star with the world’s smallest table tennis rack
There is also nothing wrong with the 20-year-old’s self-confidence, but he enters the difficult competition with his head held high.
– You can hardly play a more difficult tournament in table tennis, because only the 16 best in the world can participate. It feels very fun and special to take part in this competition. What is the goal? Of course to try to win it, says Truls Möregårdh.
What a fantastic performance and Truls Möregårdh deserves all the accolades. Share the article and tell us what you think!