PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Jan-Ove Waldner’s talent is one of the finest we have in Swedish sports.
What he can’t do with a ball, absolutely no one else can.
But here comes an unexpected tribute that really says everything about JO’s greatness.
It was already in 1982 that the whole world caught the eye of the little ball genius Jan-Ove Waldner from Sweden. He was only 16 years old when he went to the EC final in Paris against his friend Mikael “The Apple” Appelgren.
Waldner’s career
Even if there was a loss that time for JO, it would be the start of a completely unparalleled sports career that lasted over several decades. With his unique talent and fantastic ball sense, Waldner conquered the whole world and helped tear down the Great Wall of China when Sweden became a major power in table tennis.
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The table tennis icon won a total of six World Cup golds, eleven European Championship golds and double World Cup titles during his career, but the biggest moment of course came during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Waldner was in great form and overcame all obstacles to win the biggest thing an athlete can win: Olympic gold.
READ MORE: When JO Waldner caused an entire arena to explode in huge cheers – with the heartwarming gesture towards the little boy
Tribute to JO
A feat that Jan-Ove Waldner would never repeat and later that year the Swedish table tennis hero was so deservedly awarded the Bragdguldet in 1992. A given choice that year and he was highly praised throughout the country.
– Good choice, I obviously appreciate a player like JO, who succeeded when it mattered most. He would certainly have succeeded in whatever ball sport he tried, even ice hockey, said the hockey coach Conny Evensson then.
– I have had JO as a favorite for Bragdguldet. He performed an outstanding performance in Barcelona and is a very worthy achievement medalist, said the alpine icon Pernilla Wiberg.
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But there was also an unexpected tribute in connection with the Gold of Achievement being awarded to Waldner. Namely from his own club at this time, Ängby SK. The club leader and firebrand Nisse Sandberg’s different praise to JO really says it all about what a king he was with his rack.
– He is a ping-pong monster when he wants to be, and then his opponent would rather go home. Actually, he probably belongs at Cirkus Scott, Sandberg said in an interview with Svenska Dagbladet in 1992.
READ MORE: When Jan-Ove Waldner wrote sports history and then did the most unexpected – Tomas Brolin reveals(!)
– Good choice, I obviously appreciate a player like JO, who succeeded when it mattered most. He would certainly have succeeded in whatever ball sport he tried, even ice hockey, said the hockey coach Conny Evensson.
– I have had JO as a favorite for Bragdguldet. He performed an outstanding performance in Barcelona and is a very worthy achievement medalist, said the alpine icon Pernilla Wiberg.
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