PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Jan-Ove Waldner is one of our greatest sporting heroes ever.
And as much as he has done for the sport of table tennis.
But now he singles out two other sports as the silliest in an open-hearted interview.
Not many are like the amazing one Jan-Ove Waldner. He has reaped so much success over the years and won everything there is to win as a table tennis player.
JO dominated
On the merit list we find an Olympic gold, six World Cup gold, 11 European Championship gold and twice he has won the World Cup during his incredible career. The good JO really dominated table tennis during an era marked by many blue-yellow triumphs.
The article continues after the picture.
Alongside the success with his ping-pong racket, Waldner has also been remembered for his nice personality and cocky attitude. He was truly the perfect mix of ball genius and sports star.
READ MORE: When Jan-Ove Waldner gave the smartest answer of all time to a foreign journalist after winning World Cup gold
Honest Waldners
To this day, he is considered one of table tennis’ greatest icons and one of Swedish sports’ truly great heroes. But in the 90s he was a real world star and everyone wanted to know everything about Jan-Ove Waldner, or “The Evergreen Tree” as he is called in China.
The article continues after the picture.
In an old interview, he speaks straight from the heart and tells honestly about personal interests and also what he thinks about God. JO admits what he would have done if it hadn’t been table tennis.
– Then it would have been football or tennis. If I would have been world class? Yes, I think so. At least in tennis. If you look at the money, I made the wrong choice!, he says in the interview with Aftonbladet.
READ MORE: Jan-Ove Waldner reveals his great childhood idol – who is one of Swedish sports’ foremost
Jan-Ove about God
Waldner is also asked about the three funniest people and answers: “John Cleese, Rowan Atkinson, Al Bundy”. Also, which is the favorite team: “There is only one: Hammarby”.
Jan-Ove Waldner is then asked which are the two most silly sports. And then points out the two most unexpected sports that he doesn’t think too highly of.
– Wrestling and cricket, says the table tennis icon to the evening newspaper.
The final question then becomes highly personal when the ball genius gets to give his honest view of God and whether he believes in a higher power.
– Yes, when I win Olympic gold, haha. Well, I’m not the type to sit and pray or believe in an afterlife, admits JO.
Surely Jan-Ove Waldner is one of Swedish sports’ greatest ever? Share the article and have your say!