South Korean wins men’s gold in table tennis

Chinese finish with silver, bronze medals

updated 9:45 a.m. ET Aug. 23, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - Ryu Seung-min beat China’s Wang Hao in six games Monday, becoming the first South Korean to win the men’s table tennis gold medal since the sport was added at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

Ryu, ranked third in the world, won 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 11-9, ending China’s long run of men’s singles titles.

“I didn’t quite expect this, so I am quite thrilled,” said Ryu, who upon winning launched himself into his coach’s arms, wrapping his legs around Kim Teak-soo’s hips.

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China has won 16 of the table tennis gold medals, sweeping all four — two singles, two doubles — in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

It marked the first time that Ryu defeated Wang since the 1999 Asian Youth Championships. Before Monday, the Korean had lost their six previous matches.

Wang Liqin of China won the bronze.

Table tennis - Men's singles (medals: Aug. 23rd)
Medal Athlete Country Result
Gold Ryu Seung-min South Korea 11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-13, 11-9
Silver Wang Hao China
Bronze Wang Liqin China 10-12 11-3 11-8 11-7 11-9
NBCO: Schedules, preliminary result and complete final results