2000 Sydney Olympic - Kong Linghui vs Jan-Ove Waldner

[dankaren95]

Kong's win was of completely skills. His service return was excellent in this game, better than others against Waldner. He worked really hard for the victory as you can see by his celebration at the end. To defeat Waldner was China's primary goal in those days. Ever since they changed the rule serving, Waldner was no longer a threat. Timo is nothing compared to Waldner in those days, as China has 5 guys who can beat him. Back then, China only had Kong and Liu, and they didn't always beat him.

[IIkingdomII]

@dankaren95 china did a lot better when they switched from penhold to shakehand grips. waldner knew how to beat penhold players. the weakness is too much.

[4rfv4rfv]

THE FORCE IS STRONG ON THIS ONE

[lockwyn]

wp kong!

[beancube2010]

Kong controlled Waldner just like Waldner controlled Ma Lin. They just turn yourself the enemy of yourself. They all have nice plays. Enjoy it.

[marioehw]

hehe i´ve played for a long time table tennis but i never saw kong serve before maybe isn´t a common style or it´s his own style hehe strange but his serve was verry effective JO didn´t attacked it in the whole match.

[IIkingdomII]

@marioehw who could attack any serve back when you could hide your serve?

[KILIMANJARO9]

unbelievable how many mistakes from waldner. Total problem with rotations from probably FP4, double happiness of friendship rubbers from Kong.

[hkjkdsifu]

Kong is such a brilliant player! I also like the the way Waldner is so dignified whether in triumph or defeat.

[josuecochi]

waldner did always search the point, Kong did play control way

[waldner97]

everybody that agree with me that waldner still is the best player ever do a thumb up for me

[aijirew]

I am sure that Waldner knows it wasn't luck.

[MZ80CC]

A famous Swedish down hill skiier, Ingemar Stenmark, ones was asked by a journalist: But today you really had a lot of luck. Stenmark replied: Yes isn´t it strange, the more I practise, the more luck I have.

By this I want to say, you don´t get lucky if you don´t deserve it. Of course, luck can play a part in one point or another but you don´t win an Olympic Gold medal only by luck. Kong deserved his medal but I think also Waldner didn´t have his best day.

[tabletennisGL]

JO Waldner is the better player, in this game he was unconcentrated. He made a lot of easy mistakes, what kong didn´t. i´m sorry for my english, i´m german.

[KaxMisha]

@tabletennisGL Idiot.

[mail2yuli]

@tabletennisGL I don't think so. I watched the TV live ten years ago. Kong was the rank No.1 on ITTF at that time, rather than JO. You should think about the reason to JO's so many "easy mistakes" -- the stable offensive skill of Kong :)

[PingMast]

why kong onli use that serve to play?

[DuchDoby]

I saw that match in real and i remember that very good...Kong was a great player but this final has just luck...Walnder should win :)

[NexxtGen]

@DuchDoby luck is nothing less than REALLY good aiming at the edges and taking risks

[jayjaymatt]

@DuchDoby there no luck there at all! kong didnt get one net or edge or anything in that final set atleast. he straight up outplayed waldner and deserved the win

[quyenthenghiem]

What an ignorant comment. This is the highest level of table tennis, and you attribute Kong's win to luck?!

Get real. All the luck in the world will not win the Olympic title, much less against the great Waldner. Kong's win was the result of immense concentration and skill. To have anyone say that Kong won due to luck means that they don't know anything about table tennis.

[brahms008]

@quyenthenghiem

I agree with this comment.

Kong is so talented and I love his style...

The best player ever with hybrid topspin style from the Globe 999 topsheet !

[17teacmrocks]

@quyenthenghiem klh outplayed waldner. he even said so after game. the reverse serve late in the match threw him off and klh came out the winner in more rallies

[Magictricks9]

Yes, i also do think that J-O is a better player, but the luck that kong had, is the relult of Luck=alot of training.

[PingMast]

now the chinese CHO...last time they CHA!

[DuchDoby]

Kong has luck. JOW is much better...

[TTMemo]

@DuchDoby

hmm........21-13

hmmm luck.......

[ChenWeixing92]

yeye king kong