2024 Paris Olympics: Ma Long Makes History Winning Gold

Ma Long, a five-time gold medalist, wins yet another Olympic gold. The legend set Chinese Olympic history on Friday, winning his sixth gold medal in the men’s team event in Paris. Ma, already the most successful Olympic table tennis player, became China’s most decorated Olympian with six gold medals. 

The 35-year-old Ma Long has stated that Paris will be his final Olympics, although he has no plans to retire completely from the sport. The Chinese beat Sweden 3-0 in the final. But each match was a five-game drama, with the seventh-seeded Europeans pushing them all the way. Sweden and France won their first medals in the table tennis team event. Both marked the first time two European nations stood on the podium.

Ma Long Shines As China Retain Title

In the opening match of the final, Ma joined up with Wang Chuqin, who had previously damaged his bat owing to an overly excited photographer. The Chinese duo rapidly took a 6-1 lead in the first game, but Anton Kallberg and Kristian Karlsson battled to win 11-8. The South Paris Arena was filled to full, with a massive crowd supporting China. Even many dressed in the country’s unique red. 

The crowd cheered Ma Long and Wang to win the following game, but the closely contested clash was decided in a fifth game. Appropriately, Ma delivered the winning point with a strong forehand down the center, giving China a 1-0 lead in the final and setting them up for another gold medal. It is unclear how long Ma Long will continue to compete. 

Paddler Ma Long’s Road to Greatness

China, the unmatched powerhouse of table tennis, has won gold in mixed doubles, women’s singles, men’s singles, and men’s team events in Paris. China and Japan will square off in the last event, the women’s team competition, on Saturday. Since table tennis became an Olympic event in 1988, China has won 32 of the 37 possible gold medals. The only other countries to have won gold are South Korea (three), Japan, and Sweden (one each). 

With his sixth gold, Ma overcame divers Wu Minxia and Chen Ruolin, as well as gymnast Zou Kai. Now, Ma Long has become the most-awarded Chinese athlete in Olympic history. In addition to his record-breaking number of Olympic gold medals, Ma has won 14 international titles. And served as China’s male flag-bearer during the opening ceremony. In his absence from the Olympics, Fan Zhendong won gold. 

Ma’s Career After Historic Win

Besides this big win, it is unclear how much longer Ma Long will play. After winning gold in Paris, he has claimed that he may not compete in any of the Asian Games events. He disclosed that “this could well be my final Asian Games.” Ma undoubtedly created history. Now, Ma Long is the first Chinese athlete to win six Olympic gold medals in any sport. It’s a significant reward for both Ma Long and the people of the Republic of China. Moreover, China will face Japan in the final on Saturday for the women’s team championship. The only other countries to have won gold are South Korea (three), Japan, and Sweden (one each).