Paris 2024: World No. 1 Wang Chuqin forced to use backup paddle, suffers shock exit

China's world No. 1 men's singles paddler Wang Chuqin has played down the impact of a forced paddle change on his unexpected round of 32 loss in the singles event at the Paris Olympics.

Wang was beaten 2-3 by Sweden's Truls Moregardh, less than 24 hours after he celebrated his gold medal win in the mixed doubles on July 30.

[Pmz]

One steps on his paddle, while another walks right into him..what's up with camera carrying reporters in this 2024 Paris Olympics ?

[acebarshil]

He didn’t blame the paddle, but shame on the people who carelessly stepped on it.

[yongjiezhao]

If you watched the post-match interview, you should know that he did not blame the loss on the racket being broken.

[RLeung-uq]

To all the haters shitting on WCQ, he gave all the credit to Truls Moregard. He said that Truls played better on the day and that it had nothing to do with his backup racquet. Even after loosing he embraced Truls to congratulate him unlike sore losers like American tennis player or Australia swimmer and their coach.

[doreenang]

Wang shows true sportsmanship here, recognising his own weaknesses. Not like some sore losers in other sports.

[LeeLee-xeeq]

The important thing here is: he didn't blame the paddle for his loss guys

[fh]

If the backup table tennis rackets had been identical to the original one, Wang Shuqin wouldn't have cried, and the coach wouldn't have been sorry to show the broken racket; he would have simply left it in the bag.

[TheWinezen]

Very grown up of him to not blame the paddle. A True champion

[lujiang]

Video evidence from the scene shows that it was Korean photographer No. 3488 who was stepped on by Lee Hsing-taek's heel and broken by his hands. Koreans still don't have the Olympic spirit

[danielyoung]

I applaud Wang Chuqin for not blaming his paddle, but I bet it made a difference.

[arronea]

It was done by a bespectacled Korean journalist. Koreans have never been sportsmanlike. Maybe they are jealous that China has taken away the championship again

[MrBdoleagle]

It was damaged by a Korean journalist, who stepped on Wang Chuqin’s paddle

[Jean-diut]

The quality of this headline is just shocking.
TheStar, you can do better.

[chank.y.]

WCQ IS EXCELLENT...
WORLD NO. 1
MAN SINGLE.
MAN DOUBLE.
MIXED DOUBLE.
TEAM champion
🏆🏆🏆🏆

[MontgomeryQuincy]

the qualities in those reporters are too low to be in the occasion like olympics. maybe sending them to report street interviews is more suitable

[谢朝阳-fs]

Many people don't know the importance of personal paddle to professional players. They should go back school to learn more knowledges

[guru]

I think Truls stepped on Wang's racket.

[keekengho-jqqe]

no one force him. there is no shock at all.

[chacalzinho]

Não cabe a desculpa da raquete pois WCQ tem outras raquetes idênticas. Parabéns Truls👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[kroshnix]

This news headline is stupid. Anyone who knows anything about table tennis know that the top pros change rubber every week. Some have the same blade that they use for sentimental reasons. But the blades are identical. Exactly the same weight to the gram etc. I played with the same Butterfly Mazunov Off+ blade for many years. The rubbers I changed all the time.