World domination: Can China's Olympic Games table tennis stranglehold be stopped?
The country has won 24 of 28 gold medals since the sport became an Olympic event in 1988, including all the golds at the last two editions in 2008 and 2012
China’s overwhelming domination of table tennis at the Olympic Games will likely continue in Rio de Janeiro, but there’s drama about just which member of the talented Chinese national team will prevail.
Starting on Saturday, there will also be intense competition among the rest of the world for bronze and, just maybe, a surprise gold or silver.
Among the other stories that could captivate: A 16-year-old American looks to make his name internationally, war-torn Syria gets their first Olympic table tennis entry and two female Paralympian athletes will also compete in Olympic matches.
Even if it’s another largely all-China affair, fans who tune in will be treated to a mesmerising mix of wicked spins and powerful slams, with players rocketing the small, lightweight, white plastic ball at each other in a blur of slicing parabolas.
Just qualifying for a Chinese team that has taken home 24 of 28 gold medals since table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988, and all the golds at the past two Games, is a major achievement.
