Wang Tao seals title for China!!! (Tianjin 1995)
Men’s Team: Final
Delight for the home fans as China takes the men’s team crown in Tianjin with a 3-2 victory over defending champions Sweden!
Defeated earlier in the tie but Wang Tao makes amends right when it matters the most, prevailing over Jorgen Persson (21-14, 21-13) to seal the title. This marks the 11th time China has lifted the trophy in the history of the event and means the country is now just one shy of 12 set by table toppers Hungary.
Going down to the wire (Tianjin 1995)
Men’s Team: Final
Well if you wanted a close contest then you’re wish has been granted! Both teams continue to lock horns in this most exciting of finals.
The third fixture of the match proved a spectacular watch with defensive specialist Ding Song, who also possesses a mighty forehand top spin, beating Peter Karlsson in a remarkably convincing manner (21-14, 21-11). However, Sweden responded immediately as Jan-Ove Waldner toppled Ma Wenge (13-21, 21-12, 21-17) to force a deciding fifth match.
Honours even, narrow margins in Tianjin (Tianjin 1995)
Men’s Team: Final
This is exactly the kind of start neutral fans would have been hoping to see in the men’s team final with China and Sweden still neck-and-neck after the opening two fixtures.
Down by one game in a best of three affair, Ma Wenge pulled off a fine comeback win over Jörgen Persson (22-24, 21-18, 21-18) to get the ball rolling for China. But, the advantage was short lived with Jan-Ove Waldner seeing off Wang Tao (21-16, 21-19) to level the scores at 1-1. Honours even so far.
China vs Sweden for men’s team glory (Tianjin 1995)
The moment has arrived, it’s time for the men’s team gold medal match here in Tianjin with China, backed up by the home crowd, taking on 1989, 1991 and 1993 champions Sweden for the 1995 title – which team will emerge victorious?
Exciting young Swede falls (Tokyo 1983)
Men’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Just 17 years of age, Jan-Ove Waldner is causing quite the stir back home in his native Sweden but his 1983 World Championships journey has been brought to a close.
Silver medallist at last year’s European Championships in Budapest, Waldner is already one of the continent’s brightest players. On this occasion, however, he has been outclassed by Chinese opposition as Wang Huiyuan cruises to a straight games win in Tokyo (21-18, 21-13, 22-20).
Second seed avoids same fate (Tokyo 1983)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Tong Ling’s defeat is a significant one but for the player seeded directly below her in second, Cao Yanhua the quarter-finals provided another opportunity to celebrate. A tight contest with fellow Chinese colleague Ni Xialian, Cao needed four games to finish the job (21-17, 21-16, 15-21, 21-15) to set up a semi-final clash with another compatriot in Qi Baoxiang.
Defending champion eliminated (Tokyo 1983)
Women’s Singles: Quarter-Finals
Gold medallist at the 1981 World Championships, two years later and China’s Tong Ling has suffered a shock departure from the women’s singles race here in Tokyo!
Meeting Yang Young Ja at the quarter-final hurdle the Korean was simply too good on this occasions, picking up a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Tong (21-10, 21-16, 21-9) to claim her ticket to the penultimate round.
