PARIS: Chinese world number one Wang Chuqin suffered a shock defeat in the men’s Olympic singles on Wednesday, a day after breaking her racket.
Wang won mixed doubles gold in Paris on Tuesday, but his excitement quickly turned to anger after a photographer accidentally snapped his bat as he jostled to take a picture.
Wang is now out of the singles round of 32 after losing 4-2 to 26th seed Truls Moregard of Sweden.
Moregard, 22, dropped to his knees in disbelief before making the rounds to the crowd, who rose in appreciation.
It has marked a mixed few days for Wang, 24.
He and playing partner Sun Yingsha beat North Korea in the mixed doubles final on Tuesday, but Wang admitted he “lost control of my emotions a little bit” after breaking his bat.
“I couldn’t understand why photographers would do that,” he said afterward.
“I guess they didn’t mean it. There’s nothing I can do now that it’s happened.”
“I believe I can still play well with my backup bat.”
Wang will next compete in the men’s team competition.
The incident occurred when Wang briefly put down his paddle to raise the Chinese flag in celebration, reporters at the scene said. China is the undisputed table tennis superpower and came to the French capital having won 32 of the 37 available golds since becoming an Olympic sport.
