Zhang pockets slam
Zhang Jike completed the table tennis Grand Slam as Wang Hao endured more Olympics heartache at the London 2012 Games.
Last Updated: 02/08/12 5:19pm
Zhang Jike completed the table tennis Grand Slam as Wang Hao endured more Olympics heartache at the London 2012 Games.
Wang had ended with silver at the two previous showpieces, in Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004.
And the 28-year-old failed to go one step further again, meaning he is likely to end his glittering career without winning all of table tennis' biggest prizes.
Both entered the final knowing they could become just the fourth man to complete the Slam of World Cup, World Championships and Olympic success, following in the footsteps of countrymen Liu Guoliang - who now coaches China's men - and Kong Linghui as well as Sweden's Jan-Ove Waldner.
Yet it was 22-year-old Zhang who came out on top, romping to a 4-1 (18-16, 11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 13-11) success and, in the process, becoming the youngest player to achieve the feat.
As a result, China is now halfway to its target of winning every table tennis gold on offer, with the team events to start on Friday.
