Jan-Ove Waldner
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Waldner was early recognized in 1982 as a 16 year old when he got to the final of the European Championship, losing to teammate Mikael Appelgren. As a youngster he along with other Swedish players went to a training camp in China, and was amazed by their dedication, and claims he learnt much there.
In China, a country that loves table tennis, he is the best known Swede and the best known sport person (rivalling Michael Jordan). He is referred to as "the evergreen tree", and people often flock to see him when he comes.
Waldner has as of 2006 been playing high level table tennis for some 20 years, unusual in the table tennis world where hand-eye coordination and quick reactions are important. Some young Chinese players that he played recently were trained by those he played in the 1990s, who were in turn trained by others he played in the 1980s.
In the 2004 Olympics he still proved to be among the top players.
Today he plays for TTC Rhön-Sprudel Fulda-Maberzell in the German Premier League.
World Championship
- 1983 Silver medal in team competition
- 1985 Silver medal in team competition
- 1987 Silver medal in single, silver medal in team competition
- 1989 Gold medal in single, gold medal in team competition
- 1991 Silver medal in single, gold medal in team competition
- 1993 Bronze medal in single, gold medal in team competition
- 1995 Silver medal in team competition
- 1997 Gold medal in single, silver medal in double
- 1999 Bronze medal in single
- 2000 Gold medal in team competition
European Championship
- 1982 Silver medal in single
- 1986 Gold medal in double, gold medal in team competition
- 1988 Bronze medal in single, Gold medal in double, gold medal in team competition
- 1990 Gold medal in team competition
- 1992 Gold medal in team competition
- 1994 Silver medal in single, silver medal in team competition
- 1996 Gold medal in single, gold medal in double, gold medal in team competition
- 2000 Gold medal in team competition
Olympic Games
- 1988 Final 8 in single
- 1992 Gold medal in single
- 1996 Final 16 in single
- 2000 Silver medal in single
- 2004 Fourth in single
References
- Svenskar i världen (Swedes in the World), Spring edition 2005, Swedish magazine.
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