Wang Liqin vs Kong Linghui

+1

I would like to see that too.

Thot wrote: http://bdyoutube.com/video/IcB-WvraMCA/OSAKA-2001-wmv.html

Page cannot be found. D=

Thot wrote: http://bdyoutube.com/video/IcB-WvraMCA/OSAKA-2001-wmv.html

Correct link Credit for posting the link goes to Thot. I got the youtube link from his link (which he had accidentally misformatted).

... that was awesome. Thanks for posting!

I love you infinite_loop!

Thanks a billion!

Enjoy everyone!

Wow, if they had 11 point scoring back then Kong would have won 4-0

Jonan wrote: Wow, if they had 11 point scoring back then Kong would have won 4-0

Maybe.. But remember that his momentum would also have been screwed around with since each player gets two serves rather than five.

Just a thought though.

ohhgourami wrote: If only WLQ had his experience and polished technique back then, KLH would have lost 4-0.History is history and lets leave it as that.� It's already disappointing enough that WLQ didn't also win the 2003 and 2009 WTTC.� And it was disappointing that RSM beat Wang Hao in Athens.� Oh not to mention that WLQ lost of Ma Lin in Beijing...

Well someone has their clear favorites. May have been disappointing to you, but not to most other people.

Jonan wrote: ohhgourami wrote: If only WLQ had his experience and polished technique back then, KLH would have lost 4-0.History is history and lets leave it as that.  It's already disappointing enough that WLQ didn't also win the 2003 and 2009 WTTC.  And it was disappointing that RSM beat Wang Hao in Athens.  Oh not to mention that WLQ lost of Ma Lin in Beijing... Well someone has their clear favorites. May have been disappointing to you, but not to most other people.

That's why I said "History is history and let's leave it as that"

the french comments were all %^&ed up!!! totally biased in favor of Kong...at 2-0 for kong it's like "oh the master is giving a lesson to wang"...later it's more "oh kong can't do it anymore; wang does not make any mistake".

fatt wrote: the french comments were all %^&ed up!!! totally biased in favor of Kong...at 2-0 for kong it's like "oh the master is giving a lesson to wang"...later it's more "oh kong can't do it anymore; wang does not make any mistake". LOL �

Well come on, those two first games were extremely one sided, like 21-11 in both, so they were commenting on how extremely well the champion was doing, then when Wang came back and did well they should have been saying how he made so few mistakes and was playing very well...

theman wrote: leading 2-0, you would suspect a dump, but dumping at the final of a world championships must really hurt inside�

True that.

I just love this match.

Baal wrote: If you can't appreciate� the grace, footwork, and tactics of Kong Linghui then you don't really love table tennis.� I say this as a huge admirer and fan of WLQ.

I don't think Kong Linghui was superior in ralleys, nor had outstanding pressure in his topspins. Also, he was quite passive, pushed and blocked too much and took too less risk. He was a great tactician with some spin variations and seldom returned the ball too high, but great footwork? For me Zhang Jike is an improved version of Kong Linghui, he has a similar style but without the deficits of Kong (passiveness), Jike is an even more complete player, and he is still young. Especially his backhand opening loops near the net are superb, in these situations Kong would have just pushed the ball, giving the initiative away.

KLH vs WLQ in Osaka. The chinese commentator version was by a chinese coach. The fact is WLQ won most of their encounters be it training or competition. That was WLQ first world championship final and he was very nervous then. Once he got his momentum, KLH was no match to him.

As for improved version, I would say different generations got different techniques and emphasis. Only if Zhang Jike and Ma Long won more than what KLH and WLQ won, could we say they are better one.

Just remember that these coaches have a vested interest in making the claim that their latest player is the "improved" version of their previous product, thereby giving the people who pay and promote them confidence in "progress".  Of course the gold standard will be world championships and other significant victories.  WLQ and KLH both set a standard that will be tough for these "improved" versions to match.