Wang Chuqin, experienced a surprising loss in the men’s Olympic table tennis singles. GETTY IMAGES

China’s top-ranked table tennis player, Wang Chuqin, experienced a surprising loss in the men’s Olympic singles on Wednesday, just one day after his bat was damaged.

The 24-year-old had celebrated winning gold in the mixed doubles on Tuesday in Paris, was swiftly angered when a photographer accidentally damaged his bat while trying to get a photo. Less than a day later, Wang was knocked out of the men’s singles in the round of 32 by Sweden's 26th-ranked Truls Moregard, who defeated him 4-2.

Moregard, visibly stunned, dropped to the floor in disbelief before making his way around the crowd, which cheered loudly in support of the underdog. The events marked a turbulent couple of days for the Chinese star.

Alongside his partner Sun Yingsha, Chuqin triumphed over North Korea in the mixed doubles final. However, Wang admitted that he "lost control of my emotions a little" after a photographer inadvertently broke his bat. In table tennis, a familiar bat and its grip are crucial for players. Despite this, Wang chose not to attribute his surprising loss to the unheralded Moregard to his replacement bat.

"It didn't really have an influence on the match," Wang told AFP. "It was just that my opponent played really, really well." Wang will next compete in the men’s team event.

China's Wang Chuqin suffered a shock loss in the table tennis. GETTY IMAGES
China's Wang Chuqin suffered a shock loss in the table tennis. GETTY IMAGES





Moregard, who finally defeated Wang after eight previous attempts, expressed his excitement. "I had a feeling I could beat him today," he said. "I've almost never taken a set against Wang so it's crazy to win here at the Olympics."

Coached by his older brother Malte, Moregard noted that Wang was not at his best but dismissed any connection to Wang’s bat. "I think you have 10 rackets at least and 500 rubbers here, so it doesn't matter if you lose your bat. I mean, I don't know which one is my first or third, so it doesn't matter," Moregard said.

Despite Wang’s loss, China remains the dominant force in table tennis, having secured 32 of the 37 gold medals available since the sport was added to the Olympics.