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Wang Nan
Updated: 2004-08-02 09:57
 Events: singles, doubles
champion of women's sigles at the 27th Olympic Games.
When China's four-time Olympic gold medallist Deng Yaping retired in the
years following the 1996 Atlanta Games, the nation needed a new queen for its
No. 1 sport, table tennis. Wang Nan has emerged from the country's deep pool of
talent to claim the throne.
The old met the new at the 1996 World Championships when the outgoing Deng
faced the incoming Wang in both the singles and doubles gold-medal matches.
Deng, a gold medallist in both categories at Atlanta and at the 1992 Barcelona
Games, had too much experience for the young, attacking left-hander, beating her
in both games. Yet, the signs of changing times were there.
As Deng cut back on her playing schedule, Wang won her first Pro Tour title
in doubles in 1997. The next year, she collected both the singles and doubles
titles. Last year, she added another Pro Tour doubles title. That was not the
big one, though she also positioned herself as Deng's clear successor by
emulating Deng's feat in becoming both singles and doubles world champion.
In 2000 she has continued her form to win numerous tournaments and remain
atop the world rankings and Pro Tour standings.
The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games represent Wang's chance to make her ascension
to the throne official. As the world's top-ranked women's player, she is favored
to succeed.
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