HONG KONG: As the Olympics fast approaches, men's defending champion Ryu Seung-min (pic) can be forgiven for feeling a little nervous.

Four years ago in Athens, Seung-min stunned China by playing the table tennis of his life to clinch the gold medal.

It was a proud moment for South Korea, but an embarrassing one for China, the superpower of the sport, who were widely expected to whitewash the competition, especially in the coveted men's singles.

Fast forward to 2008, and China's formidable paddlers, their skills honed and with national pride on the line, are set for revenge in Beijing.

In front of thousands of frenzied fans at the Peking University Gymnasium, China are determined to demolish all who step up to the tables, with the South Korean champion firmly in their sights.
But Seung-min, ranked eight in the world, seems unfazed by the onslaught heading his way, and insists he's looking forward to defending his title.

"No, there's no pressure. I've already proven myself at the Olympics. If I were the No 1 player in the world, I suppose I would feel more pressure," the 25-year-old said at a training session in Seoul.

"But I am just one of the players challenging China's top players or the top players from Europe," he said.



Unfailingly polite and widely respected in the sport -- he donated US$10,000 (RM32,446) to the China earthquake disaster shortly after being beaten by China's top player at the Korean Open -- Seung-min has stepped up his Olympic campaign to overdrive.

In recent months he has criss-crossed the globe, competing in every tournament in an exhausting attempt to claw his way up the rankings before Beijing and avoid meeting China's paddlers, who are set to be the top three seeds, in the early stages of the draw.

"I've been playing a lot of overseas events of late and I am a bit tired. But I need to get a good seed at the Olympics so I am forcing myself through these tournaments. But I have no injuries to speak of at this moment."

Along the way, Seung-min, known for his fast footwork and explosive forehand loops, has clinched the Chile Open, his third singles title on the Pro-Tour, and his first since Athens.

But his victories pale in comparison to the triumphs of China's heavyweights -- Wang Hao, Ma Lin and Wang Liqin -- who have won every major title.

Wang Liqin is a three-time world champion, Ma Lin, a four-time World Cup winner, while Wang Hao -- the young paddler who Seung-min beat in Athens for gold -- has been the World No 1 for nine straight months.

Their astonishing records, which are equally impressive on the women's side, are an acute reminder of China's near stranglehold on the sport.

Seung-min has rarely beaten Wang Hao, now 24 and seemingly with nerves of steel, in their numerous encounters since Athens. And he knows that any rematch in Beijing will be extremely difficult.

"I am trying," Seung-min said with a laugh, of his attempts to defeat Wang Hao, who won six titles alone last year.

"I know Wang is the best player in the world and is showing great form. But he is human too, and he can be beaten." -- AFP