Ma Long, known as the “dictator” of table tennis, is without a doubt one of the most outstanding athletes in the history of this sport. He was born on October 22, 1988 in Anshan, Liaoning, China and since he began his professional career, Ma Long has not stopped conquering the tables of the world thanks to his impressive technique, concentration and an iron will. In table tennis competitions, his name functions as a synonym for excellence.
Since his appearance on the world stage, Ma Long stood out as a sporting prodigy. His path to fame began at the Asian and World Youth Championships, where he was able to demonstrate his ability to compete at the highest level. In 2006, at just 17 years old, he became the youngest champion in the history of the World Team Championships.
The nickname “The Dictator” given to the athlete is not mere exaggeration. The intensity and dominance with which he won his games revealed a player who, in addition to intensely seeking victory, desired total supremacy over his rivals. This thought led him to be number one in the world rankings for a total of 64 months, including an uninterrupted streak of 34 months from 2015 to 2017. No other player in the history of table tennis has achieved such a record.
An unstoppable dominance in the world championships
Ma Long’s time in international competitions is worthy of being told in chapters. In 2015, he won his first World Singles Championship by defeating China’s Fang Bo in an epic final that included a rally considered by many to be the “point of the century.”
Later, in 2017, he finished consolidating his successful image with an exciting final against his compatriot Fan Zhendong. This game was a true demonstration of his mental resilience and ability to remain calm in the most critical moments.
In 2019, he again won the world championships by beating the Swede Mattias Falck, which allowed him to win his third consecutive world championship.
A career full of Olympic triumphs and historical records in table tennis
Despite all these impressive achievements, Ma Long’s story is not limited to the world championships. His Olympic career has been equally impressive. At the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Chinese athlete won the gold medal in the individual category.
Four years later, at Rio 2016, he once again demonstrated his supremacy by winning both individual and team events. This victory made him the fifth player in history to complete the “Grand Slam” of table tennis, a title reserved for those who have won the three major titles: the Olympic Games, the World Championships and the World Cup. Thus, Ma Long joined the list of elite players such as Jan-Ove Waldner, Liu Guoliang and Zhang Jike.
The standout player also made his mark in ITTF Pro Tour competitions. There he became the first male player to win all the individual titles.
After a long career full of the most impressive achievements and records, Ma Long has announced his retirement in 2024, after the World Team Championships. You could say that this closure marks the end of an era in table tennis.
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