Kong wins gold in a dramatic comeback! (1995 Tianjin)

Kong Linghui has defied the expectations and the scoreboard to make a splendid comeback and win the men’s gold at the 1995 World Table Tennis Championships!

After being down by a game in three, Kong rallied his strength and won the remaining two games in style to defeat Chinese colleague Liu Guiliang and secure the gold medal, winning 3-2 (17-21, 21-16, 15-21, 21-14, 21-10).

Liu takes the lead in the final (1995 Tianjin)

And here it is – the final of the men’s singles at the 1995 World Table Tennis Championships in Tianjin! Kong Linghui is taking on Liu Guoliang, and the latter has made a very strong start.

Liu leads Kong by 2-1 (21-17, 16-21, 21-15) and is looking menacing on the counter, as he has managed to keep Kong from playing his usual game. Will this be enough for Liu to secure the title?

Liu in the clear against Wang (1995 Tianjin)

In the second semi-final of the men’s singles, Liu Guoliang has seen off the challenge of teammate Wang Tao in four games, meaning he will meet Kong Linghui in the final later.

Despite losing the first game 17-21, Liu gathered himself relatively quickly and prevented any more setbacks by winning three games on the bounce thereafter (17-21, 21-15, 21-18, 21-16).

Kong sees off Ding to reach final (1995 Tianjin)

A marathon three games saw Kong Linghui defeat his Chinese compatriot Ding Song in the semi-finals of the men’s singles here at the 1995 World Table Tennis Championships.

Winning 3-0 (21-12, 25-18, 21-18), Kong was pushed to his limits by Ding, especially in the second game where the scoreboard was just on an upward curve at one point. Eventually, Kong found a way around Ding’s defence and made sure his final blow counted to finish off the match in style.