Paris Olympics: China’s Wang refuses to blame shock table tennis loss on damaged paddle

China’s table tennis player Wang Chuqin has refused to blame a broken paddle for his shock loss in the early rounds of the men’s singles table tennis on Wednesday.

The world’s No 1 lost 4-2 in the round of 32 to Sweden’s Truls Moregard, in the biggest upset at the Paris Olympics so far.

While compatriot Fan Zhendong beat Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting 4-1 to keep his medal hopes alive, Wang’s defeat means China will not win gold and silver in the event for the first time since the Athens Games in 2004.

“I didn’t play well. I had chances in the first and fifth rounds but didn’t take them. I think Moregard deserved the win today,” Wang said.

The 24-year-old won China’s first table tennis gold of the Games with Sun Yingsha in the mixed doubles on Tuesday, but later found his paddle had been damaged by overzealous photographers.

When asked if the paddle issue affected his performance, Wang said using the backup bat “did not make a difference.”