by sportswriters Wang Zijiang and Cao Jianjie
DOHA, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Dressed in casual shorts and a T-shirt, Jorgen Persson was quickly recognized by Chinese fans in the Lusail Sports Arena. Some rushed over for photos. "Who's that?" one asked. "The Swedish team coach," came the reply.
Most fans know him as Sweden's coach from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fewer remember that he was once the world's best player, winning the men's singles title at the 1991 World Table Tennis Championships - a high point in Sweden's golden era of table tennis.
"It's been a great honor to coach the Sweden team," Persson told Xinhua. "We finally made it back to the biggest stage." Under his guidance, Sweden earned two silver medals - in men's singles and men's team - at the Paris Olympics.
Shortly after the Olympics, Persson stepped down as head coach of Sweden and accepted an offer from the Saudi Table Tennis Federation to become their new national coach. Saudi Arabia did not field any players at this year's World Championships in Doha.
During a third-round men's singles match between China's Lin Shidong and Sweden's Kristian Karlsson, a highlights reel of Persson's 1991 world title win unexpectedly appeared on the stadium's giant screen.
"I didn't see my clip, but yesterday I saw one of Stellan Bengtsson," he said, referring to the 1971 men's singles champion, also from Sweden. "He was my idol growing up. He inspired me to take up table tennis. I also saw Wang Hao's video. It's moving to see those memories."
Persson reunited with old friends in Doha, including Wang Hao, head coach of China's men's team, and Wang Liqin, who was recently appointed president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association. Since his first visit to China in 1981, Persson has lost count of how many times he's returned. Over four decades, he has played a key role during the rivalry - and mutual respect - between Sweden and China.
He's still hoping to meet another "old friend": Liu Guoliang. "We always joke that we follow each other everywhere. We've had a great friendship for many years," Persson said. "We played so many matches against each other when China and Sweden were at the top. That creates a lasting bond."
The two recently met at the World Cup in Macao. "I'm glad it's back," Persson said of the tournament, which was previously discontinued. "I never understood why it was canceled in the first place."
Persson retired from international competition in 2013 after having participated in seven Olympic Games. He still follows Sweden's progress closely and said he was pleased to see Truls Moregard reach the semifinals in the men's singles in Doha. "It's not just about one player. You need a team," he said. "Building that team was a long but rewarding journey."
Now in his role with Saudi Arabia, Persson sees new challenges. "The salary is good, of course, but more importantly, it's a fresh start. They're investing in developing the sport. The long-term goal is to eventually qualify one or two players for the Olympics," he said. "The first step is setting small goals - organizing training camps, entering tournaments, and training abroad, including in China."
He still enjoys playing table tennis. "I love standing by the table. You have to have that passion," he said.
The Swedish table tennis community remains tight-knit. Just before this interview, Persson had been in touch with longtime teammate Jan-Ove Waldner. "He's doing TV commentating in Stockholm and enjoying life," he said. "Still hasn't gotten his driver's license, believe it or not. A guy with that kind of hand-eye coordination, failing the test over and over - it's funny. He's lost weight and walks a lot. He'll be playing some exhibition matches this summer."
ITTF president Petra Sorling, who is five years younger than Persson, also hails from Sweden. The two have known each other for years. "She's from Malmo, and I played for a club there. I hope she gets re-elected, and I hope China supports her."
Earlier this year, a biography titled The Kind World Champion was published in Sweden. The book features interviews with many people who all used the same word to describe him: kind.
"They found it interesting that I could be tough and competitive in matches but kind off the court," he said. "In today's world, why can't you be a kind person and also a champion?"
As Chinese fans flocked around him once more after the interview, Persson was asked whether now is the best time ever for table tennis.
"For China, it is," he replied with a smile. ■
