China sweep men's medals

It was the first time one country has won all the medals in the men's singles event.

Ma Lin won gold, while silver went to Wang Hao and bronze to Wang Liqin. The Chinese Men's trio emulated the feat of their female table tennis compatriots, who, 24 hours earlier, had occupied all three steps of the women's singles victory podium.

For Wang Hao, it was his second straight silver after finishing second at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games to Ryu Seung-min of the Republic of Korea.

The bronze medal was Wang Liqin's second in a row, after also finishing third four years previously, when he beat Jan-Ove Waldner of Sweden in the Athens bronze medal contest.

Ma Lin, a three-time runner-up in Men's Singles at the World Championships, finally tasted victory in a major championship. Ma had a three-games-to-one lead against Wang Hao on Saturday before Wang mounted a furious comeback, but Ma Lin saw off his compatriot in a long point at 10-9 to seal gold. Ma is the most successful male Table Tennis player in the Olympics, with three Olympic gold medals.

In the bronze medal contest, 42-year-old Jorgen Persson of Sweden made the better start against Wang Liqin, leading for much of the opening game, before Wang recovered to win it 13-11. It was the confidence boost that the world champion needed.

Wang Liqin dominated the second and third games as Persson, laboring with a thigh strain, was forced to call the masseur prior to the start of the fourth game. After a five-minute break, the Swede came out with all guns ablaze before Wang Liqin steadied and emerged victorious.

Age: 28 (date of birth: February 19, 1980)

Place of birth: Beijing, China

2008 Olympic results:

Two gold medals (singles and team)

Career achievements:

Four team gold medals, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2001 World Championships

Two mixed doubles gold medals, 2003, 1999 World Championships

One men's doubles gold medal, 2007 World Championships

Previous Olympic results:

Gold medallist, 2004 Olympics, men's doubles

Ninth place, 2004 Olympics, singles

Ma defeated world number one Wang Hao in the men's singles final to win gold at the 2008 Olympics and complete China's sweep of Olympic table tennis medals. In the 2003 China Open singles final, Ma's split footwear meant he had to borrow a shoe from the head coach of China's women's table tennis team, before continuing on to win the match.