Timo Boll beats Zhang Jike, Ma Long helps his team reach Finals

It took Ma Long's power for China to advance to the finals of the Team event in the London Olympics because Timo Boll upset the newly crowned Olympic Champion, Zhang Jike. Ma Long beat both Ovtcharov and Bastian Steger. The Chinese doubles pair beat the Germans in between.

In the other semi final, Korea beat Hong Kong quite easily, although they faced resistance in a couple of the matches. Experienced Ryu Seung Min played the strong man in that encounter. So, it was the players who did not compete in the Singles event, who played the main role.

Men's Olympic Team event semi finals:

China bt Germany 3-1
Korea Rep bt Hong Kong 3-0

The finals will be played tomorrow. In the women's finals, China faces Japan, who beat the ultra strong Singapore team 3-0!

Olympic Champ Ryu Weds

Photo courtesy tabletennista.com

2004 Olympic Table Tennis Champion, Ryu Seung Min exchanged vows with Lee Yun Hee at the Renaissance Seoul Hotel recently.

Ryu has been having a relatively bad patch off late. But here's hoping that his new wife will bring good luck to his TT career.

Photo courtesy tabletennista.com

Player Profile: Arpit Bhopalkar

Arpit in Action Away from the Table

Name: Arpit Bhopalkar

Place: Indore, Madhya Pradesh (India)

Club: Happy Wanderers, Abhay Prashal

Coach/Trainer: Srikant Mandwikar

TT Achievements: 

World Railways (Moscow) Champion

World Railways Team Champions

Junior Nationals Bronze

Represented India in Asian Juniors

SAF Junior Gold Medal

Sr Nationals Quarterfinals

Ranked Jt No.1 in Cadet, No. 2 in Sub Juniors and No. 6 in Juniors

MP State Champion

Favourite Player: Jan Ove Waldner and Ryu Seung Min

Weapon of Choice: Forehand topspin

TT Ambition: To represent India (Senior team), to win medals at International level for India.

Hobby: Music, Playing Guitar, and Comedy.