Wang Nan

Updated: 2004-08-02 09:57

Events: singles, doubles

champion of women's sigles at the 27th Olympic Games.

When China's four-time Olympic gold medallist Deng Yaping retired in the years following the 1996 Atlanta Games, the nation needed a new queen for its No. 1 sport, table tennis. Wang Nan has emerged from the country's deep pool of talent to claim the throne.

The old met the new at the 1996 World Championships when the outgoing Deng faced the incoming Wang in both the singles and doubles gold-medal matches. Deng, a gold medallist in both categories at Atlanta and at the 1992 Barcelona Games, had too much experience for the young, attacking left-hander, beating her in both games. Yet, the signs of changing times were there.

As Deng cut back on her playing schedule, Wang won her first Pro Tour title in doubles in 1997. The next year, she collected both the singles and doubles titles. Last year, she added another Pro Tour doubles title. That was not the big one, though she also positioned herself as Deng's clear successor by emulating Deng's feat in becoming both singles and doubles world champion.

In 2000 she has continued her form to win numerous tournaments and remain atop the world rankings and Pro Tour standings.

The 2000 Sydney Olympic Games represent Wang's chance to make her ascension to the throne official. As the world's top-ranked women's player, she is favored to succeed.