Eugene Wang: ‘I have no regrets’ over Rio 2016 efforts

Courtesy of ITTF

Canada’s Eugene Wang says he has no regrets about how his Olympic journey unfolded at Rio 2016, and is already looking ahead to Tokyo 2020.

by Simon Daish

Wang (seeded 41st at Rio 2016) registered victory against Jorge Campos (Cuba) and Li Ahmet (Turkey) in rounds one and two of the Men’s Singles category in Rio, but lost out to the sixth seed Wong Chun Ting (Hong Kong) in the third round.

Born in Shijiazhuang, Hebei (China) Eugene Wang made the move to Canada in 2004, and went on to compete for the Canadian team at London 2012 where the team finished ninth. Then a positive Commonwealth Games campaign followed two years later in Glasgow, before picking up two bronze medals at the 2015 Pan American Games (1 singles, 1 team).

Being Canada’s sole male representative in the Rio 2016 Table Tennis competition, the weight of the country was placed on Wang’s shoulders but the 30-year-old was happy with how he performed at the Games:

“It is an honor to be part of Team Canada. Every time you learn something different and we are one big family during the games. I did not set a goal for myself, just play. I did okay and I have no regrets.” – Eugene Wang (Canada).

Wang went on to describe what competing at an Olympic Games is like before adding that he is already preparing for the next Olympic Games in four years’ time, “You can truly feel the difference between the Olympic Games and other competitions. Everyone gives their best, the competition started four years ago! Which means I have to start my preparation for Tokyo 2020 now!”

The other Canadian Table Tennis player at Rio 2016 was Mo Zhang who overcame Hana Matelova (Czech Republic) in round one, but was eliminated in the following match by Hungary’s Georgina Pota.