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Table tennis, a sport known for its speed, precision, and intense competition, has witnessed some of the most remarkable achievements by young athletes on the Olympic stage. In this blog post, we will explore the 10 youngest table tennis players who have clinched Olympic medals in Single’s Event. These prodigies have not only defied age barriers but have also inspired countless fans worldwide with their extraordinary performances.
10 Youngest Men Medalists
- Felix Lebrun – 17 years and 10 months (214 months)
BRONZE MEDAL
Alexis Lebrun, born on August 27, 2003, is a French table tennis player known for his rapid rise in the sport. He became the French national champion in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In Paris Olympics 2024, he defeated Hugo Calderano 4-0 to win the bronze medal. He is the youngest male table tennis player to win a medal in men’s singles event in the history of the sports at the Olympics.
2. Yoo Nam-Kyu – 20 years and 3 months (243 months)
GOLD MEDAL
Yoo Nam-kyu, born on June 4, 1968, is a former South Korean table tennis player. He won the gold medal in men’s singles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics by defeating his compatriot Kim Ki-taik. He is also the first ever gold medalist in table tennis at the Olympics.
3. Liu Guoliang – 20 years and 6 months (246 months)
GOLD MEDAL
Liu Guoliang, born January 10, 1976, is a retired Chinese table tennis player and coach. Liu is notable for achieving a career grand slam, winning the Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships. He won the gold medal in Men’s Singles event at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by defeating his compatriot Wang Tao.
4. Wang Hao – 20 years and 8 months (248 months)
SILVER MEDAL
Wang Hao, born December 15, 1983, is a retired Chinese table tennis player and current head coach of the Chinese Men’s Table Tennis Team. He is a multiple-time Olympic medalist, winning silver in singles at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympics. In 2004, he won his first silver medal at the age of 20 years old.
5. Truls Moregard – 22 years and 5 months (269 months)
SILVER MEDAL
Truls Möregårdh, born February 16, 2002, is a Swedish table tennis player known for his unpredictable style of playing. In one of the biggest upset in the history of the sports, he pulled an upset to beat world #1 Wang Chuqin in Round 32 of the Paris Olympics 2024. He lost to Fan Zhendong at the gold medal match, settling for a silver medal.
6. Jean-Philippe Gatien – 23 years and 9 months (285 months)
SILVER MEDAL
Jean-Philippe Gatien, born on October 16, 1968, is a retired French table tennis player. He competed in four Olympics from 1988 to 2000, winning a silver medal in singles at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when he lost to Jan-Ove Walder of Sweden.
7. Dimitrij Ovtcharov – 23 years and 10 months (286 months)
BRONZE MEDAL
Dimitrij Ovtcharov, born September 2, 1988, is a Ukrainian-born German table tennis player. He is a highly decorated Olympian with two silver and four bronze medals. He won his first medal at the 2012 London Olympics in men’s singles at the age of 23 years old.
8. Erik Lindh – 24 years and 4 months (292 months)
BRONZE MEDAL
Erik Lindh, born May 24, 1964, is a former Swedish table tennis player. He won a bronze medal in men’s singles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics at the age of 24. Lindh was a key member of the Swedish team that won gold at the World Team Championships in 1989, 1991, and 1993.
9. Kim Taek-soo – 24 years and 4 months (292 months)
BRONZE MEDAL
Kim Taek-soo, born May 25, 1970, is a former South Korean table tennis player known for his one-sided penhold style. He won bronze medals in singles at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics at the age of 24.
10. Zhang Jike – 24 years and 5 months (293 months)
GOLD MEDAL
Zhang Jike, born on February 16, 1988, is a retired Chinese table tennis player. He became the fourth male player to achieve a career Grand Slam, winning gold in men’s singles at the 2012 London Olympics by beating his compatriot Wang Hao at the age of 24
10 Youngest Women Medalists
- Deng Yaping – 19 years and 5 months (233 months)
GOLD MEDAL
Deng Yaping is a retired Chinese table tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history. Her Olympic highlight includes winning four gold medals: two in Barcelona 1992 (singles and doubles) and two in Atlanta 1996 (singles and team event). Deng’s dominance and technical prowess have left an enduring legacy in table tennis, inspiring generations of athletes worldwide.
2. Chen Jing – 20 years and 3 days (240 months)
GOLD MEDAL
3. Guo Yue – 20 years and 1 month (241 months)
BRONZE MEDAL
Guo Yue is a retired Chinese table tennis player known for her powerful forehand and agility. Guo Yue was a key member of China’s dominant women’s table tennis team during the 2000s, contributing to their global success with her aggressive playing style and mental toughness.
4. Sun Yingsha – 20 years and 8 month (248 months)
SILVER MEDAL
5. Mima Ito – 20 years and 9 month (249 months)
BRONZE MEDAL
6. Wang Nan – 21 years and 11 month (263 months)
GOLD MEDAL
7. Kim Song-i – 21 years and 11 month (263 months)
GOLD MEDAL
8. Ding Ning – 22 years and 1 month (265 months)
SILVER MEDAL
9. Hyun Jung-wa – 22 years and 9 month (273 months)
BRONZE MEDAL
10 . Zhang Yining – 22 years and 10 month (274 months)
GOLD MEDAL
10 Youngest Medalists (Men and Women Combined)
- Felix Lebrun – 17 years and 10 months
BRONZE MEDAL
2. Deng Yaping – 19 years and 5 months
GOLD MEDAL
3. Chen Jing – 20 years and 3 days
GOLD MEDAL
4. Guo Yue – 20 years and 1 month
BRONZE MEDAL
5. Yoo Nam-Kyu – 20 years and 3 month
GOLD MEDAL
6. Liu Guoliang – 20 years and 6 month
GOLD MEDAL
7. Sun Yingsha – 20 years and 8 month
SILVER MEDAL
8. Wang Hao – 20 years and 8 month
SILVER MEDAL
9. Mima Ito – 20 years and 9 month
BRONZE MEDAL
10 . Kim Song-i – 21 years and 10 month
BRONZE MEDAL
In conclusion, the youngest table tennis player to win an Olympics gold medal is Felix Lebrun. In female, the youngest is Deng Yaping.
For more details of all the ages of Olympic medalist in Singles event, visit here
Also you maybe interest in the 10 oldest table tennis players to win an Olympic medal
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1 thought on “10 Youngest Table Tennis Players to win an Olympic Medal”
France crowd in table tennis is wild. We need that kind of atmosphere and crowd cheering.