Chinese table tennis champion stripped of US$45,000 prize after 'shameful' celebration
A Chinese Olympic table tennis champion has been stripped of US$45,000 in prize money after he damaged advertising hoardings during an overenthusiastic victory celebration.
A Chinese world and Olympic table tennis champion may face further action after being stripped of US$45,000 in prize money for damaging advertising hoardings during overenthusiastic victory celebrations at a tournament in Germany.
Reigning men’s singles world and Olympic champion Zhang Jike kicked an advertising hoarding next to the court, breaking it, after beating fellow Chinese player Ma Long in the Liebherr Men’s World Cup final in Dusseldorf on Sunday.
He than ran to the opposite side of the arena and shattered a second advertising board with a flying kick, before stripping off his shirt and throwing it into the crowd.
Zhang fought back from three games down to overcome Olympic teammate Ma in a seven-game match, handing Ma his first defeat this year.