Ma Long honored with ANOC’s outstanding Sporting Career Award
Farzad Youshanlou
October 31, 2024

Chinese table tennis icon Ma Long received the prestigious Outstanding Sporting Career Award from the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in a ceremony held in Cascais, Portugal. This award, presented at the ANOC’s 27th General Assembly, recognizes Ma’s exceptional achievements and enduring contributions to table tennis.

The 36-year-old has competed in four consecutive Olympic Games since his debut at London 2012, amassing a remarkable six Olympic gold medals and becoming China’s most decorated Olympian. Known as “The Dragon,” Ma is celebrated worldwide not only for his individual achievements but also for his dedication to team success and the strength of Chinese table tennis.

A HISTORIC CAREER OF FIRSTS

In 2016, Ma captured his first singles gold at the Rio Olympics, completing a career Grand Slam – an honor that marks victories in the Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cup. In the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he made history again by defending his singles title, becoming the first male table tennis player to win consecutive Olympic singles gold medals and achieving the sport’s first “double Grand Slam.” Ma’s unique accomplishments have cemented his legacy as a trailblazer and ambassador for table tennis.

Speaking after the award presentation, Ma expressed his gratitude to ANOC and acknowledged his teammates’ essential roles in his success: “This award represents not only my efforts but also those of the Chinese table tennis team. Four of my six Olympic gold medals came from the team event, which reflects our collective strength, and I am very grateful to my teammates.”

A video montage of Ma’s career highlights played during the ceremony, featuring memorable moments from his Olympic journey. Watching the footage, Ma reflected on his experiences, remarking, “It feels like my Olympic journey has flashed by in the blink of an eye.”

GLOBAL SPORTING EXPERIENCE

The awards ceremony also celebrated New Zealand’s Lisa Carrington, who joined Ma Long as a recipient of the Outstanding Sporting Career Award. Carrington, an Olympic kayaking legend with eight Olympic golds, has dominated her sport since London 2012, securing her place among the greatest athletes in kayaking history.

Additional honors recognized exceptional performances at the recent Paris Olympics. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo earned the Best Male Athlete award for his victory in the men’s 200m race, marking Botswana’s first Olympic gold. Julien Alfred of Saint Lucia was named Best Female Athlete after her historic win in the women’s 100m and a silver medal in the 200m, marking her country’s first Olympic podium finish.

Other highlights included the British women’s cycling sprint team winning the Best Women’s Team in Individual Sports, while the Japanese gymnastics team received the award for Best Men’s Team in Individual Sports. Denmark’s men’s handball team and Italy’s women’s volleyball team were also celebrated for their excellence as Best Teams at Paris 2024.

Ma Long’s achievements, alongside other honorees, reflect the perseverance, discipline, and passion that define elite sport. As he stood with his ANOC award, the Chinese veteran reminded the world of the profound impact of hard work and teamwork, a legacy that will continue to inspire athletes around the globe.

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