South Korean defending singles champion Ryu Seung-min failed to make it to the top 16 after being knocked out in the third round of the Olympic men's singles table tennis tournament on Thursday.
Ryu lost to 32nd-ranked Ko Lai Chak of Hong Kong, China 4-2 (7-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5, 10-12), the biggest surprise of the day.
"I was too keen to win. Even though there has not been a great deal of pressure on me, I have met many strong rivals in the tournament," Ryu said.
Ryu, who turned 26 on Aug. 5, did not live up to his top billing and suffered a string of defeats in clashes with several lower-ranked players in the team event.
Coach Yoo Nam-kyu has expressed worries about Ryu's unsteady form before the start of the singles event. He said that the team has made limited progress during the 7-month period of his absence.
South Korea overpowered Austria 3-1 to capture the men's bronze medal in the team competition Monday.
"I hope that I can repeat the Athens glory. But now it is a bit more difficult than in Athens. Anyway, I'll try my best," Ryu said earlier this week.
Four years ago in Athens, Ryu beat the then rising star Wang Hao of China in the final to clinch the most coveted singles title, a pity that China smarted over time and again.
In his rematch with Wang in the team semifinal last Saturday, Ryu appeared more on a defensive side and could not withstand Wang's skillful serves and returns, losing 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 6-11.
Ko said that he knew Ryu very well. "I knew that I had to take the initiative in attacking. Both of us are poor at denfense. Whoever attacked more had a greater chance to win," said Ko, who captured the doubles silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics with Li Ching.
(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2008)