Bridge Builders:
Jan-Ove Waldner
How Sweden and China
were brought together
by 'the Mozart of table tennis'
Bridge Builders:
Jan-Ove Waldner
How Sweden and China
were brought together
by 'the Mozart of table tennis'
Very few athletes have transcended their sport quite like Jan-Ove Waldner. Nicknamed 'the Mozart of table tennis', the Swede is synonymous with excellence – not just for his medal tally, but for his rare role in bringing China and Sweden closer together.
"I think he became a superstar because he played against so many Chinese generations," says Waldner's longtime manager, Matthias Frisk. "And I think the crowd liked his tough games throughout the 90s. Sometimes China won, sometimes Sweden won. So I think people like to watch that."
From mascot to champion
Waldner's journey to table tennis greatness began in Stockholm in 1971, when he joined a local sports club with his brother – or at least, he tried to.
"They took him. He was eight. But I was too young," Waldner explains, as he leads CGTN through the narrow corridors of Spårvägens BTK. "I looked maybe like four, but I was six. So I had to be the mascot in the beginning."
Luckily, after watching Waldner play, club officials quickly realized his potential. "After one or two practices they took me," he smiles. "They said 'It's okay, you can play in the club.'"
Today, over 50 years later, the tables are still lined up in that same hall and a new generation of Swedish talent is at practice. They return shots with a precision which belies their years – but as soon as Waldner enters the room, they surround their hero, begging for his autograph.
"He's a legend," one young Swedish player says as he watches from the sidelines. "When I play here, I think of him all the time. If he could do it from here, maybe I can too."
A unique opportunity
Waldner got his first big opportunity aged just 14. As a promising young talent he was invited to join a training camp in Shanghai – almost 8,000 kilometers from his home, and a million miles from everything he was used to. The experience would turn out to be life-changing.
"It was very tough, very hard because conditions were a little bit different," Waldner explains.
During his three weeks in China, he began to see table tennis through fresh eyes, realising not everyone played the same way – from how they gripped the bat, to the intensity of training.
"The playing style was a lot different because all European players play 'shakehand style' – they [Chinese players] have the penhold, the grip, they have so many different styles...
"If you think how my career was, I think it was very important that I could play against so many different styles when I was very young."
The path to victory
When Waldner returned to Stockholm, he knew he was a better player. "My level was much higher, I could practice longer... my body was much stronger… I knew what it would take to win."
As Waldner continued his career, that knowledge would bear fruit in spectacular fashion. In 1992, he made history by becoming the first – and still only – European to win Olympic gold in table tennis.
But it was at the 1995 World Championships that he finally realised how deeply Chinese fans had taken him to their hearts.
"We played China in the final, in China, and I won the first match and then I was really afraid to go out from the hall," he admits.
"But then I saw like ten thousand were standing up and making some applause and then I knew that it was special. This was one of my biggest moments."
From admired opponent to adopted icon
As Waldner became a household name in China, he formed genuine friendships with Chinese greats built on mutual respect. He describes how players would often meet up after tournaments to share a drink and relax.
Though initially he was hindered by language barriers, he says: "Now it's much better. My connection with players like Ma Long and Chen Meng is much better… It's easier to connect with them."
'It's a special story between me and China.'
As the years passed, Waldner earned the affectionate nickname Lao Wa, or 'Old Wa,' and his mere presence at any event could draw crowds of thousands. As an example, manager Mattias Frisk recalls the launch of an Ikea store.
"There were so many crowds coming, like 120,000 people," laughs Frisk. "He likes to meet the people, play with them, sign autographs… And they love him."
And the feeling is mutual. "If I meet Chinese people in the taxi, they'll come in like we are friends: 'How are you, Lao Wa?'" Waldner smiles. "It's so funny, they start to speak Chinese with me… It's a special story, I think, between me and China."
From table tennis to boardroom table
Eventually Waldner's bond with China deepened to include entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2004, he opened a restaurant in Beijing, and it quickly became his base of operations.
"There were a lot of Swedes living in China," he recalls. "It was really good – press conferences, opening events. We made it easy to come to the restaurant. We had kids, children… it was good."
Operating a business in China gave Waldner a unique perspective and helped him expand his network. He supported China's bid to host the Olympics in 2008, and in 2013, was given the official accolade of having his own postage stamp.
"It was a big honor to be on the stamp in China," he says. "This will be with me all my life. It's a lot of fun to send some letters with this stamp on."
His experience in China allowed him to carve a niche as a conduit for Swedish companies seeking a foothold in the market.
"I've been to China over 150 times," he says. "Companies don't contact anyone else – they come to me... I'm proud of that."
'If I can help open doors or be part of discussions, I will do what I can.'
Asked if his relationship with China has helped to improve diplomatic or cultural exchanges with Sweden, Waldner replies modestly.
"I hope so," he nods. "But I think other guys have to answer this question."
If pressed on the topic, he admits he hopes his legacy extends beyond sport.
"I hope we have good relationships – not only in sport but also in other areas," he says. "If I can help open doors or be part of discussions, I will do what I can."
The Waldner Cup: A vision for the sport's future
Only time will tell, but perhaps Waldner's most significant ongoing legacy is the Waldner Cup – a team-based international tournament inspired by golf's Ryder Cup, in which 'Team World' is pitted against 'Team Asia'.
"For us, it's the biggest thing now," Waldner explains. "The sport gave me so much, and I want to give back. The Waldner Cup was a good chance to do that – big stars from Europe and the rest of the world, playing against Asia."
'The sport gave me so much, and I want to give back.'
Looking ahead, Waldner is keen to grow the tournament's global footprint.
"I hope we have the next six years quite clear. If we get contracts for many years, it can continue after I'm no longer here. We want to move it around every two years – Asia, Australia, the U.S., France, maybe New York… That would be fantastic."
A lasting impact on people and sport
When asked about his feelings toward China today, Waldner says his connection is both personal and profound.
"It feels like I have a real connection not just to the country but to the people and fans," he says. "I'm proud of my relationship with China, my role in business, and what I can do to grow table tennis worldwide."
'It feels like I have a real connection – not just to the country but to the people and fans.'
Table tennis gave Jan-Ove Waldner a career and a passport to another world – but what he's given back has been even more enduring: a bridge between nations, composed of sportsmanship, respect and understanding.
And as Mozart once said, a man of superior talent will go to pieces if he remains forever in the same place. Waldner clearly didn't. He crossed borders, he built bridges – and he became unforgettable on both sides of the table.
Reporter Ray Addison
Producer Jiang Shaoyi
Camera Stan Mandryka
Video Editor James Meurer
Graphic Design Ilze Juhnevica
Copy Editor & Shorthand Gary Parkinson
Executive Producer Guo Chun
Supervising Producer Mei Yan
