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Liu Guoliang
Country: ChinaHighest level of competition: Olympics (1996, 2000; as coach 2008, 2016)
The second man in the history of table tennis to win a career grand slam of three majors (Olympic Gold, World Cup, World Championships), Liu Guoliang is credited with the game-changing introduction of the backhand reverse top spin.
Even after his retirement, Liu would continue the legacy of his on-court ferocity by taking the Chinese men’s team to Olympic gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as their coach.The head coach of the contingent of male table tennis players who are in Rio for the Olympics, the 40-year-old’s easy acceptance of regulations and affable advices to players – including asking one to drink alcohol when under pressure – make him one of the most loved figures in TT.
