Ma Long receives rock star welcome in Hong Kong as China great attracts thrilled crowds

China table tennis great Ma Long received a rock star’s welcome as he made a guest appearance at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University on Friday.

A six-time Olympic gold medallist, Ma joined a panel discussion, then exhibited his enduring talent in front of a thrilled audience. As he made to leave the sports hall after trading shots with two leading university players, Ma disappeared amid a scrum of bodies hunting selfies and signatures.

“That enthusiasm and excitement showed the power and influence one individual can have, and he uses it with such grace,” said Yvette Kong Man-yi, the former Hong Kong Olympic swimmer and Ma’s fellow panel member at the event titled A Glamorous Transformation in Sports: The Next Level.

“He made a lot of people’s days, weeks and years. He’s very poised, and very humorous in a lot of ways. I enjoyed the conversation and felt super-honoured to share a stage with someone that great. He’s more than an athlete, he’s a superstar.”

Joined in conversation by Kong and the five-time Olympic swimmer Stephanie Au Hoi-shun, the 37-year-old Ma, who is widely expected to retire in the near future, revisited how he “felt a bit lost” after winning his first Games gold in 2016.

He adjusted his mindset following a pep talk from Liu Guoliang, who narrowly failed to defend his Olympic singles and doubles titles in 2000.

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