The brand new problem of the “apple” – gold amongst 6,000 veterans

Mikael Appelgren has reached the age of 62, however has moved down an age group to play alongside German Carsten Jung. It could possibly be one other World Cup gold – 39 years after successful the World Cup doubles remaining with Ulf “Tickan” Carlsson.

In singles, nevertheless, there will likely be no match.

– No, I am not likely skilled for that. There are greater than 800 gamers in my class and there could be eleven video games in case you go to the ultimate, he says.

How is the format?

– Not prefer it was earlier than, after all, but when I used to be coaching, I might in all probability keep in the very best one. Then I might block a number of the youth. However in the primary league it goes too quick as of late, says “Äpplet” who’s a coach in BTK Spårvägen.

The legend and childhood good friend Jan-Ove Waldner additionally exhibits up a number of instances a month for a session within the SL corridor.

Why is JO not concerned in Rome?

– Do not know. However he would proceed within the nice one, says Mikael Appelgren.

Among the many 212 Swedish gamers within the former WC, JO’s older brother Kjell-Åke Waldner and Olympic participant Per-Anders, father of Anton Källberg, may be seen. Anton Källberg’s uncle, Mats, is the reigning European champion within the 55-year-old class.

Greater than 6,000 gamers from 109 nations will place on 350 information. The oldest are discovered within the 90-year-old class.

– It will likely be a giant occasion and it exhibits how standard ping-pong is all over the world. It is likely one of the 4 world sports activities with the biggest variety of gamers, together with soccer, volleyball and basketball, says Mikael Appelgren.

– And have a look at the worldwide degree, there’s a good distribution among the many continents. It isn’t simply Asians and Europeans. South America is sixth (Hugo Calderano, Brazil) and African is sixteenth (Quadri Aruna, Nigeria).

Mikael Appelgren received The 50-year-old class when the outdated WC was determined within the Globen in Stockholm in 2012.

– I keep in mind that DN had an important image earlier than the event that was taken from above on all of the tables. On one in every of them, my spouse and I skilled, fully alone, he says.

The unbelievable factor then was that already within the first match of the group stage he bumped into the Chinese language grasp Lu Qiwei whom he had met 30 years earlier than, and misplaced . 9 video games later they met once more within the remaining.

– Then I received, saying “The Apple”.

Will it’s gold once more?

– Properly. My accomplice retains a few class 2 swedish division and he doubts whether it is sufficient.

Mikael Appelgren was concerned in bringing down the Nice Wall of China on the WC staff gold in Dortmund in 1989. He has three WC staff gold medals, three EC golds in singles, and one WC gold in doubles as achievements it is the most important.