Waldner dominated

a youtube from Mr.Theportal

Edited by in2spin - 02/28/2014 at 1:08pm

only in the 1st game...
he seemed to be awed by some of the shots the other guy was able to produce.
he's, no doubt, quite slow...I still wish I could move as fast as he did.


Edited by tiehwen - 02/28/2014 at 1:41pm

What are we expected to say ? the Guy is battling his age, I don't know what you expect will happen, he will get better?

tiehwen wrote: only in the 1st game... he seemed to be awed by some of the shots the other guy was able to produce. he's, no doubt, quite slow...I still wish I could move as fast as he did.

he moved fast? he doesn't move at all.

If you look back at Waldner, during his prime, some games he would just block.

Anything can happen in one game to 11 points, there is no time to recover like there was in the 21 point game.

Not all retired pros practice equal amounts per day, consume equal quantities of alcohol daily and spend the same amount of time chasing tail...

SKRHG wrote: Yea... Waldner os far too old... he doesn't do much either... just blocks... he doesn't even have footwork any more... so I'm not too surprised when he loses against someone who can actually get to the ball and play aggressively.  I wonder when Waldner is going to retire... I don't understand, especially considering that Ma Lin, Wang Liqin and Chen Qi retired and they're still substantially better and far more active than Waldner

Because people are still willing to pay him to play and he still wants to do it.  The Chinese are retired from CNT, maybe they will still play in other events.

this safir tournament, is this like a tournament for lesser caliber players? or are there top 50 players participating this?

roundrobin wrote: obesechopper wrote: Waldner isn't THAT old! Look at his contemporaries still playing such as Jorgen Perrson (who moves considerably better) and He Zhi Wen. Ol' Evergreen is just out of shape! I'd imagine JO plays because he loves the game and has fun (or $$ from sponsors, appearances, etc.)! What more reason does he need. That being said, Waldner could probably step off a plane in america and become the new USA TT champ! I highly doubt it as he is not a U.S citizen, just like most of the U.S. top players here who are currently not allowed to compete in USA TT championships.  All current top ten US players are foreign-born and not allowed to compete in USA TT national championships.  If Waldner is allowed so will these ten players.  It's more than likely that a couple of these top ten U.S. players can beat the current Waldner.

Oh that's right! I forgot all top US players are foreign born! Is there even an american in the world top 200?


Edited by obesechopper - 02/28/2014 at 9:33pm

obesechopper wrote: Oh that's right! I forgot all top US players are foreign born! Is there even an american in the world top 200?

Safirs is an exhibition tournament in Sweden every year

there are many Swedish league players who play the open division

they run a junior tournament in conjunction with the exhibition tourney

I had a friend who played in it as a junior 10 years or so ago

:)

Edited by in2spin - 02/28/2014 at 11:21pm

obesechopper wrote: Baal wrote: obesechopper wrote: Waldner isn't THAT old! Look at his contemporaries still playing such as Jorgen Perrson (who moves considerably better) and He Zhi Wen. Ol' Evergreen is just out of shape! I'd imagine JO plays because he loves the game and has fun (or $$ from sponsors, appearances, etc.)! What more reason does he need. That being said, Waldner could probably step off a plane in america and become the new USA TT champ! ok, you named two.  Can you name others? Gao Jun! Primorac, Saive, Korbel (a little younger), Appelgren, Gatien somewhat. Chen Weixing here shortly! Old geezers unite!

These guys are not the same generation as each other, much less with Waldner.  I'm assuming you're like 30 years old so everyone over 40 just seems "old."

Applegren is quite a bit older than any of these other guys, while Primorac, Saive, and Korbel are all a much younger generation.  And people like Ma Lin or Wang Liqin are a later generation yet.  In fact, they're basically Samsonov's generation. 

Walnder's problem isn't age at all -- it's weight and fitness.  He likes to drink a lot and he doesn't work out.  By comparison, Persson, who is actually a couple of years younger, has always been the most athletic player among the Swedish greats.  Given Waldner's lack of fitness, he strategically minimized his use of energy -- he didn't move much on purpose.

By the way, Waldner always had a mis-deserved reputation for being slow.  He was actually one of the fastest players when he was in his prime.  However, his anticipation was so good that it always looked like he hardly moved at all.

benfb wrote: By the way, Waldner always had a mis-deserved reputation for being slow.  He was actually one of the fastest players when he was in his prime.  However, his anticipation was so good that it always looked like he hardly moved at all.

Nota Bene!

ChichoFicho wrote: I doubt Waldner would take up the ping pong of today If he had to choose now.

Yes, he would choose boozing!

As far as blocking is concerned, all players block, especially the high level players like Ma long, ZJK, FZD, Yan AN.
With the speed they play each other at, answering opponents big drive with a block is sometimes the only option. When CNT members play each other, sure you'll see super drives, but there are well placed blocks, delicate touch plays and unbelievable footwork to appreciate if you only open your mind.

Edited by pingpongpaddy - 03/01/2014 at 3:11pm

Back in 2011, he still showed great blocking in this friendly: