China's Zhang Jike crowned Olympic champion

LONDON - Number one seed Zhang Jike defeated teammate Wang Hao in an all-Chinese final on Thursday, winning the Olympic men's table tennis singles gold medal.

With the gold medal, Zhang, 24, became the first male player in history who won the World Championship and the Olympic Games back to back.

Zhang won the match 18-16, 11-5, 11-6, 10-12 and 13-11.

China's Zhang Jike celebrates in his men's singles gold medal table tennis match against compatriot Wang Hao at the ExCel venue during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 2, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Number two seed Wang, 27, was World Champion in men's singles in 2009. He won silver medal at the Athens 2004 and the Beijing 2008.

It was also the 22nd Olympic gold medal that China won in table tennis since the sport was introduced at the 1988 Seoul Games.

Germany's Dimitrij Ovtcharov beat Chuang Chih-Yuan from Chinese Taipei 12-10, 9-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-5 and 14-12, winning Germany's second Olympic medal in men's singles in history.