Champion Ryu set for China onslaught

HONG KONG: As the Olympics fast approaches, men's defending champion Ryu Seung-min can be forgiven for feeling a little nervous.

Four years ago in Athens, Ryu stunned China by playing the table tennis of his life to clinch the gold medal.

It was a proud moment for South Korea, but an embarrassing one for China, the superpower of the sport, which was widely expected to whitewash the competition, especially in the coveted men's singles.