Li takes reins after Kong's recall

DUSSELDORF, Germany - Legendary table tennis coach Li Sun, the mentor of three Chinese Olympic champions, has replaced suspended Kong Linghui at the helm of China's women's team at the world championships.

Liu Guoliang, head coach of the Chinese national team, made the announcement on Tuesday after Kong, with whom he won the men's doubles gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, was ordered to return home from the tournament in Dusseldorf.

Kong was suspended as head coach of the women's team after it emerged a Singapore hotel had filed a lawsuit against him over an alleged gambling debt.