ITTF's only team to advance to the quarterfinals, AGAIN2019!

May 23, 2025

사진=ITTF

"An"Believeable!"

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) gave a tribute to Ahn Jae-hyun (Korea Exchange, 17th in the world) who stood tall again in the `world quarterfinals' by turning around Felix LeBrugn on the 23rd (Korea time).

Ahn Jae-hyun won a thrilling come-from-behind victory of 4-12, 11-9, 14-12, 7-11 12-14, 11-6, 11-9) against Felix Lebrung in the round of 16 of the men's singles at the 2025 ITTF World Championship held in Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar.

Against Felix LeBrugn, who used a double-sided pen holder-type forehand topspin as his main weapon, Ahn Jae-hyun showed off his fighting spirit and ability in forehand, backhand, short ball, and rally confrontation. It was a deuce match from the first game. Ahn Jae-hyun's talent stood out in the countless rallies that unfolded away from the table. The ITTF broadcaster praised "How can such power be generated by being so far away, and it is amazing that such a powerful drive comes out even when it falls on the table?" "It's great in the scene where you turn around Le Brung with a powerful counterattack." Crazy (crazy), Incredible" and praised Ahn Jae-hyun as soon as he confirmed his advance to the quarterfinals with a come-from-behind victory.

The ITTF said "Paris Olympic bronze medalist and sixth seed Felix Lebrung lost to Ahn Jae-hyun in shock." One of Doha's leading medal contenders, 'Penholder Sensation'Loong, was struck by Ahn Jae-hyun in the 'High List, High Rewards' method. Ahn Jae-hyun, the world's 17th-ranked player, received the spotlight by making Lusail Arena's mouth water."

The moment Ahn Jae-hyun reached the semifinals of the men's singles at the 2019 Budapest World Table Tennis Championships, the late reporter Ahn Sung-ho, who took this vivid photo at the time, was more delighted than the player. Photo courtesy = Monthly tableware

It is the reign of the 'table tennis genius', who participated in the 2019 Hungarian Budapest Competition, ranked 157th in the world, and caused a semi-final syndrome. Ahn Jae-hyun is the only Korean male and female player to reach the quarterfinals in this tournament. Jang Woo-jin (18th in the world) lost 3 to 4 (8-11, 7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7, 12-14) after a close game of the full game to Turules Moeregor (Sweden, 7th in the world), and Shin Yu-bin (10th in the world) lost 2 to 4 (8-11-7 6-115-1 12-10 10-12) despite the propaganda of bringing two games against Sun Ying-sha, the world's No. 1 player, and only Ahn Jae-hyun survived both men's and women's singles. Ahn Jae-hyun's opponent in the quarterfinals is Hugo Calderano (Brazil). Attention is focusing on how Ahn Jae-hyun, the "Korean ace", will perform against the veteran ace, who is recognized as the strongest non-Korean player.

After catching Felix LeBrigg, Ahn Jae-hyun said "The opponent is good at it, but I am 'strong and weak (strong against strong players and weak against weak players)." He was a player who had played once in the past. He was also not aware of the fact that he was a bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics. Rather, Felix would have shrunk more because he is ranked higher in the world than me." Ahn Jae-hyun said, `There is still a lot to be desired. I'll focus more because I have a game tomorrow. I'll prepare well and do it one by one" expressed his determination. As the only fasting survivor, Ahn Jae-hyun is "There is no such thing as a burden. It doesn't have much to do with me who went up. I'll just focus on my game." Ahn Jae-hyun's shoulders are not normal amid repeated full-game battles, non-stop rallies, and tight schedules. But he didn't care. `Thanks to the care and treatment taken by the national team, I improved a lot,' he said, making it clear that he would bet everything on his showdown with Hugo Calderano. "It's the opponent I've struggled with in the past. I never won. But if I prepare well like now, I think I'll have a chance at least once," he said, expressing confidence.

He won a surprise bronze medal at the age of 20 in 2019, and again in six years. After this one game, it's the podium again. Ahn Jae-hyun said, `At the time, I went to the Budapest competition without knowing anything. Since then, he has been eliminated from the round of 128 for the second consecutive tournament. Looking back, the results were good at the Budapest competition, where I emptied my mind and did my best every game, and I was troubled at the competition to show something. This time, he said, "Let's just win every game, so the results followed." He has strengthened his will to empty his mind and focus only on his table tennis.

Reporter Jeon Young-ji sky4us@sportschosun.com /Toha World Table Tennis Championships Release Press Group

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.