​Korea wrote history in WTTC 2018 in Halmstad

LIEBHERR World Team Table Tennis Championships in Halmstad, Sweden, concluded with double Chinese gold medals, a historic medal for Unified Korea and a surprising bronze for Sweden. The venues in Halmstad Arena had 25 000 spectators and more than 300 million followed the championships on TV.

After a fantastic week in Halmstad Arena LIEBHERR World Team Table Tennis Championships 2018 in Halmstad concluded on May 6th. Players, leaders, delegates and fans from over 100 nations visited Halmstad during the week. They experienced amazing table tennis and a truly historic moment when the women’s team of North Korea and South Korea declared that they would compete together as Unified Korea on 3 May

They were supposed to meet in the quarterfinals of the women’s tournament, but refused to play against each other. Instead, they formed a unified team the following day in the semifinal against Japan. The historic move quickly made the headlines all over the world and was considered as a small step towards peace on the Korean peninsula through “ping-pong-diplomacy”.

The historic team left a flag of Unified Korea with autographs to Halmstad, which will be a part of a future permanent WTTC-exhibition in Halmstad Arena.

Medalist in WTTC 2018 in Halmstad, women’s tournament

Gold: China

Silver: Japan

Bronze: Hong Kong and Unified Korea

Men’s tournament:

Gold: China

Silver: Germany

Bronze: Korea Republic and Sweden

Quick facts about WTTC 2018 Halmstad

• More than 300 million TV viewers worldwide
• Estimated 25 000 spectators in Halmstad Arena
• 15 300 sold tickets
• 400 volunteers
• 700 players
• 500 team leaders
• 300 delegates
• 142 teams
• 24 tables
• 474 team matches