Revered as the "Hexagon Warrior" by Japanese media, Ma Long has long been celebrated for his near-perfect mastery of six key attributes: power, speed, technique, serve, defense and experience.

On Friday, he clinched his sixth Olympic gold medal, a triumph that perfectly encapsulates his dominance in each of these areas, and seals his legendary status with a flawless final act on the Olympic stage.

Ma Long during the victory ceremony of the men’s table tennis team at the Paris Olympics on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over the course of four Olympic Games, from London to Paris, Ma's journey has been one of transformation — evolving from sharp young paddler to an unshakable cornerstone of his team. At 35, he stands as a powerful symbol of how unwavering passion can defy the passage of time.

"My goal now is simply to keep playing the game I love. My only focus is to give everything I've got, without worrying about the finish line," Ma often says.

That finish line came, late last week, at the Paris Olympics, when Ma, alongside teammates Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin, triumphed over Sweden, clinching a fifth consecutive Olympic team title.

As the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at the opening ceremony, Ma also made history by becoming the most decorated Chinese Olympian.

Following his victory, Ma shared on Weibo: "From London to Paris, it's been a long and challenging journey. It was tough, but perfect. Thank you to everyone who stood by my side and supported me."

The official Olympics website declared: "Ma Long is, without a doubt, the greatest table tennis player in history."

In the final, after securing victory, Ma marked the moment with a spontaneous 360-degree arm swing — a celebratory gesture that captured his last Olympic performance.

"That spin was instinctive; after the shot, I just naturally turned around," he explained.

Ma noted the electric atmosphere in the arena and how much he savored the moment.

"The support from the Chinese fans in the crowd was incredible. I believe this kind of energy helps both teams elevate their performance, and it definitely had a positive effect.

Global favorite

On Friday night, following the Chinese women's table tennis team's semifinal victory, each player received a pin from Japanese former table tennis star, now a TV reporter, Kasumi Ishikawa. Ishikawa also presented an additional pin to Chen Meng, asking her to deliver it to her favorite player, Ma.

After the Chinese women's team secured the title on Saturday, Ma made a surprise appearance in the mixed zone, where he and Ishikawa exchanged pins.

Ishikawa, a devoted fan of Ma, had previously expressed in interviews her admiration for him, highlighting her frequent viewership of his matches and her respect for his combination of strength and gentleness.

Universally acknowledged as the table tennis GOAT (greatest of all time), Ma's impressive presence and humble demeanor have garnered widespread admiration and respect from players around the world.

When Ma was initially left off the Chinese team's singles roster for the Paris Olympics in May, German table tennis star Dimitrij Ovtcharov posted a heartfelt message on Weibo, tagging Ma, expressing his sadness at the decision: "Life always has its regrets! I'm sorry to hear you won't be competing in singles at the Paris Olympics. You are a great rival! Here's to our youth and effort! Sending my best wishes! I still look forward to facing you in Paris!"

In the Olympic Village, Ma has become a popular figure, with athletes frequently seeking photos with him and sharing them on social media. His autograph is among the most coveted.

In the mixed zone during the Games, Ma has been a magnet for reporters from around the globe. Some use translation apps, while others enlist volunteers for assistance.

American journalists inquired about how Ma would introduce himself to an American audience, French reporters asked for his impression of the home team and Swedish reporters were curious about his views on China's rival for the gold.

A fitting farewell

At the press conference following his gold medal victory, Ma confirmed that Paris will be his final Olympics, though he has not yet decided whether he will retire.

"This gold medal is a perfect way to conclude my Olympic career, but you might still see me on the international stage in the future," he said. "I am extremely proud, fortunate, and honored."

Reflecting on his journey since the Tokyo Olympics, Ma admitted he never expected to compete on the Paris stage. "Over these three years, I've experienced significant growth both mentally and technically. The journey has been vastly different, but I'm delighted to have had the chance to participate in the Olympics once more."

He also offered sincere best wishes to his younger teammates, with whom he won gold in Paris. He expressed hope that Fan will represent China at the Los Angeles Olympics in four years.

Regarding Wang, who won the mixed doubles, but was eliminated in singles, Ma noted, "joy is only part of the story. There's still an opportunity to achieve a super 'Grand Slam'. No one has yet won titles in team, doubles, and mixed doubles events, and you're still young."

Ma hopes to inspire more young people to embrace table tennis, much like German paddler Timo Boll has, but as for a future in coaching, he remains undecided.

During the Olympics men's team competition, Ma, seated beside coach Wang Hao, frequently offered strategic advice to his teammates during timeouts. After a match against the Indian team, an opposing player even mistakenly assumed Ma was the coach and attempted to shake his hand. Perhaps subconsciously, Ma already carries the aura of one.

"Table tennis has been a part of my life for over 30 years, and I have a profound emotional connection to it," Ma said. "The sport has introduced me to the world, earned me respect and honor, and provided countless unforgettable moments. That's why I can't help but love it."

Ma's farewell to the table tennis stage began to take shape with the onset of the Paris Olympic cycle.

After securing the men's team gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, he remarked: "I had hoped to return for the next Asian Games, but this should be my last. Winning the championship is a perfect conclusion."

In February, Ma and his teammates triumphed at the ITTF World Team Championships in Busan, South Korea. Following their victory, he acknowledged that it was his ninth and final World Team Championships in a similar manner.

"This has been a memorable journey," he stated. "I'm grateful for the trust within the team and among my teammates. Ending my final World Championships match with a victory is a perfect ending."

Paris may not be Ma's final act in the sport he loves, but is a fitting and flawless end to his remarkable Olympic playing career.

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