Li Sun takes reins after Kong's recall

Li Sun watches as China's Mu Zi plays in her women's singles qualifying competition at the Table Tennis World Championship in Dusseldorf, Germany, on May 30, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

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.

The hotel, where Kong and his family and friends stayed in 2015, filed the lawsuit in a Hong Kong court.

Media reports said Kong borrowed 1 million Singapore dollars (US $721,200) from the hotel, but failed to pay it back in full.

"Having raised three Grand Slam (Olympics, world championships and World Cup) champions, Li Sun is a very experienced and successful coach," said Liu.

"He is very familiar with our players and our opponents. At the same time, I will shift my working priority to the women's team as well."

Liu added he was confident the switch would not affect the team adversely.

"We are on our own pace for preparation. We will focus on the matches. I trust our strength, not only the players' strength but also the coaching strength," he said.

The 54-year-old Li, who became a coach for the Chinese team in 1996 and was known as "the championship coach", is highly respected in the sport for his work with three legends of the women's game: Wang Nan, Zhang Yining and Li Xiaoxia.

The trio boasts nine Olympic gold medals between them, including singles titles at the 2000, 2008 and 2012 Games.

Xinhua