Reigning world No. 1 Ma Long claimed his long awaited table tennis Grand Slam and became the new Olympic champion after beating compatriot Zhang Jike at the ongoing 2016 Rio Olympic Games on Thursday at the Riocentro Pavilion 3.

According to the latest Olympic medal tally, Ma's victory is China's 11th gold at the Rio Games, while Zhang added a silver medal, according to Xinhua.

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The 27-year-old Ma, who became the fifth male paddler to win a world championship, a World Cup and an Olympic Games gold medal, made short work of his teammate Zhang 14-12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4.

"I am very glad not only to complete the grand slam, but to become Olympic Champion alone makes me happy," Ma said. "I didn't stress too much during the game. I did my best and played free. I'm extremely happy that I could win the gold medal, it's a special moment in my career."

The victory puts the reigning world champion in the same league as legendary players like his coach Liu Guoliang, China's women's national coach Kong Linghui, Sweden's Jan-Ove Waldner and his opponent of the final Zhang Jike.

The 28-year right-handed native of Qingdao, Shandong, who became the fourth Grand Slam winner of the sport four years ago after being crowned at the World Championships, World Cup and Olympic Game in a short span of 15 months, committed too many unforced errors and failed to perform his trademark backhand to surrender easily.

China has secured only four gold medals since table tennis became an Olympic sport in the year 1988.  If the Chinese men and women can win the team titles, the paddlers from China will have swept gold in Rio, too.

Meanwhile, Japanese world No. 6 Jun Mizutani defeated world No. 9 Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus in the bronze medal match.

TagsMa Long, zhang jike, jun mizutani, ITTF, Rio Olympics 2016, grand slam