"Every time when I finished the Asian Games before, I thought that I would have another shot in the next edition. But this time, it might be my last Asian Games, which is the biggest difference from the past ones," revealed Olympic and world champion Ma Long.

Ma Long of China competes during the men's team finals table tennis match between China and South Korea at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

After helping China achieve its eighth consecutive men's team title at the Hangzhou Asiad, Ma Long, arguably the greatest table tennis player of all time, calmly reflected on the difference of his fourth Asian Games appearance from the previous three, but still with a little bit of reluctance.

As Ma will not compete in the singles category in Hangzhou, Tuesday's team final against South Korea might be a swan song for the 34-year-old at the continental multi-sport competition.

Starting his Asiad campaign in Doha in 2006, Ma has six gold medals under his belt, with his first coming from the team event in 2006. Then he claimed the singles and team golds at Guangzhou 2010, and came on top in the doubles and team events at Incheon 2014.

As for international competitions, the China men's team captain boasts a more glittering record, as the first in history to achieve a double Grand Slam, which means claiming the singles titles at the Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup at least twice, after he triumphed at the Tokyo Olympic Games. So far, he has five Olympic Games gold medals, 13 World Championships titles and World Cup titles.

Apart from his glorious record, Ma's persistence in pursuing his dreams and never-say-die spirit are what made him truly stand out, and his love for the sport has never faded away.

"If you truly love it, you are always at a competitive age," Ma once said.

"He has a unique characteristic. Whether it's a major competition or not, he just wants to win. This plays a big part in why he keeps on and reaches a high level at the current stage," Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA), commented on Ma's lasting career.

Ma's all-around performance and composure on the field also earned him the nickname of "Hexagon Warrior" from Japanese media.

But it was never a smooth road for the veteran paddler to achieve what he has now.

After becoming the first male player in over half a century to win three straight world championships titles with the latest in Budapest in 2019, Ma decided to have surgery on his knee to be fully fit for the Tokyo Olympics.

Before the surgery, Ma shaved his head bald, in line with a Chinese saying that represents starting from scratch.

Back from his knee surgery, Ma had a singles title-winning drought for over a year. "It seems that my leg is back, but my touching feel has gone," Ma once joked about his return.

After winning a record-extending sixth ITTF Finals men's singles title to end that drought in November 2020, Ma was captured by camera being pensive while waiting for the award ceremony.

"You have waited quite long for this title, right?" A reporter asked.

"It feels like a dream, but I'm not sure about it," Ma replied, with his eyes red-rimmed.

At the Asian Championships held in PyeongChang, South Korea earlier in September, Ma regained the singles championship after a decade and also became the first male player to have won it on four occasions, after his success in 2009, 2012 and 2013.

After winning his first singles title in two years, Ma was found with tears in his eyes at the award ceremony.

"Ma is not only a table tennis player; he is also an example in sports," commented China's table tennis team chief coach Li Sun. "Maybe many outsiders regard the Asian Championships as just a test and adjustment for him ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, but he was just strict with himself, which touched us a lot."

Ma's role and contribution is also reflected off the field. In Hangzhou, he would stop by the mixed zone and patiently answer questions from reporters after every match.

"To be able to play a role in our success, it's a nice end for me. My teammates still have matches coming up here, and I'm ready to support them and train with them if need be," Ma noted.

After Ma concluded what could be his last Asian Games campaign, topics like "See you in Paris, captain Long" and "I believe that we will see you in Paris" trended on China's social platform Weibo.

"My Asian Games might be done, but I still have other matches coming up in the future in other competitions," Ma said.

"Paris is still too early to say for me. I'm not thinking so far ahead yet. I just want to focus on myself and every match that's before me."