Joo Se-Hyuk

Sport: Table Tennis

Nation: South Korea

DOB: January 20, 1980

Career Highlights: Joo earned his highest world ranking in the spring at No. 5 and is the top-ranked player from Korea. Known for his defensive style, Joo has consistently been ranked in the top 10 over the last two years and has been within the top 15 for the past six. His greatest moment came in 2006, when he captured the Korean Open over France’s Damien Eloi, becoming the first player to win an ITTF singles event in nine years with a defensive style. This will be Joo’s second Olympics after he lost to eventual bronze medalist Wang Liqin of China in the fourth round at the 2004 Athens Games. He was omitted from the 2008 Beijing Games, which saw Korea ultimately capture a bronze in the team event. Joo earned a bronze at the 2010 Asian Games, losing to eventual gold medalist Ma Long of China in the semifinals. It doesn’t seem likely that Joo can compete with the elite Chinese, as he was routed 4-0 by Zhang Jike in the fourth round of the 2011 world championships, where Zhang went on to win the gold. However, with only two Chinese players in the field due to ITTF restrictions, Joo has a shot at a singles medal since his defensive style could cause problems.

Olympic History: 2004