Truls Möregårdh: Sweden's Table Tennis Prodigy & STIGA Pro

In the fast-paced world of table tennis, where precision meets creativity, few players capture the imagination quite like Truls Möregårdh. Born on February 16, 2002, in the small town of Lessebo, Sweden, this right-handed table tennis sensation has risen from a promising youth talent to a global contender, blending technical mastery with an artistic flair reminiscent of legendary Swede Jan-Ove Waldner. At just 23 years old, Möregårdh has already etched his name into the sport's history books, most recently by becoming the first European to claim a World Table Tennis (WTT) Grand Smash singles title in August 2025. 

Early Life and the Spark of Talent
Truls Carl Eric Möregårdh's path to table tennis stardom began in a supportive family environment. Growing up in Lessebo, he showed an early aptitude for the sport, prompting his entire family to relocate to Eslöv when he was just 12 years old. This move was strategic: Eslöv is home to one of Sweden's premier table tennis clubs, Eslövs AI BTK, providing the ideal training ground for a budding athlete. His brother, Malte Möregårdh, has played a key role in his development, serving as his coach and offering invaluable guidance.

From a young age, Truls stood out for his innovative playing style. He adopted the European shakehand grip, but what set him apart was his willingness to experiment - incorporating backhand blocks, punches, and even the unconventional "chop block" into his game. Sponsored by Stiga, he uses a distinctive hexagonal Cybershape Carbon CWT Truls Edition blade paired with DNA Platinum XH rubber on both sides, equipment that complements his creative approach and allows for versatile shot-making.

STIGA Cybershape: Shaping the Game
Unlike traditional blades, the STIGA Cybershape features a unique hexagonal design, which offers a larger sweet spot and enhanced spin potential, allowing Möregårdh to execute his signature creative shots, like the chop block and deceptive spins, with precision. Paired with STIGA DNA Platinum XH rubber on both sides, this setup provides exceptional speed, control, and grip, complementing his aggressive yet versatile approach. The blade’s Carbon CWT (Custom Weight Technology) allows for fine-tuned balance, giving Möregårdh the edge in high-stakes matches, as seen in his historic 2025 WTT Grand Smash victory. This innovative paddle has become a hallmark of his artistry, setting a new standard in table tennis equipment.

Dominating the Youth Circuit
Möregårdh's international breakthrough came in 2016, when he was just 14. That year, he clinched the Youth TOP 10 title and earned silver medals at the European Championships. His momentum continued into 2017 and 2018, where he became a two-time European student champion and a one-time European youth champion. He also secured silver at the European competitions in those years and finished as the junior vice world champion in both 2017 and 2019.

A highlight of his youth career was his participation in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. There, he reached the quarter-finals in singles and competed for a bronze in mixed doubles, ultimately placing fourth with his team. These early successes not only built his confidence but also signaled to the table tennis world that Sweden had a new force on the horizon.

In doubles and mixed events, Möregårdh shone brightly too: he won the European Schoolchildren Championship in doubles (2017), took silver in youth doubles (2019), and earned bronze in mixed doubles at the European Youth Championships (2019). Team-wise, he contributed to vice European schoolchildren honors (2016) and third-place finishes at the World Championships (2018) and European Championships (2019, 2021).

Transition to Senior Success
By 2018, Möregårdh began transitioning to adult competitions, a move that paid off quickly. He claimed bronze at the 2018 World Cup and repeated the feat at the 2019 European Table Tennis Championships. That same year, he won his first Swedish national championship by defeating Kristian Karlsson in the final. He defended the title in 2021 against Anton Källberg.

His big breakout on the global stage came at the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships in Houston, where he stunned the field to reach the final, earning a silver medal after a hard-fought loss to China's Fan Zhendong. This performance catapulted him into the top echelons of the sport, and by October 2022, he achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 3.

Möregårdh's club career has been equally dynamic. After starting with Eslövs AI BTK, he moved to Japan's TT Saitama in 2019. By 2023, he was competing for Lexuan Sports Group TTC in China's Super League, gaining invaluable experience against the world's best.
Team achievements continued to pile up: gold at the 2023 European Championships and silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics team event (alongside Anton Källberg and Kristian Karlsson, losing to China in the final). He also added third-place finishes at the European Championships in 2019 and 2021.

The 2024 Olympics: A Silver Lining
The 2024 Paris Olympics marked a pinnacle in Möregårdh's career. In men's singles, he delivered one of the tournament's biggest upsets by defeating world No. 1 Wang Chuqin in the round of 32. He battled through to the final, where he again faced Fan Zhendong, securing a silver medal in a thrilling match. This performance not only boosted his profile but also inspired a wave of "Möregårdh mania" back home in Sweden, where he became a national hero.

The team silver further solidified his status, as Sweden pushed the dominant Chinese squad to the brink. Post-Olympics, Möregårdh's popularity soared; in January 2025, he became the first table tennis player since 1979 to win Sweden's prestigious Jerring Award for most popular athlete, with his coach Jörgen Persson named Coach of the Year.

2025: Breaking Barriers and Latest Triumphs
2025 has been a year of historic firsts for Möregårdh. He kicked off with strong showings, including a bronze medal at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Doha, where he defeated players like Jang Woojin before falling in the semifinals.

But his crowning achievement came in August at the inaugural WTT Europe Smash in Malmö, Sweden. On home soil, Möregårdh powered through the tournament, defeating opponents like Eduard Ionescu, Cho Daeseong, An Jaehyun, and Benedikt Duda en route to the final. In a nail-biting championship match against world No. 1 Lin Shidong of China, he clinched a 4-3 victory, becoming the first non-Chinese - and the first European - player to win a WTT Grand Smash men's singles title. The win, in front of a roaring home crowd at the Renaissance Arena, was a testament to his resilience and tactical brilliance, overcoming a powerhouse nation with over a billion people and more registered players than Sweden's entire population.

As of September 4th, 2025, Möregårdh holds a world ranking of No. 5, with his sights set on climbing back to his career-high of No. 3.

Image Credit: World Table Tennis/Eng Chin An

Playing Style: The Artist at the Table
What makes Möregårdh special is his "artistic technician" approach. Often compared to Waldner for his deceptive shots and unpredictability, he thrives on variety - mixing aggressive forehands with defensive chops and innovative blocks. This style not only entertains fans but also disrupts opponents accustomed to more straightforward play. His equipment choice, the unique hexagonal blade, enhances his spin and control, allowing for the creative flair that has earned him a cult following.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
With his latest Grand Smash victory fresh in mind, Möregårdh's career trajectory points upward. At 23, he's already a two-time Olympic silver medalist, world championship medalist, and now a trailblazer for European table tennis. Challenges remain - dominating the Chinese contingent consistently will be key - but his blend of youth, talent, and mental fortitude positions him as a potential world No. 1.

Truls Möregårdh isn't just playing table tennis; he's redefining it for a new generation. From the courts of Eslöv to the grand stages of Malmö and Paris, his story is one of perseverance, innovation, and sheer joy in the game. As Sweden cheers on its hero, the world watches eagerly for what's next. Stay tuned.

Sources:
World Table Tennis. "Truls Moregardh Makes History at WTT Europe Smash."
Link: www.worldtabletennis.com
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). "Player Profile: Truls Möregårdh."
Link: www.ittf.com/players
ITTF World Championships. "Möregårdh Secures Bronze in Doha."
Link: www.ittf.com
ITTF Rankings. "World Rankings Update."
Link: www.ittf.com/rankings
STIGA Sweden Official Website. "Truls Möregårdh’s Equipment: Cybershape Carbon CWT Truls Edition."
Link: www.stigasports.com
Olympic.com. "Paris 2024: Möregårdh’s Silver Medal Journey."
Link: www.olympics.com