Adam vs. The Best Defender of All Time

The wait is over. I'm going to challenge the best defender of all time to a best of 5 match, Joo Se-hyuk. He was born in Seoul, South Korea. At the age of 8, he began playing table tennis at his school, and by 10, he had started chopping. At the 2003 World Championships, Joo Se-hyuk came really close to becoming Men's Singles World Champion, and he got the silver. He's also earned 4 silver medals in team events at the Asian Games, and 2 at the World Championships. But in 2012, he was diagnosed with a rare disease called Bechet's disease. Despite this challenge, he performed exceptionally well at the London 2012 Olympics, winning silver in the team event. He's the only defender that I've ever seen beat Ma Long twice on the international stage. For almost 2 decades, he was the best chopper in the world. After retirement, he became the head coach of Team Korea Republic, and today, I'm going to challenge him to a best of 5 match. Even though Joo Se-hyuk is retired, he's still significantly better than me. So I'm going to start the first game with a 7-0 lead. If I win the first game, I'll start the next game with a 6-0 lead. If he wins the first game, I'll start the next game with an 8-0 lead, and so on. The first player to win 3 games wins the match. Unlike the last time we played, this time, I don't have to continuously attack. After all, when I play normally, I don't attack too many times in a row, especially against defenders. So, without any further ado, let the games begin. Snake. No trick, no trick. No tricks. Come on. Chopper, chopper, chopper, chopper, chopper. Why no offense? Why defense? I watched you growing up. I was inspired. Heavy. Generally, it's not recommended to continuously attack chops, because after every attack and every return chop, the spin increases, which can make the ball incredibly difficult to control. Nice. Good footwork. Come on. Now, all I need is just one point to win the first game. Game point. I can feel he's just sort of teasing me, just giving me a chance here. He hasn't brought out the heavy spin yet, the big attacks. I can get him to step around and play a forehand from the backhand side and then block it wide. Really test his footwork. We'll see. Game two. Joo Se-hyuk went to coach the kids during the break. I'm just trying to catch my breath. He's trying to coach a team. Incredible. Oh. Short to the forehand. They don't see it coming. Mix it up. Nice. He switches so quickly from defense to attack. Man, I've got to be really mindful with every shot. He sees it so quickly. I just leave a little space open. No problem. When he serves with his backhand, he puts his spinny attacking rubber on his backhand side so that he can spin and control his serve. Then twiddles right back to his normal setup. Took a chance. Never going to flick you up. Never going to flick you down. Game point. Two nets. Why so lucky? Sorry. This is going to be tough for me because I know he's capable of comebacks. But all I need is just one more game in the remaining three games to win the match. Oh, so good. That's what you get for taking it easy on me. Oh, so good. To the very corner. I thought my drop shot was too good. I've got a chance. Just one more point and I can win this match against the greatest defender of all time. Come on, Adam. I can take this. Match point. Good. Match point. No good. I couldn't get one point despite three opportunities in this crucial moment. I think Juse Hyuk has turned it up a notch. Game point. Come on. He attacked with his long pips. That means there was very little topspin, if any, and I really had to open my racket just to keep the ball from going into the net. Come on. Match point. Lucky, lucky. Very good. Yes. That could have been the match. That hits the net and goes on his side. He's done. 3-0. So much spin. Won't tell you. He didn't know which way the snake was going to go. Game point. He lifted the ball almost from the ground. His defense is crazy. Incredible comeback. He's still got it. He's got everything. And I know I haven't seen everything. I've only seen the tip of the iceberg. Again, I'm going to have to keep my racket high. This is what pros do. They keep their rackets high for these fast shots so that they're in position. Game four. Time to finish business. 3-1. Come on, let's go. Good movie. Thanks. Too much. So wet. Look at the racket handle. Serve off the edge of the racket. No good. Vamos, vamos. Vamos. Andale. Arriba. Vamos, vamos, vamos. When I got Juse Hyuk speaking Spanish, I know I'm in trouble. So, so close. Wow. Nine points in a row. Quite a comeback. If he wins just two more points, he'll win the fourth game. What happened? He hit me right where the sun don't shine. What? The table's so long. I'm pretty normal. I just mentioned that he's capable of coming back, and he did. Just one more point, and he'll win his second game. Game point. I came close. He comes back quickly. Game five. Stay focused. And don't give up. Come on. We've got two games apiece. Now... This is it. Game five. Whoever wins this game wins the match. I won it. So heavy. Still net. Xuxim, baby. Vamos, vamos. Difficult. Speed. This is a moment of truth. Don't let go. Match point. Vamos, vamos. How can I possibly defend? Match point. No, no, no, no net. Come on, edge. Come on, net. You guys are my babies. Match point. Please come down. Match point. Man, he is a true legend. Even with my seven-point lead, he played so well and won two games. Juse Hyuk is 44 years old, and he really helped revive the popularity of the defensive style in professional table tennis. His legacy as a defender will forever be cherished by fans. I'm thrilled that Juse Hyuk is still very present in our sport, and I hope to meet him again soon. Until then, keep on pawning. Peace.