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No doubt he would be at the top even nowadays. A small number of players could face Ryu's speed. JPenholders are unusual but I pray for a newcomer who will change the way of understanding this style, just as Wang Hao did with Chinese penhold. Personally, I loved watching Ryu play, even when he didnt win. Its true that there are lots of new strategies ( mostly shakehanders ) that could make it hard, and idk if he could win important titles. Penholders are the real gods of table tennis, and Ryu is one of the best, if Xu Xin and WCT are giving a lot of war, Ryu would too !