His results gradually improved, peaking at the end of the decade and the beginning of the next. He earned a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in men's singles, and won men's singles the 2001 World Championships over Denmark's Peter Gade.
Over time, his achievements continued to improve, culminating in success at the end of the first decade and the beginning of the next. He took home a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in men's singles, and went on to claim the title in men's singles at the 2001 World Championships by defeating Peter Gade of Denmark.