24-year-old Anton Källberg (pictured) is used to playing a supporting role. Källberg is ranked #51 in the world, good enough for fourth in the perennial table tennis powerhouse nation of Sweden. Ahead of him are his countrymen Mattias Falck (#9), Kristian Karlsson (#28), and Jon Persson (#44). Källberg plays for Borussia Düsseldorf in Germany’s incomperehensibly competitive Tischtennis Bundesliga. Again, he is ranked fourth behind teammates Timo Boll of Germany (world #10), his aforementioned Swedish countryman Karlsson (#28), and Sharath Kamal Achanta of India (#33). Only teammate Dang Qiu of Germany looks up at Källberg in the rankings, and not by much at world #52. While the numbers may suggest Källberg should be relegated to a bench-warming, cheerleading role, he is having an MVP season. Seven weeks into the 2021-2022 season, his individual record is 8-0, first in the German Bundesliga. Not coincidentally, Borussia Düsseldorf is also first in the league. Boasting a 7-0 record, Düsseldorf is the last undefeated team in the league. Anton Källberg may be listed as a supporting player domestically and professionally. His results remind us, however, that the best way to support your team is by winning.

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