Fan Zhendong

Fan Zhendong
Fan Zhendong on ITTF World Tour 2017 German Open
Personal information
Native name	樊振东
Nationality	Chinese
Born	(1997-01-22) 22 January 1997 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China[1]
Playing style	Right-handed, Shakehand grip
Equipment(s)	(2018) Butterfly Viscaria with Infinity Handle, DHS NEO Hurricane 3 National (Blue Sponge) (FH, Black), Tenergy 05 (BH, Red)
Highest ranking	No. 1 (April 2018)[2]
Current ranking	No. 1 (September 2018)[2]
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[3]
Weight	77 kg (170 lb)[3]
Medal record World Championships 2014 Tokyo Team 2016 Kuala Lumpur Team 2017 Düsseldorf Doubles 2018 Halmstad Team 2015 Suzhou Doubles 2017 Düsseldorf Singles 2015 Suzhou Singles World Cup 2015 Dubai Team 2016 Saarbrücken Singles 2018 London Team 2015 Halmstad Singles Asian Cup 2018 Yokohama Singles 2014 Wuhan Singles 2015 Jaipur Singles 2017 Ahmedabad Singles Asian Championships 2013 Busan Team 2015 Pattaya Team 2017 Wuxi Team 2015 Pattaya Singles 2017 Wuxi Singles 2015 Pattaya Doubles 2017 Wuxi Doubles 2015 Pattaya Mixed doubles 2013 Busan Mixed doubles Asian Games 2014 Incheon Team 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Team 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Singles 2014 Incheon Singles 2014 Incheon Doubles East Asian Games 2013 Tianjin Singles 2013 Tianjin Team 2013 Tianjin Doubles Youth Olympic Games 2014 Nanjing Singles 2014 Nanjing Mixed team World Junior Championships 2012 Hyderabad Singles 2012 Hyderabad Mixed doubles 2012 Hyderabad Team 2012 Hyderabad Doubles Asian Youth Games 2013 Nanjing Singles Asian Junior Championships 2012 Jiangyin Singles 2012 Jiangyin Doubles 2012 Jiangyin Team

Fan Zhendong (Chinese: 樊振东; pinyin: Fán Zhèndōng; born 22 January 1997) is a Chinese professional table tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 1 for men's singles by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).^[2] After joining the Chinese National Table Tennis Team in 2012 as the youngest member of the team, he went on to become the youngest ITTF World Tour Champion and the youngest World Table Tennis Champion.^[4][5] He achieved the top spot in world rankings after holding position No. 2 for 29 consecutive months, starting from November 2015.^[6]

Fan's attacking style of play involves explosive footwork and powerful forehand loops.^[7] His thick-set build has led fans and commentators to affectionately refer to him as 小胖 ("Little Fatty"). His continuous rise to becoming one of the top table tennis players in the world has garnered him a large fanbase worldwide, with nearly half a million followers on Chinese social media site Weibo. In 2016, he won the ITTF Star Point Award, and he was been nominated for the Best Male Star Award every year between 2013 and 2016.^[8]

Playing style and equipment

Fan is a Stiga sponsored athlete. He uses a Stiga Infinity VPS V blade with black DHS Hurricane 3 neo National Blue Sponge for forehand and red Tenergy 05 for backhand.^[9]

A right-handed shakehand-grip player, Fan plays an attacking style of table tennis using his explosive footwork and thunderous forehand loops to finish off his opponents. Emerging as a 16-year-old wonderkid, Fan's playing style is often compared to his senior compatriot Ma Long. In addition to being trained by national team coaches, he has been specially trained by both Wang Hao and Ma Lin. His encounters against senior players in the Chinese national team drew much speculation and anticipation. His fearlessness and technique allow him to challenge highly rated, experienced players, sometimes even beating top players in thrilling style.

Achievements

  *   ITTF World Tour Grand Finals

References