Fan Zhendong

About

Professional table tennis player who was ranked number one in the world for men's singles by the International Table Tennis Federation for several consecutive years beginning in 2012. Known for his charged maneuvers and strong forehand loops, he plays an attacking style of the game as a right-handed shakehand-grip. He has won numerous World Cup, World Championship, and Asian Games titles, as well as an Olympic gold medal.

Before Fame

He began playing table tennis when he was just six years old. After joining the Chinese National Table Tennis Team at the age of 15, he made his professional debut the following year and earned the reputation of dark horse by defeating numerous highly-regarded players. He went on to break the record for youngest world champion in the history of men's table tennis in 2014 at just 17 years old.

Trivia

In the year 2015, he broke the Super League table tennis record of 23 games that had previously been held by Olympics singles champion Ma Long. The following year, he hit his illustrious Magic Save, which was titled the Best Score of the Year at the ITTF Awards Ceremony.

Family Life

He was rumored to have been romantically involved with figure skating champion Li Zijun after the two met on a date arranged by his coach Wang Hao. However, the pair ultimately decided to remain friends.

Associated With

He partnered with career Grand Slammer Zhang Jike to defeat Koki Niwa and Maharu Yoshimura at the 2016 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open. He has also partnered with Wang Chuqin for numerous successful men's doubles tournaments including those at the 2023 Asian Games and 2023 World Championships.