FAN Zhendong

Fan Zhendong, from Guangzhou in southern China, is one of his generation's best paddlers, thriving in a nation where table tennis is more than a sport. It's a national passion.

Starting the sport very young, Fan joined Guangdong's provincial table tennis team at just seven years old. He soon caught the attention of the Chinese National Table Tennis Team, and in 2012, at only 15, he became the youngest member of the team.

His breakthrough came in 2013, when he won gold at the Asian Youth Games, earning a spot in the B team of the national squad and reaching the top 32 in men's singles at the World Table Tennis Championships.

At just 16, he made his mark on the circuit, winning titles at the Polish and German Opens. In April 2018, a 21-year-old Fan reached the top spot on the world rankings, replacing German Timo Boll. Since then, he has consistently maintained his spot in the world's top three, although he has recently been overtaken for number one by Wang Chuqin.