Gossima: The Culture of Ping Pong

Li Ning

If you haven't already heard of Li Ning Company Limited, you will soon. I predict that within five to ten years it will be one of the largest sporting apparel companies in the world. Li Ning Company Limited was founded in Beijing in 1990 by world-renowned gymnast, Li Ning, who is most famous for winning 6 medals at the 1984 Summer Olympics. Li-Ning Company Limited is the official apparel sponsor for the Chinese National Table Tennis Team as well as for top Chinese players, and is now also the apparel sponsor for the U.S. Table Tennis team.

Ma Lin

MA Lin celebrates victory over Timo Boll
2004 World Team Table Tennis Championships
Photo courtesy of the ITTF

Full name:  Ma Lin (simplified Chinese: 马琳; traditional Chinese: 馬琳)
Nationality:  Chinese
Grip:  Pen hold
Blade:  Yasaka Ma Lin Extra Offensive Pen hold
Rubber (backhand):  Butterfly Bryce/Bryce Speed
Rubber (forehand):  DHS Skyline 2
Playing Style:  Offensive–consistent forehand loop; known for powerful third ball attacks. Ma Lin uses a reverse pen hold backhand, using the underside of the blade. While the reverse pen hold backhand is becoming more popular, the reverse backhand is somewhat unusual for a pen hold player.

History of Table Tennis in China

This is a short video from BBC on the history of table tennis in China. Matthew Syed, the former number 1 British table tennis player, narrates the video.

China Continues to Dominate Table Tennis

 

 CCTV-International

Xu Xinwins his third gold medal for China at the East Asian Games Xu easily beat his fellow countryman Zhang Jikein the men's table tennis single final. Together in the doubles final, Xu Xin and Zhang Jike beat Chiang Peng-lung and Wu Chih-Chi from Chinese Taipei to claim the doubles title. For more information and a video on the table tennis finals, click here

Reference:
China Continues Table Tennis Domination by CCTV