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CITY: London, England SITE: Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Waterden Road, London, E20

3HB DATE: 22-25 Feb 2018 PLAYERS: 51 men 49 women 100 total COUNTRIES: 16 TABLES: 4 TABLE BRAND: Tibhar San-Ei BALL BRAND: Double Fish FLOOR BRAND: Trioflor MEDIA CONTACT: ITTF Promotions Manager Caifeng Yang, [email protected] Introduction Welcome to the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup, the 11th edition of the Team World Cup. The Team World Cup comprises of a total of 12 men’s and 12 women’s team which are made up of a host team, Continental Champions and other top finishers at the 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championships. This media kit is designed to provide an update on the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup. Enclosed are statistics and notes that will be of assistance during the tournament. Players’ biographies as well as statistical, historical and personal data can be found on ITTF.com. Please make player interview requests through a member of the ITTF and OC media staff located in the press room. The last edition of the ITTF Team World Cup was held in 2015 in Dubai, and the next edition will take place in Japan in 2019. Key Dates/Times 21 February 2018, 03:00pm @ Grange Hotel Tower Bridge – 1st Stage Draw 22 February 2018, 10:00am @ Copper Box Arena – Women’s and Men’s Team Round 1 & 2 23 February 2018, 10:00am @ Copper Box Arena – Women’s and Men’s Team Round 3 23 February 2018, 05:00pm @ Copper Box Arena – Women’s and Men’s Team Quarter-Final 24 February 2018, 10:00am @ Copper Box Arena – Women’s and Men’s Team Semi-Final 1 24 February 2018, 05:00pm @ Copper Box Arena – Women’s and Men’s Team Semi-Final 2 25 February 2018, 11:00am @ Copper Box Arena – Women’s Team Final 25 February 2018, 03:00pm @ Copper Box Arena – Men’s Team Final Full schedule: http://bit.ly/2EffVrq Playing System • In the 1st stage the teams will be divided into 4 equal groups, with all the members of a group playing each other, and in the 2nd stage the group winners and runners-up will compete in a knockout. • For the 1st stage, the highest-ranked team will be placed in Group A, the 2nd highest in Group B, the 3rd highest in Group C and the 4th highest in Group D; the remaining teams will be drawn into the groups 2 at a time in ranking order.

2018 ITTF Team World Cup

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• For the 2nd stage, the winners of Groups A and B will be placed in positions 1 and 8 respectively and the winners of groups C and D will be drawn between positions 4 and 5; the runners-up will be drawn into the remaining places, in opposite halves from the winners of the same groups. • In the semi-finals, the winner of the 1st quarterfinal will play the winner of the 2nd and the winner of the 3rd will play the winner of the 4th; the winners of the semi-finals will play each other in the final. • The tournament will be played in accordance with the Laws of Table Tennis and the Regulations for International Competitions. • All team matches shall be played on the new Olympic Test Playing System with a maximum of 4 singles and 1 doubles. Order of matches: BC vs YZ; A vs X; C vs Z; A vs Y; B vs X • Each team has to submit their player list (Players A, B, C / Players X, Y, Z) at least 20 minutes before the start of each match. • All individual matches of a team match shall be the best of 5 games. • Seeding list done with the best 3 entered players and according to latest World Team Ranking February 2018.

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Men’s Team Bio China Seed: 1 World Team Ranking: 2 Coach: LIU Guozheng

FAN Zhendong LIN Gaoyuan XU Xin MA Long YU Ziyang WR 2 4 5 7 380 Age 21 22 28 29 19 Hand Right Left Left Right Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Penhold Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting story

Currently the highest ranked player in the Chinese table tennis team, Fan will be looking to continue his winning run by adding the Team World Cup title to his wins in Astana and Budapest.

Growing in stature in 2017 after his first major international win at the Asian Cup, Lin will be looking to kick on and start 2018 on a positive note.

The former world number one is the world’s best penholder and

The reigning World & Olympic Champion took a short hiatus from table tennis after the birth of his first child in Dec 2017. The Team World Cup will be a timely reminder to the world why Ma is known as “The Dragon.”

The youngest player of the Chinese team on duty in London, Yu formed a formidable pair with Fan during the recent 2018 Hungarian Open to claim the Men’s Doubles title.

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Japan Seed: 2 World Team Ranking: 3 Coach: KURASHIMA Yosuke NIWA Koki HARIMOTO Tomokazu OSHIMA Yuya UEDA Jin

WR 6 11 18 27

Age 23 14 23 26

Hand Left Right Right Right

Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Interesting story

A thoroughly interesting player to watch, Niwa has a unique “chop block” style that makes him a difficult opponent for anyone. His amazing point against Fang Bo at the 2017 Swedish Open has been nominated as one of the top shots of 2017. The nonchalant style made playing table tennis look easy.

The youngest world junior champion and world tour champion in history at 13 and 14 years of age respectively, Harimoto has been steadily making himself a household name in table tennis. He recently became the best player in Japan by winning the 2018 Japanese National Championship.

Oshima was the 2017 World Tour Grand Finals Men’s Doubles Champion together with his partner Masataka Morizono. He was also part of the Japanese team that won Silver at the 2016 World Team Table Tennis Championship.

Although only 26, Ueda will be the oldest player in the team and his experience will be counted on as they attempt to mount a serious challenge at the Team World Cup in London.

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Germany Seed: 3 World Team Ranking: 1 Coach: ROSSKOPF Joerg OVTCHAROV Dimitrij FILUS Ruwen STEGER Bastian FRANZISKA Patrick

DUDA Benedikt

WR 1 20 33 38 49 Age 29 30 36 25 23 Hand Right Right Right Right Left Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Defense, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Interesting story

2017 was an incredibly successful year for Ovtcharov, winning multiple titles and becoming the number 1 player in the world. Having helped Germany winning the 2017 European Team Championship, the aim now is to becoming World Team Cup Champion.

One of the greatest defensive players of the game, Filus has been a recurring face in ITTF events. His hardwork saw him rewarded by being ranked amongst the top 20 players in the world for the first time in 2018.

Steger enters the Team World Cup in London on the back of some eye-catching displays in Montreux where he progressed to the quarter finals coming back from an opening two set to nil to win the match.

Franziska has the daunting task of replacing living legend Timo Boll in the German team but he is doing this on the back of an encouraging performance at the 2018 Hungarian Open where he overcame Vladimir Samsonov on the way to the quarter finals.

Duda has several notable results in 2017, coming from qualifying and beating seeded opponents at the 2017 Swedish Open. He also made the semi finals of the 2017 Polish Open.

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Hong Kong Seed: 4 World Team Ranking: 7 Coach: CHAN Kong Wah WONG Chun Ting JIANG Tianyi HO Kwan Kit LAM Siu Hang NG Pak Nam

WR 7 46 41 58 63

Age 26 29 20 21 19

Hand Right Left Left Right Right

Playing info

Attacking, Penhold Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Interesting story

With his aggressive style of play, matches featuring Wong will always excite audiences. Undoubtedly the leading man of the Hong Kong team, he will shoulder most of the team’s hopes for glory in London.

Results in 2016 and 2017 had not always favor Jiang but the two World Tour titles to his name attest to a dormant potential he possesses. He will hope that 2018 will be the year he returns to imperious form.

A finalist with Wong at the 2017 World Tour Grand Finals Men’s Doubles event, Ho is a fierce competitor and will be one to watch as Hong Kong ushers in the next generation of table tennis stars.

An established player in the U21 games, Lam looks primed for the step up to the Men’s events. His run to the semi finals in the 2017 Spanish Open a case in point. London will be a great venue to show his growth.

Ng was a surprise inclusion for the main draw at the 2017 World Championship and impressed after making the semi finals of the 2017 Spanish Open. Performance like these are testimonies to his ability which he will attempt to showcase in London.

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Korea Republic Seed: 5 World Team Ranking: 6 Coach: KIM Taeksoo LEE Sangsu JEONG Sangeun LIM Jonghoon JEOUNG Youngsik

WR 15 31 51 102

Age 27 27 20 26

Hand Right Right Left Right


Sweden Seed: 6 World Team Ranking: 9 Coach: CARLSSON Ulf KARLSSON Kristian KARLSSON Mattias KALLBERG Anton GERELL Par

WR 19 36 57 96

Age 26 26 20 35

Hand Left Right Right Left


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France Seed: 7 World Team Ranking: 4 Coach: CHILA Patrick GAUZY Simon LEBESSON Emmanuel ROBINOT Quentin ROBINOT Alexandre CASSIN Alexandre

WR 9 24 76 133 205

Age 23 29 25 22 19

Hand Right Left Right Right Right

Playing info

Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Brazil (Panam Champion) Seed: 8 World Team Ranking: 12 Coach: ARMAS Francisco CALDERANO Hugo TSUBOI Gustavo JOUTI Eric MONTEIRO Thiago

WR 16 66 92 134

Age 21 33 23 36

Hand Right Left Right Right


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England (Host Nation) Seed: 9 World Team Ranking: 13 Coach: SJOBERG Marcus DRINKHALL Paul PITCHFORD Liam WALKER Samuel MCBEATH David JARVIS Tom

WR 35 85 81 165 266

Age 28 24 22 25 18

Hand Right Right Right Right Right

Playing info


Interesting story

Drinkhall is the highest ranked Englishman on the team and carries the nation’s hopes of doing well at the 2018 Team World Cup.

Pitchford was vital in helping England win their first medal at a World Championships event since 1983 when England won bronze at the 2016 Perfect World Team Championship.

Part of the team that won bronze at the 2016 Perfect World Team Championship, Walker will aim to repeat the feat in front of home crowd.

McBeath has had some notable results in his career and will look to do well in London on the back of the home crowd.

The young Englishmen contributed to a major upset at the 2017 Swedish Open by beating veteran player Gao Ning.

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Egypt (African Champion) Seed: 10 World Team Ranking: 18 Coach: ASHOUR Maged ASSAR Omar EL-BEIALI Mohamed SALEH Ahmed LASHIN El-Sayed

WR 17 116 151 236

Age 26 29 38 37

Hand Right Right Right Right


USA (Panam Champion) Seed: 11 World Team Ranking: 38 Coach: FETH Stefan JHA Kanak ALGUETTI Adar FENG Yijun

WR 88 359 399

Age 17 18 21

Hand Right Right Right

Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Penhold

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Australia (Oceania Champion) Seed: 12 World Team Ranking: 41 Coach: CLARKE Brett POWELL David TOWNSEND Kane

HU Heming

WR 117 185 514

Age 26 29 38

Hand Right Left Right

Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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Women’s Team Bio Japan Seed: 1 World Team Ranking: 2 Coach: BABA Mika ISHIKAWA Kasumi ITO Mima HIRANO Miu HAYATA Hina

WR 4 6 7 14

Age 24 17 17 17



Interesting story

Heading the resurgence of Japan in the women’s game, the Japanese no 1 is the oldest player in the team at only 24. Consistent performances throughout her career has cemented her place as a solid competitor and will attempt to break the Chinese dominance with this youthful team.

Trail blazer, record holder. Ito has been achieving things far beyond her age since she burst onto the scene. Still only 17, she is the youngest table tennis Olympic medalist and prior to 2017, the youngest World Tour Doubles Champion in history. As she continued to grow, one would expect her to be competing for top honors consistently in 2018. The Team World Cup will be a great start.

Becoming the first Japanese to win the Asian Championship in 20 years, Hirano stunned the world as she overcame 3 higher seeded players including the then world no 1 and no 2 players to clinch the title in 2017. Nimble on her feet and quick movements has allowed her to beat more experienced and illustrious opponent. In London, “the Hurricane” will aim to make an impact on proceedings.

Like her same age peers, Hayata has developed into an accomplished competitor at world events. Winner at the 2017 Spanish Open in November and doubles finalist at the 2017 World Tour Grand Finals with Ito, she has all the attributes to do well in London.

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China Seed: 2 World Team Ranking: 1 Coach: LI Sun ZHU Yuling WANG Manyu CHEN Xingtong DING Ning LIU Shiwen

WR 2 5 12 21 23

Age 23 18 20 27 26

Hand Right Right Right Left Right

Playing info


Interesting story

2017 was a breakthrough year for Zhu as she clinched her first Women’s World Cup title, and climbed to the submit of the women’s ranking for the first time in her career. She would look to reclaim the title of World no 1 in 2018.

Wang will enter the 2018 Team World Cup in London high on confidence after winning the first world tour title of 2018 in Budapest just a month ago. Wang’s place in the team came after edging out current world no 1 Chen Meng in the Chinese internal qualification.

Finishing first at an internal qualification in January, Chen has produced a series of strong performance leading up to London. She will be eager to show that she is a force to reckon now and in the foreseeable future.

Despite being ranked 21st in the World ranking, Ding is the current Olympic and World Champion. A win in London could bode well for her and send an ominous signal to her opponents in 2018.

Former World no 1, Liu is an experienced player who has been around the Chinese national team. A record 4 times Women’s World Cup Champion, she will attempt to help China continue their dominance of the competition in London.

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Hong Kong Seed: 3 World Team Ranking: 4 Coach: ZHANG Rui DOO Hoi Kem LEE Ho Ching SOO Wai Yam Minnie NG Wing Nam MAK Tze Wing

WR 9 13 25 48 92

Age 21 25 19 25 19


Playing info


Interesting story

As part of the new generation of Hong Kong table tennis star, Doo has been steadily growing in her game and reputation. Notable results in her career included her Youth Olympic Games silver medal as well as several upsets against top players. Together with Lee, the pair is now recognized as a serious treat in doubles competition.

A recognizable face on the world stage, Lee made it to the quarter finals of the recent 2018 Hungarian Open on the back of strong performance, losing out to eventual runner-up Sun Yingsha.

Soo has shown progress in her game in the past year and was evident as she made the semi finals of the U21 Girls Singles and the Round of 16 at the 2018 Hungarian Open.

Ng made the semi finals of 2017 India open and competed in several World Tour events in 2017.

Mak is the 4th rank player in the U21 category and while she may be relatively new to the women’s game in the senior category, she has consistently done well at the U21 level.

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Chinese Taipei Seed: 4 World Team Ranking: 3 Coach: ZHENG Jia-Qi CHENG I-Ching CHEN Szu-Yu CHENG Hsien-Tzu LIU Hsing-Yin LIN Chia-Hui

WR 8 11 45 100 399

Age 26 24 24 30 30

Hand Right RIght Right Right Right

Playing info


Interesting story

Cheng finished 3rd at the recent Women’s World Cup at Markham and will spearhead Chinese Taipei’s charge in London.

At the Women’s World Cup, the World no 11 came back from 3 nil down, saving 4 match points in the 5th set before taking the win in the 7th against Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem. Her resilience will be important for Chinese Taipei in London.

Growing in stature in the Chinese Taipei team, Cheng has slowly stepped out of the shadows of her peers. One notable result saw her make the semi finals of the 2017 Slovenia Open.

Beating the odds, Liu, together with Cheng made the semi finals of the 2017 Belgian Open Women’s Doubles events.

Lin was part of the team that clinched bronze at the Perfect 2016 World Team Championships.

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Romania (European Champions) Seed: 5 World Team Ranking: 7 Coach: FILIMON Viorel SAMARA Elizabeta SZOCS Bernadette DIACONU Adina MONTEIRO DODEAN Daniela

WR 24 40 84 89

Age 28 22 18 30

Hand Left Right Right Right


Interesting story

After suffering a set back in early 2017 which required a surgery to her knee, Samara came back stronger and mightier, helping the Romanian Team win the 2017 European Table Tennis Championship in Luxembourg. She became the first European women to enter the finals of the Women’s World Cup in 2012.

Breaking into the top 40 in the world for the first time, Szocs’ stocks has been on the upward trend in recent times. Winner at the 2017 Brazil Open and European Table Tennis Championship, she followed it up by storming to the 2018 Europe Top 16 Cup title. She will enter the Team World Cup in imperious form.

With Romania making waves in Women’s table tennis circuit, Diaconu is also doing her part in the U21 events, winning the girls title at the Europe 2017 Europe Youth Top 10.

Dodean was part of the 2017 European Table Tennis Championship winning team. She also made the quarter finals of the Swiss Open.

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Singapore Seed: 6 World Team Ranking: 8 Coach: HAO An Lin FENG Tianwei YU Mengyu ZHANG Wanling YEE Herng Hwee

WR 3 51 263 363

Age 31 28 18 20

Hand Right Right Right Left


Brazil (Panam Champion) Seed: 7 World Team Ranking: 17 Coach: YASUDA Lincon KUMAHARA Caroline TAKAHASHI Bruna GUI Lin

WR 95 97 115

Age 22 17 24



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Egypt (African Champion) Seed: 8 World Team Ranking: 18 Coach: ZHAN Chaoling MESHREF Dina HELMY Yousra ABDEL-AZIZ Farah NASSER Galila

WR 41 118 145 -

Age 23 22 25 24


Playing info Attacking, Shake-hand Attack, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

Korea DPR Seed: 9 World Team Ranking: 19 Coach: KIM Jin Myong KIM Song I CHOE Hyon Hwa CHA Hyo Sim KIM Nam Hae

WR 52 162 181 320

Age 23 26 24 21

Hand Right Left Left Right

Playing info Defense, Shake-hand Attack, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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USA Seed: 10 World Team Ranking: 25 Coach: FETH Stefan ZHANG Lily WU Yue WANG Amy

WR 60 129 627

Age 21 28 16



Australia (Oceania Champions) Seed: 11 World Team Ranking: 37 Coach: MIAO Miao LAY Jian Fang

TAPPER Melissa MIAO Miao

WR 67 189 -

Age 44 27 37

Hand Right Left Right

Playing info Attacking, Penhold Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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England ( Host Nation) Seed: 12 World Team Ranking: 36 Coach: GUSTAFSON Marcus HO Tin-Tin TSAPTSINOS Maria PAYET Denise SIBLEY Kelly BARDSLEY Charlotte

WR 144 360 639 188 -

Age 19 20 16 29 15


Playing info

Attacking, Penhold Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand Attacking, Shake-hand

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Prize Money Men’s Team and Women’s Team: Winner: US$ 50,000 Runner-up: US$ 25,000 Semi finalist: US$ 12,000 Quarter finalist: US$ 6,000 9-12th: US$ 3,000 Total: US$ 270,000 Past Winners Men Team

Year Location Winner Runner Up 2015 Dubai China Austria 2013 Guangzhou China Chinese Taipei 2011 Magdeburg China South Korea 2010 Dubai China South Korea 2009 Linz China South Korea 2007 Magdeburg China Hong Kong 1995 Atlanta South Korea Germany 1994 Nimes China Sweden 1991 Barcelona China Sweden 1990 Chiba Sweden China

Women’s Team

Year Location Winner Runner Up 2015 Dubai China North Korea 2013 Guangzhou China Japan 2011 Magdeburg China Japan 2010 Dubai China Singapore 2009 Linz China Singapore 2007 Magdeburg China South Korea 1995 Atlanta China Romania 1994 Nimes Russia Germany 1991 Barcelona China South Korea 1990 Chiba China North Korea

Tournament Facts

• This is the 1st time that England is hosting the Team World Cup. • USA has the youngest men’s team at an average age of 18.6 years old, and Japan with the

youngest women’s team at an average age of 18.8 years old. • Egypt has the oldest men’s team at an average age of 32.5 years old, and Australia with the

oldest women’s team at an average age of 36 years old. • Bardsley Charlotte (ENG) is the youngest female player at 15 years old, while Harimoto

Tomokazu (JPN) is the youngest male player at 14 years old.

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ITTF.com Make sure you follow the 2018 ITTF Team World Cup on ITTF.com to obtain the following:

• Head to head comparisons between each player: http://results.ittf.link/ • Live results: http://bit.ly/2018TWC • Up to date schedule: http://bit.ly/2EffVrq • List of players: http://bit.ly/2EiqZ2Q • Live streaming at https://tv.ittf.com/ • Live twitter blog #ITTFWorldCup: http://bit.ly/2Eaw69f • Photos for editorial use: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ittfworld/albums • Upcoming ITTF calendar: https://www.ittf.com/2018-event-calendar/ • Everything you need to do with international table tennis!

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