Born: 1981 (Beijing, China)
Zhang Yining (simplified Chinese: 张怡宁; traditional Chinese: 張怡寧; pinyin: Zhāng Yí Níng; born 5 October 1981) is a Chinese table tennis player who retired in 2009. She is considered one of the greatest female players in the sport’s history. In terms of achievements, she is one of the most successful female table tennis players alongside Ding Ning, Deng Yaping, Wang Nan, and Li Xiaoxia. Zhang has won the gold medal in each of the Table Tennis World Cup, the Table Tennis World Championships, and the Olympic Games.
Zhang Yining held the ITTF #1 ranking continuously from 2003 to 2009, except for two months in 2008, remaining a dominant figure in women’s table tennis. She is known for her exceptional skills and technique, earning her the nickname The Yellow Beast during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Zhang’s accomplishments include four Olympic gold medals, ten World Championships, and four World Cup wins. She was a force to be reckoned with on the table tennis circuit.
Born in Beijing, China, Zhang Yining started playing table tennis at a young age. She attended and graduated from Beijing Shichahai Sports School, where she honed her skills and developed her talent. It was at this school that Zhang crossed paths with Li Jiawei of Singapore, who also went on to become a table tennis champion.
Zhang’s success on the international stage started early in her career. In 1999, she won the silver medal in women’s singles at the 45th World Table Tennis Championships. The following year, she was part of the Chinese team that clinched the gold medal in the women’s team event. This was just the beginning of her illustrious career.
In 2004, at the Games of the 28th Olympiad, Zhang Yining cemented her status as a table tennis legend. She won both the women’s singles and women’s doubles gold medals, solidifying her dominance in the sport. Her performance at the Olympic Games showcased her incredible skill, precision, and mental toughness.
Throughout her career, Zhang utilized a specially made Zhang Yining ZLC blade by Butterfly. She used Tenergy 05 for her forehand and Tenergy 64 for her backhand, creating a deadly combination of power and control. Her style of play was characterized by aggressive attacks and precise shots that left her opponents struggling to keep up.
In October 2009, Zhang Yining made the decision to retire from international play. She announced her retirement in 2011 and decided to pursue further education in the United States. Zhang attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied and improved her English language skills. She expressed her desire to introduce Americans to the sport of table tennis and promote its popularity.
Since 2010, Zhang has served as the assistant president of the China Table Tennis College in Shanghai. Her dedication to the sport and desire to give back to the table tennis community are evident in her continued involvement in the development of young players.
Zhang Yining’s contribution to the sport of table tennis extends beyond her record-breaking achievements. She has inspired countless individuals, especially young girls, to pursue their dreams and excel in their chosen pursuits. Her success serves as a reminder of the power of dedication, hard work, and perseverance.
In recognition of her outstanding career, Zhang Yining has received numerous accolades and awards throughout her table tennis journey. Some of her notable achievements include:
– 45th World Table Tennis Championships (1999): Women’s Single Silver
– 45th World Table Tennis Championships (2000): Women’s Team Gold
– 5th ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals (2000): Women’s Single Gold
– 5th Table Tennis World Cup (2001): Women’s Single Gold
– 46th World Table Tennis Championships (2001): Women’s Team Gold
– 6th Table Tennis World Cup (2002): Women’s Single Gold
– 7th ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals (2002): Women’s Single Gold
– 47th World Table Tennis Championships (2003): Women’s Single Silver, Women’s Double Gold
– 47th World Table Tennis Championships (2004): Women’s Team Gold
– Games of the 28th Olympiad (2004): Table Tennis Women’s Single Gold, Women’s Double Gold
– 8th Table Tennis World Cup (2004): Women’s Single Gold
– 48th World Table Tennis Championships (2005): Women’s Single Gold, Women’s Double Gold
– 10th National Games of China (2005): Women’s Team Gold, Women’s Single Gold
– 9th Table Tennis World Cup (2005): Women’s Single Gold
– 10th ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals (2005): Women’s Single Gold
– 48th World Table Tennis Championships (2006): Women’s