Table tennis is one of the most followed sports in the world. Players from different parts of the globe will join in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and fight for medals in four events: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Team and Women’s Team. China defends her title in both Team events. In Singles, defending champions Zhang Jike (Men) and Li Xiaoxia (Women) are also back on duty.
Qualified Players & Teams
- Download a list of qualified players (male and female)
- Download a list of qualified teams (male and female)
For more information about the players competing in the Rio 2016, check out their biographies here:
Below are some players to watch at the Olympics:
Players To Watch
Men
Ma Long
Country: China
Best OG performance: 2012 Men’s Team Gold
No.of Olympic Appearances (incl.Rio): 2
World Ranking: 1
Age: 27
Playing style: Right/Shakehand/Attack
Career Highlights: 2015 World Champion, 2015 Men’s World Cup Champion
Interesting story: The world number one has won 22 ITTF World Tour titles. Ma will complete his first grand slam if he wins the Men’s Singles Gold in Rio.
Jun Mizutani
Country: Japan
Best OG performance: 2012 Singles Round of 16
No.of Olympic Appearances (incl.Rio): 3
World Ranking: 6
Age: 27
Playing style: Left/Shakehand/Attack
Career Highlights: 2009 World Championships Men’s Doubles Bronze
Interesting Stories: Mizutani was crowned Japan’s National Champion at the age of 17. He won the National Championships in January 2016 for the 7th time, which is a record.
Dimitrij Ovtcharov
Country: Germany
Best OG performance: 2012 Singles Bronze, 2008 Team Silver
No.of Olympic Appearances (incl.Rio): 3
World Ranking: 5
Age: 27
Playing style: Right/Shakehand/Attack
Career Highlights: 2015 European Games Singles Champion
Interesting Stories: Born in Ukraine, Ovtcharov moved to Germany following the Chernobyl disaster. Ovtcharov swept all major titles in Europe in 2015.
Women
Ding Ning
Country: China
Best OG performance: 2012 Singles Silver, 2012 Team Gold
No.of Olympic Appearances (incl.Rio): 2
World Ranking: 2
Age: 26
Playing style: Left/Shakehand/Attack
Career Highlights: 2011 & 2015 World Champion
Interesting story: Nicknamed “Big Baby”, Ding is well liked by fans due to her bubbly character. If Ding Ning wins in Rio, she will complete the table tennis grand slam.
Ai Fukuhara
Country: Japan
Best OG performance: 2012 Singles Quarterfinalist
No.of Olympic Appearances (incl.Rio): 4
World Ranking: 7
Age: 27
Playing style: Right/Shakehand/Attack
Career Highlights: 2016 World Championships Team Silver
Interesting story: Fukuhara received lots of media attention from the age of 3, taking part in exhibition events and television programmes. She was deemed child prodigy in Japan, as she often beat older players during tournaments.
Elizabeta Samara
Country: Romania
Best OG performance: 2012 Singles Round of 16
No.of Olympic Appearances (incl.Rio): 3
World Ranking: 30
Age: 27
Playing style: Left/Shakehand/Attack
Career Highlights: 2015 European Champion
Interesting stories: Also known as Eliza, Samara speaks 4 languages (Romanian, English, Spanish and Italian). She is the only European women to have advanced to the finals of the Women’s’ World Cup (2012).
