Liu Guoliang | |
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Liu Guoliang at the 2013 World Table Tennis Championships – Men's Singles
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Full name | Liu Guoliang |
Nationality | China |
Born |
Xinxiang, Henan, China |
January 10, 1976
Liu Guoliang (simplified Chinese: 刘国梁; traditional Chinese: 劉國梁; pinyin: Liú Guóliáng; born January 10, 1976, in Xinxiang, Henan) is a Chinese table tennis player who has won all titles at major world tournaments including World Championships, World Cup and Olympic Games. The second man to achieve a career grand slam of 3 majors (Olympic Gold, World Cup, World Championships). He is considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time.
Liu Guoliang was born in Xinxiang, Henan. He was appointed as the head coach of the China's National Men's Team at the age of 27. He has retired after the 2001 season. He is currently the head coach of the Chinese Men's National Table Tennis Team and has coached them to a team gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in addition to the medal sweep by Ma Lin, Wang Hao, and Wang Liqin.
Liu Guoliang's older brother, Liu Guodong, is the current head coach of the Indonesia table tennis national team. Liu Guodong has recently resigned from his job as head coach of the Singapore women's team.
His playing style is based on the use of short pimple-out rubber and he uses a penholder grip. He is the forerunner of the backhand reverse topspin. His blade is STIGA Clipper, his forehand rubber is STIGA Clippa and his reverse backhand rubber is STIGA Mendo Energy.