Table Tennis World Champion Fang To Represent Kazakhstan, Excluding Three Majors

Table tennis world champion Fang to represent Kazakhstan, excluding three majors (Image Source: IANS)

Nomad Table Tennis Academy: Fang Bo, a former member of the Chinese men's table tennis team that won World Cup and World Championships titles, announced on Monday that he would represent Kazakhstan in future competitions, excluding the Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cup.

"I announce my return and will represent Kazakhstan," Fang wrote on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. "I have established cooperation with Nomad Table Tennis Academy, and I plan to compete in World Table Tennis events from June."

"I still hold Chinese nationality. I will not compete in the three majors," he added.

Fang, 34, helped China win the 2015 Team World Cup and the 2016 World Team Championships. He reached the final of the 2015 World Championships in Suzhou before losing to teammate Ma Long, reports Xinhua.

Fang announced his retirement from the Chinese team in 2021. "My love for table tennis remains the reason why I come back. I want to challenge my limits once again," he concluded.

A 33-year-old player with a right-handed, shakehand grip, Fang Bo reached the men's singles final at the World Championships by defeating the second-seeded Xu Xin and the defending champion Zhang Jike.

Fang announced his retirement from the Chinese team in 2021. "My love for table tennis remains the reason why I come back. I want to challenge my limits once again," he concluded.

In 2009, Fang Bo joined the Chinese national table tennis team. In December 2009, he won all four team and individual titles at the 2009 World Junior Championships, becoming the first youth player to accomplish this feat in China.

Article Source: IANS