Introduction:

Ding Ning Liu Shiwen

In the world of table tennis, Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen are two of the most renowned players. They are considered to be the best in their field and have clinched numerous titles. Their skills, techniques, and tactics are highly regarded by their fans. This article is going to discuss the life, achievements, and struggles of these two legendary players.

1. Who is Ding Ning?

1.1 Early Life and Table Tennis Career

Ding Ning was born on June 20, 1990, in Liaoning, China. Her parents were both former table tennis players and her father was her first coach. She started playing table tennis at the age of six and quickly became an exceptional player. In 2005, Ding joined the provincial team in Liaoning and, as a member of the team, won two national championships.

Her talent was noticed not just by her teammates, but also by the national coaches. In 2006, she was selected to join the national team at the age of 16. Her success continued to grow and in 2009, she won her first Women's World Cup title, beating Singapore's Feng Tianwei in the final. This win marked the beginning of her illustrious career.

1.2 Her Achievements

Ding Ning has won numerous titles throughout her career. She has won the Women's World Cup twice (2009 and 2011), the World Championships twice (2011 and 2015), and the Olympic gold medal for women's singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She has also won nine Pro Tour singles titles.

Besides her individual achievements, Ding has won a lot of team events with the Chinese team. She has been an essential member of the team and has contributed to China's success in table tennis.

1.3 Struggles and Comeback

Ding has had her fair share of struggles, especially in recent years. She suffered from a back injury that forced her to withdraw from the 2017 World Table Tennis Championships. The injury also prevented her from participating in the 2018 ITTF World Cup.

However, Ding made a remarkable comeback in 2019 when she won the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. She beat her compatriot Chen Meng in the final and claimed her second World Championships title. Her recent form has put her back in contention for the Chinese national team and fans are hopeful to see more of her in the future.

2. Who is Liu Shiwen?

2.1 Early Life and Table Tennis Career

Liu Shiwen was born on April 12, 1991, in Liaoning, China, just one year after Ding Ning. She started playing table tennis at a young age and began training at the age of five with her father. Liu won her first national championship at the age of nine and then joined the provincial team a year later.

In 2005, Liu was selected for the national team at the age of 14. She was one of the youngest members to join the team, but her talent and dedication quickly earned her a spot in the starting line-up.

2.2 Her Achievements

Liu Shiwen has an impressive list of achievements. She has won the Women's World Cup three times (2010, 2012, and 2013), the World Championships twice (2013 and 2015), and a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the women's singles competition.

Not only that, but Liu has also won 13 world tour singles titles, including the Korea, German, and Qatar Open. She has been ranked world number one multiple times in her career.

2.3 Struggles and Overcoming Adversity

Liu has had her struggles in her illustrious career. In 2014, she suffered a serious ankle injury that kept her out of competition for several months. However, she managed to make a comeback and won her third World Cup later that year.

In 2017, Liu was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent surgery for the removal of her thyroid gland. She took some time off to recover and returned to the game in 2018, winning the Asian Cup in Yokohama, Japan. Her resilience in the face of adversity has made her an inspiration to people all over the world.

The editor says: Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen are two of the most exceptional table tennis players in history. Their talents, accomplishments, and struggles have made them legends in their own rights. They are an inspiration to all aspiring table tennis players, and their contributions to the sport will surely not be forgotten any time soon.