Getting a grip: Hong Kong’s Wong Chun-ting wants to revive penhold style at Olympics
World No 8 is one of the few players to still use this kind of hold in world table tennis
Hong Kong table tennis player Wong Chun-ting may not be among the favourites for the men’s singles title but he is already being seen as an oddity in Rio.
The world number eight is among a dying breed of Asian players who still employ the penhold grip on his bat, instead of the shakehand style that is now dominant.
But Chan is hoping that a medal-winning run at the Olympics can help to revive the grip among young players.
“I hope it will not die out,” said 24-year-old Wong. “I sincerely hope that my success can motivate more players to choose the penhold grip.”
Unless Wong can provide an upset, the table tennis competition is likely to feature shakehand players in all the finals - the first time in Olympic history.