Joo Sae-hyuk

Joo Sae-Hyuk
Personal information
Nationality	South Korea
Born	20 January 1980 Seoul, South Korea
Playing style	Shakehand grip
Highest ranking	5 (March 2012)[1]
Current ranking	17 (April 2016)
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Weight	68 kg (150 lb; 10.7 st)[2]
Medal record Olympic Games 2012 London Team World Championships 2003 Paris Singles 2006 Bremen Team 2008 Guangzhou Team 2001 Osaka Team 2004 Doha Team 2010 Moscow Team 2012 Dortmund Team 2016 Kuala Lumpur Team Asian Games 2002 Busan Team 2006 Doha Team 2010 Guangzhou Team 2014 Incheon Team 2006 Doha Mixed Doubles 2010 Guangzhou Singles 2014 Incheon Singles

Joo Sae-Hyuk (born 20 January 1980) is a South Korean table tennis player who has revolutionized the way players think about the defensive style.^[2][3] As a singles player, he was a silver medalist at the 2003 World Table Tennis Championships, a bronze medalist at the 2011 Table Tennis World Cup, and a bronze medalist at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games. ^[4] In the team event, as a member of the South Korean National Team, he was a silver medalist in the 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014 Asian Games; the 2006 and 2008 World Championships; and the 2012 Summer Olympics.^[5]

History

Joo Sae-Hyuk was born in Seoul, South Korea on January 20, 1980.^[3] He stands 180 cm tall, and weighs 68 kg.^[2] He first started competing when he was 8 years old. He joined the national team in 2001, and fans began taking an interest in him for his dynamic defensive style.

Between April and May 2012, Joo Sae-Hyuk was diagnosed with Behçet's disease, Although Behcet's disease is known to be incurable, it appears that Joo Sae Hyuk is still performing well. On the medical side, Joo Sae-Hyuk relies on glucocorticoids to manage his disease.

Style of Play

Joo Sae-Hyuk has helped revive the popularity of the defensive style at the professional level.^[6] He is one of the few top-ranked players in the world (position 5 in 2012)^[7] to play a primarily defensive style, repeatedly returning the ball with heavy backspin on both wings.^[8] This has led some to dub him the world’s best defensive player.^[9] At the same time, he has a powerful topspin forehand that he uses to counterattack when the opportunity may arise.^[10] As with many defenders, his long rallies and entertaining style of play have made him a fan favourite. He is one of several foreign players in recent years to challenge China's dominance over the sport.^[11]

Rankings

Since June 2003, the International Table Tennis Federation has consistently ranked Joo Sae-Hyuk as one of the 40 best table tennis players in the world after he defeated Ma Lin. Since July 2006, he has been consistently ranked in the ITTF's top 20. His peak rating was at #5, in March 2012.^[12]

Coaches

• Yang Ki-Ho- Personal Coach
• Yoo Nam-Kyu- National Coach
• Kim Taek-Soo- National Coach

References

1. "World ranking Record for JOO Sae Hyuk (KOR)". ittf.com. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
2. "JOO Sae Hyuk". ittf.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
3. "JOO Sae Hyuk (KOR)". euroasia-ettu.com. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
4. "JOO Sae Hyuk (KOR)". ittf.com. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
5. "London 2012 - Table Tennis - Men's Team". www.olympic.org. IOC. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
6. http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=22125. Missing or empty |title= (help); External link in |website= (help);
7. World ranking Record for JOO Saehyuk (KOR)
8. http://www.tabletennismaster.com/player/joo-se-hyuk. Missing or empty |title= (help); External link in |website= (help);
9. http://www.tabletennismaster.com/player/joo-se-hyuk. Missing or empty |title= (help); External link in |website= (help);
10. http://www.tabletennismaster.com/player/joo-se-hyuk. Missing or empty |title= (help); External link in |website= (help);
11. http://ooakforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=22125. Missing or empty |title= (help); External link in |website= (help);
12. http://www.ittf.com/ittf_ranking/WR_Table_3_A2_Details.asp?ID=25053364&s_Player_Name=&. Missing or empty |title= (help); External link in |website= (help);