Ding Ning

The 2016 Olympic women's singles gold medal match featured a 4–3 victory for Ding Ning over Li Xiaoxia, securing her position as one of the sport's most successful athletes. Born in 1990 in Daqing, China, she retired from competitive table tennis in September 2021 after a career that included multiple world and Olympic titles.

Olympic and World Championship Success

Ding Ning reached the pinnacle of her sport by winning gold in women's singles at the 2016 Summer Olympics. This followed a silver medal finish in 2012, where she lost to Li Xiaoxia amid penalty points issued by the umpire. In team competition, she earned gold medals at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Her World Table Tennis Championships singles titles were secured in 2011, 2015, and 2017, where she defeated Liu Shiwen and Zhu Yuling respectively.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

Extensive Tournament Record

Her record in international competition spanned over a decade, starting with a World Junior Championships win in 2005. She claimed the World Cup title three times, in 2011, 2014, and 2018. Her dominance extended to Pro Tour events, where she achieved 11 singles victories and 18 doubles wins. She also excelled in team formats, including consecutive World Team Cup wins between 2009 and 2018.

Post-Competitive Life

Following her official retirement announcement in September 2021, Ding transitioned into academic pursuits. She is currently enrolled at Peking University, where she works toward a master's degree in Physical Education. Her contributions to the sport were formally recognized in 2016 when she was inducted into the ITTF Hall of Fame.