Who currently has the best backhand in table tennis?

Not sure without doing extensive research.

Top 5 in my opinion:

1. Harimoto
2. Liang Jingkun
3. FZD
4. Pitchford
5. Calderano

1. Harimoto
2. FZD
3. MA Long

Good and concise lists already. I should admit, Calderano and Pitchford sprung to mind immediately, but at some point last year I was severely impressed by the BH's of both Yoshimura brothers.

yoass said:

Good and concise lists already. I should admit, Calderano and Pitchford sprung to mind immediately, but at some point last year I was severely impressed by the BH's of both Yoshimura brothers.

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yeh I think far from the table Pitchford and Calderano BH are exceptional but I think thats not how you win a match so even if Harimoto cannot make those shots, he is very good at what he does with this BH and thats how he win big matches

Hm, come to think of it nobody mentioned Dima Ovtcharov yet. He's up there somewhere, though.

Takkyu_wa_inochi said:

yeh I think far from the table Pitchford and Calderano BH are exceptional but I think thats not how you win a match so even if Harimoto cannot make those shots, he is very good at what he does with this BH and thats how he win big matches

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You are right there. Matches are won at the table. And I nominate Mima Ito's BH (especially in service reception) for inclusion in that list of today's greats.

I believe Harimoto has the strongest BH because of his service return: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZOiFRWLyb4&feature=youtu.be&t=648

In a rally some other players are on the same level or possibly better. The difference is that the service receive is the most important shot in table tennis beside the own service.


One of the best BH player is missing in the vote by the way, Liang Jingkun. His BH is superior to the BH from Fan Zhendong imho.

Btw, Darko Jorgic's BH is probably one of the best in Europe though I wouldn't put him above Pitchford and the other because he's not as consistent.

In terms of speed, ZJK said Harimoto is in the top few.


Even though ML has fixed up his BH, he's in no way in the top 5.

GusShnaps said:

I was wondering who you guys think has the best and most effective backhand in table tennis.

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If Zhang jike starts playing next year , for sure he is the best in backhand as he was before .

zeio said:

Even though ML has fixed up his BH, he's in no way in the top 5.

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I don't agree with this at all, but I understand the opinion.

1) Pitchford, besides having a backhand strong enough to hit winners from a distance most players would lob, also has fantastic over-the-table backhand which, again, leaves opponents stunned. That's how he defeated Harimoto, with that shot. And serve return as aggressive as you could ever wish for.

2) Calderano's is amazing. His backhand is one of the most destructive but also incredibly versatile. He has very very precise control. He can rip a own-the-line winner from under the table that leaves opponents stunned. In his recent victories, if you look at those matches... What a crazy backhand.
But not very consistent.

3) I guess Harimoto comes third for me, but mostly because everyone says it. I haven't seen anything spectacular in his backhand except very high consistency, but that has nothing much to do with his backhand. All of his shots are supremely consistent, more so than most other pros even, which is why he is dominates them. His pushes are just as incredibly precise, for example.


I guess they're all the same really.
Calderano would be best if he was also consistent like Harimoto, Harimoto would be best if he was also as explosive as Pitchford/Calderano, and Pitchford would be best if he was more versatile like Calderano.

This is hard! I think it is difficult to find a player that is best on all backhand shots.

Lula said:

This is hard! I think it is difficult to find a player that is best on all backhand shots.

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No one is so I focus on overall backhand play and Harimoto has the edge.

Count that worthless BH-Man from MyTT no. 19,835 or so...

And this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCgivRvE9Og

Ma long, zjk and harimoto

sorry Yogi, Tiago Apolonia and Mizutani has the best bh. No comparison.
In Europe from Young generation- Gerassimenko is worthy to mention, Karakasevic is my favourite
The most spectacular will be Kreanga.
Worldwide: FZD and only Ma Long can match with his BH.

In my opinion the best lookin bh movement all the time Youngsik.