The Pro's Equipment - Discussion!

[Peter93]

Thank you. What rubber would be an alternative, and what thickness and hardness?

Probably any preboosted Chinese rubber like Battle II or Dianchi.

Noticed a lot of equipment changes during the contender Skopje.

Hitomi Sato: Dignics 09c -> ZYRE. Yang Wang is also using Zyre so it isn't unprecedented.

https://flic.kr/p/2sh3ebR

Sakura Yokoi using Viscaria Super ALC. Also appears she is using Zyre on her backhand.

https://flic.kr/p/2sh3zyk

https://flic.kr/p/2sh4w7E

Satoshi Aida is using Shining Dragon II on his backhand now.

https://flic.kr/p/2sgAAnE

Kihara: Speedy Soft D.Tecs -> Speedy Soft XD. I noticed Kihara was using a vertically aligned shortpip at the ATTC trials held in Japan recently and the sponge color was slightly different. Can clearly see the pips are vertically aligned here.

https://flic.kr/p/2sgLAFF

 

[Faker]

Is Dang Qiu using a Viscaria?

Taksim maybe?

 

[Peter93]

Taksim maybe?

 

[thot]

Hashimoto speaking (in English!) to ITTF states that her DO Knuckle sponge is 1.2mm

What blade is Honoka Hashimoto using: Goriki, Goriki Danshi or Goriki Super Cut?
It's definitely not Super Drive, because it has 6 plies.

I read that she's using Super Cut, but then I saw some pictures/clips with her using Goriki.

Here it says simple Goriki:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1413798023046547&set=pcb.1413841493042200

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

From this clip I can't tell which is it because the handle is wrapped with overgrip:
https://www.facebook.com/ITTFWorld/...noka-hashimoto-uses-as-her-r/965720759379071/

Here it claims is Danshi:
https://tabletennis.ph/equipment/honoka-hashimoto-equipment/

Super Cut:
https://nittaku.tt/en-eu/products/goriki-super-cut

https://www.reddit.com/r/tabletennis/comments/1nsomy6

 

[Peter93]

What blade is Honoka Hashimoto using: Goriki, Goriki Danshi or Goriki Super Cut?
It's definitely not Super Drive, because it has 6 plies.

I read that she's using Super Cut, but then I saw some pictures/clips with her using Goriki.

Here it says simple Goriki:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1413798023046547&set=pcb.1413841493042200

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

From this clip I can't tell which is it because the handle is wrapped with overgrip:
https://www.facebook.com/ITTFWorld/...noka-hashimoto-uses-as-her-r/965720759379071/

Here it claims is Danshi:
https://tabletennis.ph/equipment/honoka-hashimoto-equipment/

Super Cut:
https://nittaku.tt/en-eu/products/goriki-super-cut

https://www.reddit.com/r/tabletennis/comments/1nsomy6

This is a great question and one that I've come back to a lot recently. The answer is, unfortunately, no one knows because of the grip tape. I posted a link where the ITTF interviewed her, where she said she was using the Goriki, Hurricane 3, and Do Knuckle (1.2mm sponge, which is custom made for her). However the ITTF took it down for whatever reason. Here is the link

After she beat Kuai Man, Nittaku published this article about her where they said it's the Super Cut.

https://nittaku.world-tt-s.com/news/page_1204.html

This article back from September of last year where they took pictures of her paddle (same time that photo on instagram was taken)

https://nittaku.world-tt-s.com/news/page_463.html

The likely conclusion here is that she probably uses both, and goes back and forth depending on things like the ball, the table, etc.

 

[belllfador]

Or when her sholder needs lighter load. My guess is there is good 10g diference between the two setups.