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Coach Truong Tu

Ask The Experts: Truong Tu, No. 416

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer Question:  Here is my current setup Yasaka Ma Lin Carbon Forehand:RAKZA 7 Soft Backhand:Rakza Z 2.00 mm Total weight 181 gm I used a stiga pro carbon 160 gm weight. My wrist is not too strong, so I struggle with heavy paddles when I do a backend flick. However, I am a heavy hitter with a powerful forehand. I do forehand loops but a lot of backhand chops. Too when someone smashes, my backhand blocks are very effective. When I used the Stiga pre-assembled paddle ( 160 gm including rubbers), I could pick up heavy chops on the forehand side and could do much better loops. So, I need a paddle which is not too heavy, strong on the forehand. Should be able to handle the Tenergy 05 rubber and powerful rubbers in the future. On the backhand, it must be Spinny and have a lot of control. My serves are mostly backhand and sidespin, and backspin. Anything to enhance that will be great. My technique is good. Also, this would be the ultimate paddle which I want to use for a long period of time. So, need to have a good due diligence as I do not have the opportunity to try them before I buy it. If I was able to try the paddles or even feel the paddles, it would have been so much better. It’s almost a gamble buying an expensive paddle online as there is no chance to return it if it does not work out. The yasaka ma lin carbon one seems heavy near the handle. When I tried a ZLC ALC from a player at the club, it was heavier, but the weight distribution seemed much better, and my forehand returns were very powerful and with lots of topspin. Hopefully, I have provided the necessary info for you to help me out Answer: 
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This Ask the Experts question was answered by Truong Tu. Truong plays at the Silicon Valley Table Tennis Club in San Jose, CA. Coach Tu’s response is as follows:
Ravi,  I would recommend the Lin Gaoyuan ALC blade with Tenergy 05 on the forehand (strong forehand loop) and Tenergy 05 FX on the backhand (control and spin on the backhand).  Best of luck!  Coach Tu 

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