Who Is Ma Lin (table tennis)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ma Lin, born on February 19, 1980, is a renowned Chinese table tennis player who gained international fame for his exceptional skills. As of 2025, he is 45 years old. Ma Lin is recognized not only for his achievements on the table but also for his sportsmanship and contributions to the sport. He began playing table tennis at a young age and has since accumulated various awards, including Olympic gold medals and world championships. His dedication and talent have made him a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide.
| Occupation | Table Tennis Player |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 19, 1980 |
| Age | 45 Years |
| Birth Place | Shenyang, China |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | China |
Popularity
Ma Lin (table tennis)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Ma Lin stands tall at approximately 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches) and weighs around 75 kg (165 lbs). With an athletic build, his physique is a testament to years of rigorous training and commitment to maintaining peak performance.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Ma Lin remains relatively private about his personal life. Reports suggest that he is in a relationship, though specifics about his girlfriend are not publicly disclosed. His family has been a significant influence throughout his career, providing support and encouragement at all stages of his journey as a professional athlete.
Ma's alleged girlfriend, Bai Yang, was dropped from Women's National Team in 2004. It is against the rules to date in the Chinese National Team for athletes under twenty years old. Ma went on to secretly marry actress Zhang Yi in late 2004. They divorced in 2009. On this Ma stated, "Table tennis would be my wife forever.
This will never change." Ma married Zhang Yaqing in December 2013. On April 19, 2016, they had a son.
Net Worth and Salary
Ma Lin's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $10 million. His earnings come from various sources, including endorsements, sponsorships, and his successful career as a professional athlete. Additionally, he has capitalized on his fame by engaging in various business ventures related to sports and wellness.
In the China Table Tennis Super League, Ma played for Bayi Gongshang, Shandong Luneng, Guangdong Gotone, Shaanxi Yinhe and Ningbo Haitan. His transfer to Shaanxi Yinhe for over 5 million Chinese yuan was a league record. His next transfer was to Ningbo Haitan for just 1.3 million yuan (US$168,000), including 1 million yuan in salary.
Ma's training attitude was very serious, especially during the preparation for the Guangdong Ninth National Games. The training volume was large, and training times were long. Ma not only practiced hard to serve, but also practiced multiple balls back and forth, which requires a wide range of running.
He practiced so hard that broke a pair of sneakers every week. He has won four World Cup trophies (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006), more than any other player in history, but has lost three times in the World Championship finals (1999, 2005, 2007). Ma reached the finals three times, but finished as the runner up all three times.
The first time, in the 1999 World Table Tennis Championships in Eindhoven, Ma defeated Samsonov and Waldner to reach the final, where he faced Liu Guoliang. The two fought to a 2–2 draw, and Liu led 23–22 in the final game. Ma blocked and Liu won 24–22.
The second time, in the 2005 Shanghai World Table Tennis Championships, in the men's singles final, Ma trailed Wang Liqin 2–3 and 7–10 in the 6th game. Finally, Ma lost the match 7–11. The thirdtime, at the 2007 World Table Tennis Championships in Zagreb, Ma met Wang Liqin again in the final.
Ma made full preparations, leading 3–1 and 7–1 in the fifth game. However, Wang made a comeback and once again defeated Ma.
Career, Business and Investments
Throughout his illustrious career, Ma Lin has secured his place as one of the most celebrated table tennis players. He has participated in multiple international tournaments and has achieved significant victories including Olympic medals and World Cup titles. In addition to his sports career, Ma Lin has ventured into various business opportunities, such as coaching, sports academies, and his own line of table tennis equipment. His investments in the wellness and sports industry showcase his commitment to promoting an active lifestyle among the youth.
Ma learned to play table tennis at age five and became a member of the provincial team in 1990. In 1994, he joined the Chinese national team. Ma is the only male player ever to win Olympic gold in Singles, Doubles and Team.
He previously held a professional era record of 5 major titles (4 World Cups and 1 Olympic Gold), having won more World Cups than any other male table tennis player in history. He has since been surpassed by Ma Long, who has won 7 major titles. He has won a total of 18 world championships in his career.
Social Network
Ma Lin is active on social media platforms where he shares insights into his life, training routines, and motivational messages. He has a substantial following on platforms like Instagram and Weibo, allowing fans to connect with him on a more personal level. His social media presence plays a crucial role in enhancing his brand and staying relevant in the competitive sports industry.
In April 2024, a LeetCode profile became famous as it bore Ma's photo and description and was in the top 0.01% of LeetCode users. Chinese journalists investigated this and discovered it has nothing to do with the famous tennis table athlete.
Education
Though detailed information about his educational background is scarce, it is known that Ma Lin pursued training both in table tennis and general education during his formative years. His dedication to the sport often took precedence, but he emphasized the importance of education, which he believes was crucial in shaping his character and discipline as an athlete.
Ma uses the penhold grip. An aggressive player, he is known for his converse unpredictable serves, heavy short push receives, fast footwork, and powerful third ball attacks.
In addition to possessing a solid backhand block, Ma also uses the reverse penhold backhand (RPB), an innovative stroke utilizing the underside of the blade which allows a penholder to produce topspin from both wings.
The most dangerous weapon Ma has in his arsenal, however, is his consistent forehand loop, which he often uses to end a point decisively. He is also considered a master at serving and his serve is considered one of the best in the world, earning the nickname "Ghost Service".
It involves the ball bouncing back to the net instead of going straight off the table.
