Choi Hyo-joo (Korean: 최효주, born 15 April 1998) is a Chinese-born South Korean table tennis player.[5][6] Born in China as Yao Yao (Chinese: 姚尧), she became a naturalized South Korean citizen in November 2013.[7]
| Choi Hyo-joo | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Chinese (before 2013) South Korean (after 2013) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Yao Yao 15 April 1998 Jiangsu, China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 155 cm (5 ft 1 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 50 kg (110 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Table tennis career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing style | Left-handed shakehand grip[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest ranking | 36 (February 2016)[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current ranking | 69 (20 February 2024)[4] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Choi Hyo-joo | |
| Hangul | 최효주 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Choe Hyo-ju |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe Hyochu |
| Yao Yao | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 姚堯 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 姚尧 | ||||||
| |||||||
She represented South Korea at the team event in the 2020 Summer Olympics.[8]
Early life and move to Korea
editA Jiangsu native, Choi (then known as Yao Yao) attended a table tennis school in Qingdao, Shandong at a young age.[9] In 2009, she finished 8th in the national cadet tournament, behind the likes of Chen Meng, Gu Yuting, Shao Jieni, and Zhu Yuling.[10] She was spotted by Choi Young-il, head coach of the Korean club Samsung Life, who persuaded her to go to South Korea and acquire Korean nationality. Several people helped out with her naturalization: the mother of Jeong Sang-eun, another Chinese-born South Korean player, and Coach Choi's older brother, a public employee, who volunteered to foster her.[11] Later, when she became a naturalized Korean, she adopted the surname Choi.
Achievements
editITTF Tours
editWomen's singles
| Year | Tournament | Level | Final opponent | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Croatia Open | Challenge | Shan Xiaona | 4–1[12] | 
|
Women's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Level | Partner | Final opponents | Score | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Korea Open | World Tour | Yang Ha-eun | Chen Meng Wang Manyu |
0–3[13] | 
|
References
edit- ^ a b "Choi Hyojoo". Olympic Council of Asia. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Player profile - Choi Hyo-joo". International Table Tennis Federation. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ "ITTF World Ranking Profile - Choi Hyojoo". ITTF. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
- ^ "ITTF Table Tennis World Ranking". ittf.com. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "최효주CHOI HYO JOO". kttl.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "日本ペイントマレッツ 崔孝珠（チェ ヒョジュ）選手契約更新のお知らせ". prtimes.jp (in Japanese). 21 June 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ "ITTF Eligibility Registration". ITTF. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "16-Year Old Shin Yubin Becomes Youngest Ever Korean Olympic Table Tennis Player - Edges and Nets". edgesandnets.com. 4 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 July 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
- ^ Kim Jihan (26 August 2018). "16세 때 한국 귀화, 최효주 키운 전설의 '쌍유'". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "关于2009年全国优秀青少年乒乓球调赛有关事宜的通知". Chinese Table Tennis Association (in Chinese). 12 August 2009.
- ^ Jeon Young-ji (4 July 2015). "최영일 삼성감독"'17세 탁구신성'최효주 1년내 톱10도 가능"". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Croatian Open: Final Day". SD Sport. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Day Three: Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour SHINHAN Korea Open". ITTF. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
