By Nick Butler 

Zhang Jike was stripped of his prize money after his impromptu victory celebration ©ITTFPrize money withheld from Chinese superstar Zhang Jike after his exuberant celebrations following his International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Cup victory last month will be donated towards "promoting fairplay" in the sport, it has been revealed. 


The Chinese reigning world and Olympic champion demolished two advertising hoardings after defeating compatriot Ma Long 4-3 to secure his second World Cup crown in Dusseldorf last month.

He was not stripped of his title but was deprived of his $45,000 (£28,000/€36,000) prize money, a decision that was fiercely criticised by some for being overly excessive.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Executive Committee has now proposed that the fine will go towards funding an annual Fair Play award, to acknowledge players for their "good will on and off the table tennis court".

"The ITTF encourages all players to show strong emotions when playing table tennis," said ITTF President Thomas Weikert.

"Unfortunately, Zhang Jike showed destructive and negative emotion after his World Cup victory, which left the competition jury no option, but to fine him or to disqualify him which would have had the consequence not only losing the prize money, but also the title and the ranking points.

"We are glad that we kept his title, as it was a brilliant performance by the Olympic champion.

"It is good that the ITTF to be able to reinvest the money that Zhang Jike was fined into rewarding fair play among our players, with an annual Fair Play award."



Details for the award are still being discussed, with an announcement due shortly.

Although this is something new, the ITTF has long awarded similar awards for fair play at the end of individual competitions, including the World Championships.

In 2005, the recipient was one of Zhang's leading  rivals in Timo Boll of Germany, after he corrected a referee's wrong decision in favour of his opponent in a singles match he ultimately lost. 

Zhang Jike himself has also voiced his approval at the ITTF decision.

"I am happy that the money will be offered to a Fair Play award," he said.

"This will give a good example to the younger players."

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