Site Products
Coach Truong Tu

Ask The Experts: Truong Tu, No. 416

Posted on 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: 
image004
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 

Contact our Experts with your table tennis equipment question. Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

Don’t Start Below the Table

April 22, 2026
Robot plays backspin to short middle, half long in middle or long in middle randomly. The player needs… Read More

Jessica Reyes Lai – WTT Singapore Highlights, pt 2

April 22, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights,, Jessica Reyes Lai is in action in more WTT… Read More

Push with Purpose and Placement

April 20, 2026
(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame So often players push just to keep… Read More

Simeon Martin – 1 Forehand Loop, 1 Backhand Loop

April 20, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Simeon Martin is executing a numbered based Forehand and Backhand… Read More

Great News: Texas Table Tennis Upcoming Head Coach Koji Itagaki

April 20, 2026
(By Texas Table Tennis Club) Koji Itagaki coached TSV Bad Königshofen of Table Tennis Bundesliga since 2016. Under… Read More

Portland Paddlers Win MLTT Season 3

April 19, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) Why is there a Golden Game?  For Moments Like These. With the entire season hanging… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Seattle Pacific Table Tennis Club

April 19, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) Seattle Pacific Table Tennis Club (SPTTC) is located in Bellevue, Washington, off of highway SR-520… Read More

Angel Naranjo is Central American & Caribbean Champion

April 19, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) After anchoring Team Puerto Rico to a win earlier in the week, Angel… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.