(by Wade Townsend)
ITTF Star Awards nominees rundown
Get to know the nominees for the 2017 ITTF Star Awards.

Who are the nominees for the 2017 ITTF Star Awards? Find out exactly are in the running for awards on table tennis’ night of nights.

Male Table Tennis Star

Timo Boll (GER): It’s been a renaissance year for Timo Boll. He has climbed the World Rankings, added the Korean Open title to his trophy cabinet, and took out Ma Long on his way to a silver medal at the Men’s World Cup. In 2017 the German veteran reminded the world that he still has some surprises in him yet.

Tomokazu Harimoto (JPN): A Male Table Tennis Star nomination for Tomokazu Harimoto was a near certainty. In 2017 the Japanese young gun captured the world’s attention and is one of the most talked about players. Kid table tennis won the 2017 Czech Open and in doing so became the youngest ever Singles World Tour winner at just 14 year-old. Harimoto’ style is changing the game as we know it and watching him play is like staring in to a crystal ball and seeing the future of men’s table tennis.

Ma Long (CHN): The flying dragon guaranteed his place in table tennis history in 2017. Ma Long will be finishing the year as the World No.1 after defending his World Championships singles title in Düsseldorf and claiming two World Tour titles. The standard bearer and leader for Team China continues to define the modern table tennis player.

Dimitrij Ovtcharov (GER): 2017 has been close to perfection for Dimitrij Ovtcharov. Men’s World Cup Champion, a handful of World Tour titles, and he is also looking like a near certainty to kickoff 2018 as the World No.1 player. Dima personifies determination and has an unrivalled conviction on the court. The Male Table Tennis Star award would be the icing on the cake for the German hero.

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