The story with Timo continues

Since that day 30 years ago when we first handed a Butterfly blade to an 11 year old German boy, our story with him has never stopped. That boy's name was Timo Boll. He had an excellent touch from an early age, and everyone around him had high expectations. He not only went on to live up to these expectations but actually exceeded them as he expanded his career from junior to senior, from Germany to Europe, and then to the rest of the world.

For more than 20 years, he has been one of the few players who compete closely with Team China, who continue to reign supreme at the top of the table tennis world. Five generations of Chinese aces, Kong Linghui, Ma Lin, Zhang Jike, Ma Long, and Fan Zhendong have all been his rivals. This fact alone is a tremendous achievement.

He has attracted fans from all over the world not only due to his incredible achievements on the table but also due to his humble personality off of it. His spirit of fair play, integrity, and humility have made him a role model for table tennis fans across the world.

Timo is an icon of the table tennis world, and we at Butterfly have supported him as his equipment supplier. We have provided him with equipment that enhances his skills, which has resulted in long term high performance. Over the past 30 years, we have been interacting professionally with Timo. Butterfly is proud to have built a great relationship with Timo and will continue to work with him in the future. Happy Anniversary, Timo!

Timo Boll’s 30 years with Butterfly

1992

Butterfly signed with a promising young 11-year-old Timo Boll.

Viscaria-ST / Sriver FX / Sriver FX

Butterfly provided him with a Viscaria-ST blade, which was still a sample item at the time. His coach at the time customized a slightly thinner grip to fit Timo’s hand. Timo was using Sriver FX on both sides. The plan was to start with a 1.9 mm thickness and gradually make the sponge thicker and harder.

1995

14 years old. Timo won the European Youth Cadet Championships.

1997

16 years old. Timo won the European Youth Junior Championships.
In this year, he took part in the World Championships for the first time.

1998

17 years old. Timo became champion at the German Championships.

2000

Timo Boll Spirit was released. The first blade with his name.

Timo Boll Spirit-ST / Sriver / Sriver FX
“This blade meets my desire for both control and power.”

2002

Timo Boll Spirit-ST / Sriver / Sriver EL

21 years old. Timo won his first title at the European Championships in Zagreb.

Timo also became the World Cup Winner this year.

2003

Timo ranked 1st in the world.

2004

Timo took part in the Olympic Games for the first time.

2005

Timo Boll Spirit-ST / Sriver / Sriver
“I have gradually changed my rubbers to harder and thicker ones as I grew as a player.”

World Table Tennis 2005 Shanghai Men's Doubles 2nd place

Timo reached 2nd place in the Men’s Doubles event at the World Table Tennis Championships in Shanghai. He faced Liu Guozheng from China in the fourth round of Men’s Singles at the tournament. In the final game, when Timo had a match point at 12-11, his opponent’s ball slightly grazed the table’s edge. Timo did not hesitate to tell the referee that the ball had hit the table, and he eventually lost the match. This play led to him winning the International Fair Play Award the following year. It was an event that showed Timo’s spirit of fair play.

He won the World Cup for the 2nd time after beating three Chinese players in a row.

2007

Timo became Men’s Singles Champion at the European Championships for a 2nd time.

2008

The Timo Boll Blade Series was released. Timo chose the Timo Boll ALC; the successor of the Timo Boll Spirit.

Timo Boll ALC-ST / Tenergy 05 / Tenergy 05
“Using a booster is not an option for me because it doesn’t follow the rules.”

Timo became Men’s Singles Champion at the European Championships for a 3rd time.

2010

Timo became Men’s Singles Champion at the European Championships for a 4th time.

Timo became Men’s Singles Champion at the European Championships for a 5th time.

Timo won Bronze in the Men’s Singles event at the World Championships in Rotterdam. This is the first time he had won a medal in a World Championships singles event.

2012

Timo became Men’s Singles Champion at the European Championships for a 6th time.

2018

Timo Boll ALC-ST / Tenergy 05 Hard / Tenergy 05

Timo became Men’s Singles Champion at the European Championships for a 7th time.
Timo ranked 1st in the world. This was his 3rd time being World Number 1. The other times being in 2003 and 2011.

2019

Timo Boll ALC-ST / Tenergy 05 Hard / Dignics 05

Timo Boll ALC-ST / Dignics 09C / Dignics 09C
Timo chose to use the innovative new rubber Dignics 09C which he had helped develop. “A totally new type of rubber that I have long wished to play with.”

2021

Primorac Carbon-ST / Dignics 09C / Dignics 09C
Timo changed the blade he had been using for nearly 20 years. He made this decision in order to supplement his power.

A 40 year old Timo became Men’s Singles Champion at the European Championships for the 8th time.
Timo won Bronze in the Men’s Singles event at the World Championships in Houston.

2022

Timo Boll ALC with Dignics 09C

Timo Boll ALC-ST / Dignics 09C / Dignics 09C
Timo has chosen to start using the Timo Boll ALC again as he continues his career.