What Makes Eli Ho’s TigerWing Style Stand Out in Table Tennis Success Stories

Hybrid Grip Innovation

Eli Ho’s TigerWing style is built on a unique grip that merges the Japanese penhold and shakehand grips, a combination not seen before at the elite level. This hybrid allows him to attack and block with the same side normal rubber of the racket, while also using long pimples on the reverse for service returns and backhand pushes.This versatility gives him tactical options that are unavailable to most traditional players.

Technical and Tactical Versatility

The TigerWing style enables advanced techniques such as double-sided looping with inverted rubbers, fast attacks, and seamless switching between forehand and backhand. Eli can initiate offense from the short court and sustain rallies and counter-loops against topspin from mid-to-far court, making him unpredictable and dangerous in play. The use of long pimple rubber on one side and inverted rubber on the other is highly unusual for players of his age, requiring exceptional hand skills and tactical intelligence.

Proven Competitive Success

Eli Ho’s adoption of the Tiger Wing style has led to tangible results, most notably his victory at the 2024 ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge in Paraguay, a major international U12 event. His success has challenged conventional coaching wisdom and drawn attention from coaches and experts worldwide. He has also achieved significant domestic success, winning major New Zealand senior and youth titles at a young age, further validating the effectiveness of the TigerWing approach.

Expert Recognition and Changing Perceptions

Initially, many coaches were skeptical of the TigerWing style, considering it too unconventional. However, Eli’s international triumphs have shifted perceptions, with more coaches now studying and respecting the method. Leading figures, including ITTF Sports Development Director Mikael Andersson and New Zealand national coach Albert Cheng, have praised the innovation and effectiveness of the Tiger Wing style, noting its potential for producing world-class players. Inventive Coaching and Support The style was developed by Eli’s father, John Ho, a respected table tennis coach known for his technical expertise and tactical creativity. His commitment to innovation and rigorous training has been central to Eli’s development and success.

Summary

Eli Ho’s Tiger Wing style stands out because it breaks with tradition through a novel grip and tactical system, delivers proven results at the highest junior levels, and has shifted the thinking of coaches and experts about what is possible in modern table tennis.