Choi Hyo-joo


Choi Hyo-joo is a Chinese-born South Korean table tennis player. Born in China as Yao Yao, she became a naturalized South Korean citizen in November 2013.

Early life and move to Korea

A Jiangsu native, Choi attended a table tennis school in Qingdao, Shandong at a young age. In 2009, she finished 8th in the national cadet tournament, behind the likes of Chen Meng, Gu Yuting, Shao Jieni, and Zhu Yuling. She was spotted by Choi Young-il, head coach of the Korean club Samsung Life, who persuaded her to go to South Korea and acquire Korean nationality. Several people helped out with her naturalization: the mother of Jeong Sang-eun, another Chinese-born South Korean player, and Coach Choi's older brother, a public employee, who volunteered to foster her. Later, when she became a naturalized Korean, she adopted the surname Choi.

Achievements

ITTF Tours

Women's singles
YearTournamentLevelFinal opponentScoreRank
2015Croatia OpenChallengeShan Xiaona4–1

Women's doubles
YearTournamentLevelPartnerFinal opponentsScoreRank
2019Korea OpenWorld TourYang Ha-eunChen Meng
Wang Manyu
0–3