Our Team 2026/27
New Season – new Dimension! With Fan Zhendong joining the club, one of the biggest names in international table tennis will now represent Borussia Düsseldorf. The Chinese superstar strengthens a team that is already among the world's best. Together with Dang Qiu, Anton Källberg, Kanak Jha, and Yongyin Li, Borussia enters the 2026/27 season with a roster that has just one goal: to win titles.
The headlines, of course, belong to Fan Zhendong. Olympic champion, world Champion, multiple World Cup winner, and the world's number one for years – Borussia could hardly have made a bigger signing. With his extraordinary quality, professionalism, and relentless desire to win, the Chinese player is expected to take the team to a new level. Having a player of his caliber competing at the ARAG CenterCourt marks a milestone in the club's history.
But Borussia is far more than a One-Man-Show. Dang Qiu heads into his next season in the red jersey as Germany's top player and one of the team's key figures. The European champion has firmly established himself among Europe's elite. His composure, consistency, and experience make him an indispensable cornerstone of the team.
Anton Källberg, too, is capable of beating any opponent on a good day. The fan favorite thrills the crowd with spectacular rallies and has been reliably delivering crucial points for years – especially in the Borussia Düsseldorf jersey. With his experience, the Swede will once again play a key role this season, bringing calmness and confidence to the team in crucial matches. At the same time, his positive attitude and sense of humor help create a great atmosphere within the team – both on and off the table.
In his first season in Düsseldorf, Kanak Jha proved why Borussia signed him. The American brings tremendous consistency, great game intelligence, and impressive professionalism. He has integrated himself excellently into the team and is a true asset to the Borussia family, both as an athlete and as a person.
Yongyin "Leo" Li completes the squad. The left-hander is not only an excellent training partner but has also already shown in the Bundesliga that he can always be relied upon. Because he isn't competing on the international tournament circuit, he can train continuously in Düsseldorf and is available to the team at all times – a key component in the success of the entire team.
With five players competing at the highest level, Borussia Düsseldorf is entering the new season with a roster stronger than it has been in a long time. The ambitions are clear: to reclaim the German championship, advance all the way to the top in the Champions League, and compete for every title. The competition is fierce, but Borussia has assembled a roster with the potential to make history.
"Fan Zhendong has the perfect balance – a perfect player overall."
(Timo Boll)
I’m Fan Zhendong, 29 years old, and a right-handed player. My playing style is to attack in matches. I hope that I can do many interesting activities after practice. I am planning on watching good movies, visiting some landmarks, and going to the city. I hope I can have a very comfortable life in Düsseldorf.
I am very happy that I can join Borussia Düsseldorf this season. Before, I knew a lot about the club. I talked to my best friend Timo many times, and he also helped me a lot to join the club and become part of the family. I am looking forward to this season’s matches, and I want to play well to help our club win.
Fan Zhendong
In the club since: July 1, 2026
All-time record for Borussia: 0:0
Titles with Borussia Düsseldorf: none yet
Style: Right Hand
Blades: Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC
Rubbers: Forehand: DHS Hurricane 3 National Blue Sponge, Backhand: Butterfly Dignics 09C
Highest Ranking: 1 (First achieved in April 2018; longest consecutive run: April 2020–March 2024)
Date of Birth: January 22, 1997
Nationality: Chinese
Height: 1.73 m
Major Achievements:
- Olympic Champion 2024
- World Champion 2023, 2021
- World Cup Champion 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016
- WTT Finals Champion 2021
- A total of 117 international career titles
Dang Qiu
In the club since: July 1, 2021
All-time record for Borussia: 104:23
Titles with Borussia Düsseldorf: German Champion Team 2024, 2023 and 2022; Winner German Cup 2024
Style: Right Hand
Blades: Custom-Made Butterfly Penholder Viscaria
Rubbers: Dignics 09C
World ranking: 9 (29th June 2026)
Highest Ranking: 8 (2023)
Date of birth: October 29, 1996
Nationality: German
Height: 1,80 m
Latest successes:
- German Champion 2026 Singles
- 2nd Place WTT Star Contender Ljubljana Mixed Doubles
- 3rd Place WTT Star Contender Ljubljana Singles
- 3rd Place World Cup 2025 Mixed Team
- Finalist WTT Champions Frankfurt 2025
Greatest successes:
- Olympic Games 2024 (Singles: 9th place, Mixed: 9th place, Team: 5th place)
- European Champion 2022 Singles
- Finalist WTT Champions Frankfurt 2025
- Finalist WTT Champions Macao 2024
- 3rd Place WTT Finals 2023
Awards:
- Germany's Table Tennis Player of the year 2022
"Dang is one of the best players, or maybe even the best player in Europe, if he can play freely and show his potential."
(Timo Boll)
My name is Dang Qiu, I’m 29 years old, and I play right-handed and use a penhold grip. I am a compact player, relatively consistent, and enjoy playing fast and tactically. I joined Borussia Düsseldorf in 2021, coming over from Grünwettersbach, where I played for a very long time. It’s a fantastic club for me—the record champion, the ultimate in German table tennis—and I was very happy back then that I managed to make this move here. I’ve also made great progress since then, and I just feel right at home here. That’s why I’m already heading into my sixth season and hope we can make another run at the title next year.
"Anton Källberg has such a great ability with his outstanding serve and amazing footwork, maybe one of the best in the world circuit."
(Timo Boll)
I’m Anton Källberg, 28 years old, and I’m right-handed. I am trying to play as aggressively and as fast as I can without losing control. I’ve been playing for Borussia Düsseldorf for about 10 years, and I’ve felt comfortable here from day one. This really has become my home, where I feel really good and the team is great. All the people behind the scenes are great, everybody is working as hard as they can to keep the organization moving forward. I think with this much legacy in this club, everybody wants to win every single time. I think that’s something that really helps the club and the team to keep the spirit going. It’s really fun and an honor to be representing Borussia Düsseldorf.
Anton Källberg
In the club since: 1 July, 2016
All-time record for Borussia: 251:84
Titles with Borussia Düsseldorf: Champions League winner 2021, 2018; German Team Champion 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017; German Cup winner 2024, 2021, 2018, 2017
Style: Right Hand
Blades: Timo Boll ALC
Rubbers: Dignics 09
World ranking: 33 (29th June 2026)
Highest Ranking: 12 (2024)
Date of birth: August 17, 1997
Nationality: Swedish
Height: 1,85 m
Latest successes:
- 2nd place WTT Champions Frankfurt 2024
- 2nd place European Championships 2024 Doubles
- 2nd place with Team Sweden Olympic Games 2024
- 3rd place WTT Singapore Smash Doubles
- European Champion 2023 Team
Greatest successes:
- 2nd place with Team Sweden Olympic Games 2024
- 2nd place Doubles European Championship 2024
- 4x WC-Participant 2021-2017 (Double:17th Place 2019, 17th Place / Team: 3rd Place 2018)
- 7x EC-Participant 2023 (1st place Team), 2021 (2x), 2019, 2017-2015 (Sinlges: 5th Place 2021, 9th Place 2016 / Double: 9th Place 2021, 5th Place 2016 (P. Gerell)/ Mixed: 9th Place 2021 / Team: 3rd Place 2021, 3rd Place 2019, 5th Place 2017, 2015)
- 2nd place WTT Champions Frankfurt 2024
Kanak Jha
In the club since: July 1, 2025
All-time record for Borussia: 17:5
Titles with Borussia Düsseldorf: none yet
Style: Right Hand
Blades: Super Viscaria ALC
Rubbers: Zyre 03
World ranking: 24 (29th June 2026)
Highest Ranking: 19 (2023)
Date of birth: June 19, 2000
Nationality: German
Height: 1,72 m
Latest successes:
- Finalist Pan American Championships 2025 Singles
- 3rd place WTT Champions Yokohama 2025
- Winner Pan American Cup 2025 Singles
- 9th place Singapore Smash 2025
- 9th place World Cup Macao 2025
Greatest successes:
- Three-time Olympian (2024, 2020, 2016)
- Pan American Champion Singles (2018) and team (2024)
- Finalist Pan American Championship 2025 and 2022 Singles
- Winner Pan American Cup 2025 Singles
- US Champion 2025, 2024, 2019–2016 Singles
"Kanak has this amazing security, especially his passive game is outstanding – maybe one of the best in the world."
(Timo Boll)
My name is Kanak Jha, I am 26 years old, I am right-handed, and I play for Borussia Düsseldorf. I like to use a very speed-oriented style. I think my speed is something that sets me apart from other players. Generally, I play very close to the table, trying to put a lot of time pressure on my opponents. I’m a bit smaller than most professional table tennis players, especially at the world-class level, so I really utilize my speed, my fast footwork, and my timing to give my opponents no time for their shots. I am very well known for my extremely high-tossed serve. I think it’s not something often seen at the professional level, and I learned it when I was very young from a coach from China who I worked with for many years.
It’s an honor for myself to be a part of Borussia Düsseldorf. Growing up, it was probably the only club I knew. In California, there was no real league system when I grew up, and I didn’t follow the German league at all, but of course I knew Borussia Düsseldorf. Also, a large part is due to Timo Boll, who was one of my idols. It’s a club that I have followed since I pretty much started the sport, and now to play here, it really feels a bit like a dream. Every time I put on the jersey, there’s always a small moment where I feel, wow, this is a special jersey. I am heading into my second season. I think the first season went really well, not just that I had great performances, but also the overall feeling of being here. I’m really happy to be a part of this club. The entire club, from the workers to the coaching staff to my teammates, it’s been really enjoyable to work with everyone. The people here are extremely nice, and I think we have good team chemistry, which is something that is very important to me.
"Li is a great doubles player – he is always there for the team."
(Timo Boll)
My name is Li Yongyin, and I’m 26 years old. I play left-handed and use a shakehand grip offensive style. Usually after training, sometimes I watch a movie or just relax, go to some places, or go for a walk. I think it's quite important to try to fight for a title. At Borussia, everyone, including my teammates, is supportive and nice.
Yongyin Li
In the club since: July 1, 2025
All-time record for Borussia: 3:7
Titles with Borussia Düsseldorf: none yet
Style: Left Hand
Blades: Butterfly Mizutani ZLC
Rubbers: DHS Hurricane 3
Date of birth: June 21, 1999
Nationality: Chinese
Height: 1,73 m
Yongyin Li does not take part in international tournaments.
Danny Heister
In the club since: July 1, 2010
Titles with Borussia: Winner Champions League 2021, 2018, 2011; Winner ETTU-Cup 2012; German Team Champion 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018-2014, 2012, 2011; Winner German Cup Team 2024, 2021, 2018-2013, 2011
Function: Head coach
Date of birth: November 18, 1971
Nationality: Dutch
Greatest successes (as Player and Coach):
- Champions League winner 2021, 2018, 2011 (with Borussia)
- Champions League finalist 2025, 2024, 2023, 2017, 2015 (with Borussia)
- ETTU Cup winner 2012, 2007 (with Borussia)
- German Team Champion 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011 (with Borussia)
- German Cup winner 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011 (with Borussia), 1997 (with Gönnern)
- 3x Olympian-Participant 2004 Athen, 2000 Sydney, 1996 Atlanta
- 12x WC-Participant
- Multiple EC-Participant (3rd Place Double 2002 with Keen)
- 5th Place Pro Tour Final Singles 2002
- Winner English Open Doubles 1999 (with Keen)
- 11x Dutch Champion Singles
- 15x Dutch Champion Doubles
“DANNY CAN'T LOSE AND THAT'S WHY HE DOES EVERYTHING TO AVOID IT.”
(Timo Boll)
Danny Heister has been active in the coaching business since 2005 and has been head coach at Borussia Düsseldorf since 2010. In his very first year as coach in Düsseldorf, he scored a major coup - in the 2010/11 season, he won the Champions League, the German championship and the German Cup, repeating the triple from the previous year that his predecessor Dirk Wagner had "burdened" him with in his farewell. As the first coach of Borussia, he succeeded in repeating the triple in 2018 and 2021. Meanwhile, Heister won 22 titles as coach with Borussia Düsseldorf (3x Champions League, 1x ETTU Cup, 10x German Team Champion, 8x German Cup Winner). From 2003 to 2007 he was under contract with Borussia as a player.
Andreas Preuss
In the club since: July 1, 1984
Function: Manager
Date of birth: March 30, 1962
Nationality: German
Andreas Preuß is "Mister Borussia Düsseldorf". He joined Borussia as a player at a young age, later took over the manager's position from Wilfried Micke, swapped it for the coach's chair in 1999 and returned to the manager's seat in 2006.
Preuß stands for seriousness and integrity and leads the club very successfully without any scandals. In addition to the seven Champions League triumphs, Preuß's greatest successes include winning the German championship in 2003 with an inexperienced squad (average age of 22) and the four triples in 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021.
During his time as coach and manager, he signed Jörg Roßkopf, Vladimir Samsonov (who became world number 1 during his Borussia era), Michael Maze and, last but not least, Christian Süß, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Timo Boll, Anton Källberg and Dang Qiu.
Alexander Schilling
In the club since: 2002
Function: Managing Director
Date of birth: July 23, 1974
Nationality: German
The sports science graduate has worked for Borussia Düsseldorf for 23 years. Having previously held management positions in the Bundesliga and public relations, he has been Borussia's Managing Director since January 1, 2024.
Melanie Berg
In the club since: 2023
Function: Press spokeswoman
Date of birth: March 9, 1974
Nationality: German
The sports management graduate has been Borussia's press officer and responsible for the club's public relations work since January 1, 2024.