GRAND Slam champion-turned coach Liu Guoliang was elected as the new president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) on Saturday.

The 42-year-old was unanimously selected as the sole nominee for the CTTA president, alongside five vice presidents, while former head coach of the Chinese men’s team Qin Zhijian was named as the CTTA general secretary.

“My priority as the CTTA president will be the preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and the authority’s management restructuring to promote the sport’s professionalism, industrialization and globalization in the country,” said Liu.

Liu, who won the men’s singles and doubles gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, was appointed to coach the Chinese national men’s team at the age of 27 in 2003, then became chief coach of the national team in 2013 while also taking the helm of the men’s team.

In April 2017, Liu remained as chief coach for the national team while Qin Zhijian became the head coach for the men’s team. Two months later, Liu was appointed to the CTTA vice presidency, a move thought to be against his willing.

Under Liu’s reign, China  extended its dominance for a decade by taking all 12 golds on offer during the last three Olympic Games.(Xinhua)