Joo Cheonhui: the naturalized right-hander rising in South Korean table tennis
Joo Cheonhui is a right-handed South Korean table tennis player, born in Shandong province, China, who became a South Korean citizen in 2020. She plays an attacking shakehand game and is world No. 17 in singles in October 2026. Her career-high ranking is No. 14.
In this article
Joo Cheonhui is one of the rising players in South Korean table tennis. Born in China, she was naturalized and now partners Shin Yubin on the national team. This page covers Joo Cheonhui's path, ranking and playing style.
Who is Joo Cheonhui
Joo Cheonhui was born in Shandong province, China, and became a South Korean citizen in 2020. She became eligible for international events for Korea only from 2021. She is right-handed and plays an attacking game with the shakehand grip.
Joo Cheonhui's titles
| Competition | Results |
|---|---|
| Olympics | None yet: the naturalization waiting period kept her out of Paris 2024 |
| Worlds and Asian Games | No confirmed medals so far |
| WTT | No confirmed singles titles in the 2025 and 2026 data |
| Ranking | Career high: No. 14; in October 2026 she is No. 17 in singles and No. 9 in doubles |
Naturalization and the national team
The naturalization waiting rule kept Joo Cheonhui out of the Paris 2024 Olympics. In 2026 she was selected for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in singles, teams and doubles alongside Shin Yubin, an all right-handed pairing that is new for Korea, which previously relied on the lefty Jeon Jihee. In October 2026 she is world No. 17. See the table tennis world ranking.
Playing style
Joo is a right-handed shakehand attacker. In short:
- Shakehand attack: she plays offensively, looking to take the initiative in the first balls.
- Right-handed: she forms an all right-handed pair with Shin Yubin, instead of the usual combination with a lefty.
- Strong in doubles: she sits in the top 10 of the women's doubles ranking. More on playing styles.
Recent results on the tour
| Year | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 11 |
| Total | 10 | 11 |
| L | WTT Champions Montpellier 2026 2026-10-29 | Women's singles Round of 32 | Joo Cheonhui KOR vs Adriana Diaz PUR 0-3 8-11, 8-11, 9-11 |
| L | China Smash 2026 2026-10-07 | Women's doubles Round of 16 | Shin Yubin / Joo Cheonhui KOR vs Wang Yidi / Jiang Yiyi CHN 0-3 5-11, 7-11, 5-11 |
| L | China Smash 2026 2026-10-05 | Women's singles Round of 64 | Joo Cheonhui KOR vs Zhu Sibing CHN 1-3 11-8, 7-11, 5-11, 6-11 |
| L | Europe Smash - Sweden 2026 2026-08-14 | Women's doubles Semifinals | Shin Yubin / Joo Cheonhui KOR vs Doo Hoi Kem / Ng Wing Lam HKG 2-3 9-11, 11-5, 13-11, 6-11, 12-14 |
| W | Europe Smash - Sweden 2026 2026-08-13 | Women's doubles Quarterfinals | Annett Kaufmann / Sabine Winter GER vs Shin Yubin / Joo Cheonhui KOR 1-3 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 10-12 |
| L | Europe Smash - Sweden 2026 2026-08-13 | Women's singles Round of 32 | Nina Mittelham GER vs Joo Cheonhui KOR 3-1 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5 |
| W | Europe Smash - Sweden 2026 2026-08-12 | Women's doubles Round of 16 | Dina Meshref / Hana Goda EGY vs Shin Yubin / Joo Cheonhui KOR 1-3 11-9, 4-11, 6-11, 5-11 |
| W | Europe Smash - Sweden 2026 2026-08-11 | Women's singles Round of 64 | Adriana Diaz PUR vs Joo Cheonhui KOR 1-3 5-11, 3-11, 11-9, 5-11 |
Source: WTT official results. Updated October 31, 2026. worldtabletennis.com
Frequently asked questions
Who is Joo Cheonhui?
She is a right-handed South Korean player, born in China and naturalized in 2020, who uses the shakehand grip.
Was Joo Cheonhui born in Korea?
No. She was born in Shandong province, China, and became a South Korean citizen in 2020.
What is Joo Cheonhui's ranking?
In October 2026 she is world No. 17 in singles; her career high is No. 14.
Has Joo Cheonhui played at the Olympics?
Not yet. The naturalization waiting period kept her out of Paris 2024.