China's Ma, Ding, Zhu nominated for 2017 ITTF Stars

PARIS, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese paddlers Ma Long, Ding Ning and Zhu Yuling were included in nominees announced by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) on Thursday for the 2017 Male and Female Table Tennis Stars.

The winners will be crowned at the 2017 ITTF Star Awards in Astana, Kazakhstan on Dec. 14.

Ma Long defended his men's singles title at the 2017 World Championships, along with his glory at the 2017 Qatar & Japan Open, and the 2016 World Tour Grand Finals.

He is joined by German star players Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Timo Boll, and Japanese Tomokazu Harimoto in the list.

"After the best year of my career it is perfect to cap it off with a nomination for the ITTF Star Awards," Ovtcharov told ITTF in an interview.

Ding Ning won the women's singles and doubles at the 2017 World Championships. She was also cronwed at the 2017 China Open. Her compatriot Zhu Yuling claimed the 2017 World Cup champion, the 2017 World Championships silver medal and the 2016 World Tour Grand Finals title.

Up against the Chinese duo are Miu Hirano of Japan and Cheng I-Ching from Chinese Taipei.

Ding and Zhu also saw one of their spectacular plays in the World Championships final nominated for the 2017 ITTF Star Point.

Fans can vote online for the three categories with deadline on November 24. Fans' voting results will be combined with the judging outcome by an expert panel to determine the winners.

Five other awards, including Table Tennis Star Coach and Breakthrough Star, will also be handed in Astana.