Bipa Special

Weight

105g

Thickness

9.5mm

Plies

1-ply

Head Size

249x132

Material

AllWood

Head Shape

Custom

Balance

Balanced

Champion

Bipa Special

Korea

Champion Bipa Special is a Japanese penhold blade built for control and feel, making it an excellent choice for players developing their technique. Crafted from a single ply of cypress wood, which offers performance characteristics similar to Japanese Hinoki, it provides a solid, direct feel with good feedback. The blade emphasizes a predictable response and ample dwell time, helping players build proper stroke mechanics. Its comfortable cork grip enhances playability, positioning this as a reliable and focused tool for learning and controlled improvement.

1-Ply Construction

The blade is constructed from a single ply of cypress wood, chosen for its performance similarities to Japanese Hinoki, offering a solid feel and good ball feedback.

TT Sensei Ratings

Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics

Speed
5.0

Champion Bipa Special is designed with control as the primary focus, resulting in a moderate speed rating. It provides enough pace for developing players to execute basic offensive strokes, but lacks the explosive speed of modern composite blades. The single-ply cypress construction contributes to a softer feel that absorbs some incoming energy, limiting its top-end speed while maintaining a manageable pace for learning.

Control
8.0

Bipa Special excels in control due to its single-ply cypress construction, which provides exceptional feel and dwell time. This allows players to accurately place shots and execute delicate touch plays like drops and blocks. The blade's slightly heavier weight also contributes to stability and predictability, making it easier to manage the ball and develop consistent, controlled play.

Feel
Medium-Hard
SoftMedium-HardHard

The single-ply cypress construction provides a crisp and direct feel. It offers clear feedback without being overly stiff, allowing for a moderate amount of dwell time. This medium-hard character helps players sense ball contact distinctly, aiding in the development of precise shots and spin understanding.

Throw Angle
Medium-High
LowMedium-HighHigh

Single-ply cypress blades often produce a medium to high throw angle. This characteristic, especially when paired with higher-throw rubbers, makes it easier to lift the ball over the net and is beneficial for generating topspin loops. The dwell time also helps the ball 'pop' off the blade with a good trajectory.

Dwell Time
8.0

Single-ply cypress blades are known for their long dwell time, and Champion Bipa Special continues this tradition. The extended contact allows the rubber to sink into the blade, helping players impart significant spin and providing more time for precise shot placement and selection.

Flexibility
5.0

Champion Bipa Special exhibits medium flexibility. It is not as stiff as some all-wood blades nor as flexible as softer options. This moderate flex allows for a good blend of feel and power transfer, enabling players to generate spin and drive the ball with reasonable speed while maintaining control.

Vibration
6.0

Vibration level on the Bipa Special is moderate. As a single-ply wood blade, it transmits more feedback than composite options, but the cypress wood offers a balanced sensation. Players feel the ball impact clearly, which is beneficial for developing touch, without it being excessively harsh during longer sessions.

Quality
7.0

Champion Bipa Special is generally considered to offer good quality for its price point. The use of durable cypress wood and consistent grip and finish suggest a well-constructed blade. It delivers a reliable playing experience that makes it a solid choice as a training or intermediate-level penhold blade.

Technology

Champion Bipa Special utilizes a traditional single-ply construction, a hallmark of classic Japanese and Korean penhold blades. The core technology lies in the selection and treatment of the cypress wood, chosen for its performance attributes that mimic Japanese Hinoki. This approach maximizes natural wood characteristics like feel, dwell time, and vibration feedback to deliver a pure and direct playing experience. The blade also features a cork grip, common in penhold designs for comfort and secure hold, ensuring consistent hand positioning during rapid strokes.

Pro Players Using This Blade

Ryu Seung Min

Ryu Seung Min is a renowned Korean table tennis player and former Olympic Champion. Champion is a Korean brand that has sponsored major events. While direct evidence linking him to this specific Bipa Special model is not confirmed, as a popular Korean penhold blade, it is plausible that players of his caliber might have used or tested such blades, especially during developmental stages or when seeking a specific feel.

Similar Blades

Champion Bipa (non-Special)

The Champion Bipa Special is described as having a slightly stronger and heavier cypress wood ply than its sister racquet, the standard Champion Bipa. This suggests the non-Special version is likely a lighter and potentially softer or less powerful alternative, offering a different balance of control and speed for players who prefer an even softer feel or a lighter blade.