Weight
80g
Thickness
6.1mm
Plies
7-ply
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Standard
Balance
Balanced
Appelgren World Champion 89
Donic Appelgren World Champion 89 is a premium German-made blade commemorating Sweden's 1989 World Championship victory. Designed for all-around and controlled offensive players, it masterfully blends traditional wood construction with innovative Carbon Fleece Zylon (CFZ) material. This 7-ply hybrid offers a superb balance of speed, control, and a nuanced, woody feel. Its lightweight design and stable construction provide consistent playability, making it a reliable choice for players seeking a sophisticated tool for spin-oriented rallies and offensive play without sacrificing touch.
This symmetrical 7-ply construction uses outer Spruce veneers for feel and control, with Ayous in the inner layers. A thick Kiri core provides lightness and a speed foundation. The innovative Carbon Fleece Zylon (CFZ) is strategically placed to enhance stiffness, enlarge the sweet spot, and improve overall responsiveness without making the blade overly fast or losing its wood-like character.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Appelgren World Champion 89 delivers speed in the ALL+ to OFF- range, providing sufficient power for offensive loops and drives when paired with modern rubbers. It's not an extreme speed demon, which many players find beneficial as it maintains an excellent speed-to-control ratio. The speed comes from a harmonious blend of its wood composition and the supportive CFZ layer, allowing for fast, controlled attacks without feeling overly stiff or unpredictable.
Control is the defining strength of this blade. Its balanced, lightweight construction and generous dwell time create exceptional handling and predictability. Players report outstanding accuracy for shot placement, precise blocking, and confident execution of spinny serves and returns. This high level of control remains consistent even when using faster rubbers, making it a reliable platform for developing a nuanced, controlled offensive game.
Appelgren World Champion 89 offers a pleasant, distinctly woody feel with clear feedback, allowing you to sense the ball on contact. The combination of natural wood veneers and the integrated CFZ layer provides a comfortable, connected sensation that isn't harsh. Many players describe this feel as both great and comfortable, enhancing touch play and control.
The throw angle is typically medium-high, which creates a good arc on loops and serves, making it effective for offensive play. This characteristic provides a versatile balance suitable for both looping with heavy spin and driving through flatter shots, depending on rubber selection and technique.
This blade provides excellent dwell time, crucial for generating heavy spin. The extended ball contact allows players to impart significant rotation on topspin shots, making it ideal for spin-oriented rallies. This characteristic stems from the interaction between the flexible wood layers and the supportive CFZ material.
The blade possesses a medium, speed-elastic flexibility. It has enough flex to aid dwell time and spin generation, while the CFZ and wood layers provide sufficient underlying stiffness for effective power transfer on offensive shots. This balance also helps absorb impact during blocks and counter-hits.
A medium level of vibration provides desirable feedback without being excessive. This allows players to feel ball contact clearly for necessary adjustments, contributing to the blade's excellent control. The CFZ layer likely helps filter out any harsh vibrations, resulting in a clean, informative feel.
Crafted in Germany with premium materials, the Appelgren WC89 exhibits superior build quality. Special manufacturing processes like unique drying to 4% moisture content and a 24-hour cold press contribute to its remarkable stability and lightness. The use of fine saw plies instead of standard knife plies enhances durability and preserves playing characteristics over time. It's consistently recognized as a top-tier, well-constructed blade.
Technology
Appelgren World Champion 89 utilizes Spruce Pressing Technology (SPT), a unique drying process that reduces wood moisture to just 4% for enhanced stability and lightness, followed by a 24-hour cold press. It incorporates an exclusive Carbon Fleece Zylon (CFZ) fabric within its ply structure for modern performance benefits. Additionally, a unique 3D-technology shapes the handle ergonomically. Together, these technologies create a blade with balanced performance, superior durability, and a comfortable, connected feel.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Mikael Appelgren
This blade is named in honor of the Swedish table tennis legend Mikael Appelgren, commemorating the 1989 World Championship victory he was part of. While he may not use this specific model in current top-tier play, the blade was designed to embody his playing legacy. It reflects his style characterized by superb all-around ability, precise control, and creative spin play—qualities that define the blade's performance and intent.
Similar Blades
Nittaku S-CZ
Players report that the Nittaku S-CZ shares an identical construction with the Appelgren WC89, including material composition and layer arrangement. This results in nearly indistinguishable playing characteristics, feel, and performance. For those seeking the qualities of the Appelgren blade, the Nittaku S-CZ serves as a direct and equivalent alternative.