Weight
77.5g
Thickness
5.75mm
Plies
5-ply
Head Size
148x144
Handles
ST
Material
AllWood
Head Shape
Custom
Balance
Balanced
Challenger XS
Giant Dragon Challenger XS is a table tennis blade crafted specifically for younger players and those with smaller hands. Its compact head size and uniquely short handle provide a comfortable, controlled grip that's easy to manage. Built with a classic 5-ply all-wood construction, it delivers a harmonious blend of moderate speed and excellent control, making it an ideal foundation for beginners and intermediate players refining their technique. The blade offers a soft, responsive feel and a medium-high throw angle, promoting consistent topspin and easy stroke development. Its lightweight design enhances maneuverability for quick reactions and precise shot placement.
The blade uses a standard 5-ply all-wood construction with wood layers arranged symmetrically from outer to core to outer. This traditional build typically results in a softer, more flexible blade with good dwell time, making it well-suited for players developing their technique.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Giant Dragon Challenger XS delivers moderate speed suitable for an offensive playing style. It provides enough pace for developing players to execute attacking strokes and build an offensive game, but it prioritizes control and feel over raw power, making it a well-rounded choice for learning.
Control is where this blade truly excels. The 5-ply all-wood construction and compact size create a predictable, forgiving response that makes it easy to place the ball accurately. This high level of control is perfect for players learning to execute various strokes with consistency.
The all-wood construction provides a medium-soft feel that offers clear feedback without being harsh. This allows players to distinctly feel ball contact and spin, which is particularly beneficial for developing proper stroke technique.
This blade produces a medium-high throw angle that helps players lift the ball with ease. This characteristic facilitates topspin shots and makes clearing the net more consistent, which is especially helpful for developing proper offensive technique.
The flexible all-wood construction creates longer dwell time, letting the ball stay on the racket face longer. This enhances ball gripping for better spin generation and gives players more time to control their shots—a crucial feature for skill development.
Giant Dragon Challenger XS shows moderate flexibility characteristic of all-wood 5-ply blades. This flexibility helps absorb pace, contributes to the longer dwell time, and aids in producing spin, making it forgiving and controllable.
This blade provides moderate vibration feedback typical of 5-ply all-wood constructions. It transmits enough information about ball contact to be informative without becoming distracting or uncomfortable for developing players.
Giant Dragon Challenger XS offers solid build quality that represents good value. While it may not have the refined finish of premium blades, its construction is durable and well-suited for its target audience of developing players, providing reliable performance.
Technology
Giant Dragon Challenger XS employs a classic 5-ply all-wood construction that leverages the natural characteristics of wood to create a controllable blade with excellent feel. While it doesn't incorporate advanced composite materials or carbon layers, its design focuses on creating an optimal experience for developing players. The manufacturer doesn't disclose specific wood types, but the plies are harmoniously blended to achieve a balanced performance profile that emphasizes feedback and consistency over pure power.
Similar Blades
Yasaka Sweden Extra
Yasaka Sweden Extra is a popular 5-ply all-wood blade known for its excellent balance of speed, control, and feel. Similar to the Challenger XS, it offers good dwell time and a medium-high throw angle, making it suitable for developing players. While not specifically youth-sized, its all-wood construction and predictable performance make it a comparable alternative for players focusing on technique improvement.
Stiga Allround Classic
Stiga Allround Classic is another benchmark 5-ply all-wood blade renowned for exceptional control and feel. It provides a consistent platform for learning basic strokes, developing spin, and understanding ball contact. Its similar construction and focus on control make it a good alternative for players who prioritize a forgiving, educational blade experience similar to what the Challenger XS offers.