[How I Use No Spin!] Koki Niwa: "No spin is one option for making a match simpler"

　Koki Niwa, known for his outstanding technique, mainly uses knuckle service, while also taking advantage of the knuckle’s characteristic of making the hitting heavier in receive and block play.　

Published in O-KOKU, December 2026 issue / Special feature on knuckle: “Let’s win with knuckle!” ① “This is how I use knuckle!” from top players and coaches

Koki Niwa［CAREERITS AND PARTNERS／left shakehand, two-sided reverse-penhold-style looper］

■Profile　Niwa Koki
Born October 10, 1994, from Hokkaido. Graduated from Meiji University. Won silver in the men's team event at the 2016 Rio Olympics and bronze in the men's team event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Knuckle is mainly used on service. It keeps the opponent from using spin and reduces the power of the Chiquita

　For me, there are broadly two ways to use knuckle on service. One is to keep the opponent from using spin on the receive, and the other is to counter the Chiquita.

　Depending on the opponent’s style and level, if you serve with a lot of spin, they may use that spin on a Stop shot or Push, which makes your third ball difficult.