SUZHOU, China, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese table tennis player Zhang Jike's motion of lying on the floor to give way for teammate's ball return flares up recently, triggering wide imitation among fans.

In the men's doubles second round at the Suzhou table tennis worlds, Zhang Jike, twice singles world champion, crouched on the floor to give his teammate Xu Xin a clear way to return the ball on Wednesday.

Zhang's picture was later posted on the ITTF website and the sport governing body lauched "Do The Zhang Jike" on its twitter, which obtained active response worldwide among table tennis fans.

Talking about the gesture, Zhang said he had to do it otherwise the ball would be blocked by his body, jeering himself as a sumotori.