By LEAH WEATHERSBY

Yi Yong Fan is autographing a ping-pong ball - his second in less than 10 minutes. In between carefully preparing his paddle with fresh rubber for an upcoming exhibition game, Fan explains that such requests haven't been unusual since January, when he first started teaching table tennis at Bitter Lake Community Center.

Fan isn't just any ping-pong player, he's currently the top ranked professional player in the United States. Fan says he's lost only lost one match in the last three years.

Originally from China, Fan has spent the last eight years teaching and competing around the world. He left China in 1992 to coach Kuwait's national team and played professionally in Europe for four years from 1994-1998. Fan coached after school table tennis in Portland for a year before moving to Seattle. He continues to play tournaments around the U.S.

"If you're not No. 1, it's hard to get students to come," Fan explains.

Fan and his manager Windsor Olson have high hopes for table tennis in Seattle. Fan has formed a club called Table Tennis N/W. He and Olson would also like to see Seattle host a U.S. table tennis open.

"This would be a big deal," Olson said. "There would be hundreds of people coming from all over the world."

Of course, if table tennis is to grow in Seattle, new, interested players will have to begin training today. Fan says he has two child students right now, but hopes for more.

For those interested in athletics, Olson points about the fast speed and hand-eye coordination needed in ping-pong can be useful in almost any sport.

"Most of your professional sports players practice table tennis," Olson said, "it tunes them up."

Yi Yong Fan teaches table tennis at Bitter Lake Community Center Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Wednesdays, 2:30-6 p.m., Thursdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Fridays, 5-9 p.m. and Saturdays, 2:30-5:30 p.m. The center is located at 13035 Linden Ave. N. For more information call 684-7524. (