Kong Linghui was born on October 18, 1975 in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. He began to practice playing table tennis at the age of 6 and was selected to the national team six years later.

He claimed men's singles and team title in the 1994 world Junior Table Tennis Championships. In the same year, he was champion of men's team, singles and mixed doubles in the Asian Table Tennis Championships. Kong was also gold medallist of men's team and mixed doubles in the 1994 Asian Games.  

In 1995, Kong established his position in men's table tennis after winning championships in men's team, singles and mixed doubles, teamed with Deng Yaping, in the World Table Tennis Championships held in Tianjin. Several months later, he ranked first in men's singles in the World Cup held in France.

In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Kong paired with Liu Guoliang to win China men's doubles gold. The following year, he was men's team champion, second in mixed doubles, paired with Deng Yaping, and third in men's singles in the World Table Tennis Championships held in Manchester.

Kong Linghui was gold medallist in men' team and men's doubles, paired with Liu Guoliang, and 3rd in men's singles in the 1998 Asian Games.

In the 1999 World Table Tennis Championships held in Holland, Kong ranked first in men's team.

In the 2000 ITTF Grand Prix in Australia, Kong was first in men's doubles, paired with Ma Lin, and 2nd in men's singles.

In 2000 ITTF Grand Prix held in Florida, Kong won championship in men's double, paired with Liu Guoliang.

In the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Kong claimed the gold for China in men's singles and the silver in men's doubles.

Kong's Style: Typical Chinese shakehand, speedy two wing attacks, remarkable tactics.