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WTT Contender Rio: Falck Wins Nailbiter of a Final

August 13, 2023

(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTF’s Remy Gros) There were several neat story lines to follow in Rio this week at the WTT Contender series event. The biggest early story was that Brazilian Hugo Calderano flamed out in the first round, losing to Korea’s Cho Seungmin. Another story was bad news for Germany, as despite holding […]

Butterfly Training Tips with Anav Gupta – Two Backhands Loops Two Forehand Loops

August 13, 2023

(by: Stephanie Sun) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Anav Gupta is playing Two Backhand Loop and Two Forehand Loops. Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more

Sandpaper Open at the US Classic Nationals

August 12, 2023

(by Larry Hodges) Before we get to the last event of the US Classic Nationals, the Sandpaper Open, let’s take a moment to thank those who helped put the event together. · Special thanks goes to Tournament Director Steve Claflin, who put it all together. · Umpire Ning Cheng worked long hours, umpiring all the […]

Hardbat Women, Seniors, and Juniors at the US Classic Nationals

August 12, 2023

(by Larry Hodges) PHOTO: Action at the Austin Table Tennis Club, host of the 2023 US Classic Nationals. Junior Champion Bryce Milford on near right. Photo by Larry Hodges. Along with Hardbat and Sandpaper Open events here at the Classic Nationals at the Austin Table Tennis Club, there were three other events – Women, Seniors […]

Hardbat Open at the Classic Nationals

August 12, 2023

(by Larry Hodges) Twenty-five players took the plunge and played in the Hardbat Open event. With top-seeded Jimmy Butler seeded out, there were four groups of six, with the top two advancing. In the round robins, matches were best of five to 11. In the single elimination stage, it switched to best of three to […]

Sara Gulabani: the Batgirl and Batwoman of Hardbat

August 12, 2023

(by Larry Hodges) In an earlier article, I called AJ Carney and student Bryce Milford the Batman and Robin of table tennis. But AJ has another student, and she’s doubled-up on both – she’s Batgirl AND Batwoman! Sara Gulabani, 17, easily won Hardbat Women here at the Classic Nationals at the host Austin Table Tennis […]

WTT Contender Rio: 16-year-old Matsushima Reaches Final 4

August 12, 2023

(by Steve Hopkins) Seven players in the World Top 25 signed in to play in the WTT Contender series event in Rio de Janeiro. That included Brazilian Hugo Calderano as the top seed and favorite, as well as Jang Woojin of Korea, Germany’s top three players (Ovtcharov, Franziska, and Qiu), Sweden’s Mattias Falck (who is […]

Jian Zhuang – From Penhold to Shakehand to Champion

August 12, 2023

(by Larry Hodges, Photo Credit: Steve Claflin) Jian Zhuang, 65, started playing table tennis in Shanghai, China. He played in school and through college, but said he never really trained seriously at that time. In 1988 he came to the US as a graduate exchange student in electrical engineering. He spent about 25 years as […]

Bryce Milford – Going After Batman

August 12, 2023

(by Larry Hodges) With a name like Bryce – you know, that superfast sponge from Butterfly – you’d think he’d be an all-out looper, like the overwhelming majority of top players. But no – he never loops, he just hits. And he’s the US Nationals and World Junior Champion. With hardbat that is. Yes, Bryce […]

Hardbat Clinic at the Classic Nationals

August 12, 2023

(by Larry Hodges, Photo Credit: Steve Claflin) On Friday night, Aug. 11, I ran a free hardbat clinic for players here at the Classic Table Tennis Nationals at the Austin TTC, Aug. 11-12. Twelve players participated. Cesar Serna assisted as my practice partner – he’s seeded #6 here in Open Hardbat with a 2201 hardbat […]