(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) TeamUSA had solid showings in their losses to Romania and France.  Both teams were seeded higher, and the scores were 8-5 (with TeamUSA reaching fifth match).  TeamUSA also topped Australia 8-0, so after the first day, the Americans are 1-2 with Japan left to play. Puerto Rico had a big […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) TeamUSA fell in their opening match against Romania, in early action at the ITTF Mixed Team World Cup in Sichuan Gymnasium in Chengdu, China.  With a unique scoring system where there are five matches and each pairing plays three games only.  The first team to score 8 points wins – […]

(by Steve Hopkins) With all teams having played 13 matches, its Carolina Gold Rush in first place in the East, and the Bay Area Blasters in first in the West.  Each team is two wins ahead of the closest competitor.  The Carolina Gold Rush are 11-2 and second place in the East is the Florida […]

(by Steve Hopkins) The ITTF World Youth Championships finished this week in Nova Gorica, Slovenia.  The Boys U19 title went to Lin Shidong – at the end of a dominant performance including five wins.  Shidong was a strong favorite in the tournament, as he has already risen to No. 9 in the adult rankings.  Lin […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Central Ohio is home to Spin & Smash.  Its a table tennis club that is part ping pong social club and part table tennis training center.  The club is open every day – at least 12 hours every day except for Sunday (which is open with shorter hours).  In addition to regular club events, […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) A week ago, 35 year old Steffen Mengel surprised the field for his first tour win at the WTT Feeder series win in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.  This week, Mengel returned to Germany for another WTT Feeder event (in Dusseldorf), and the result was the same – two wins […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) In this Mixed Team event, both Men and Women play on the same squad.  There is room for a minimum of three of each gender participating – and depending upon how each team allocates their doubles matches you could have four of each gender play in a given team match.  […]

(by Steve Hopkins) The highest ranked juniors in the world have descended on Slovenia for the ITTF World Youth Championships.  TeamUSA has arrived in force to battle the world’s best.  The tournament began today with Team Events. Singles and Doubles will be played later in the week, with the Final matches scheduled for Sunday December 3. […]

(by Steve Hopkins) The Texas Table Tennis Club (“TTT”) has about 50-60 regular members, as well as a number of premium memberships for business people.  One emphasis of the club is on professional coaching for elite players and juniors in the greater Houston area.  In 2016, the Texas Table Tennis was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) There was a competitive draw in place this week at the WTT Feeder Series event in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.  Freitas and Kao and Geraldo and Karlsson were the top four seeds, but only Marcos Freitas reached the Final Four.  In fact, the biggest prize didn’t go to a […]