Site Products

Kanak Wins in Dusseldorf

(by Steve Hopkins)

Kanak Jha has won the WTT Feeder Series event in Dusseldorf .  Jha continues to log matches in his comeback as he eyes a May event that provides one of the few remaining opportunities to qualify for the Olympics.

Without a current World Ranking, Jha entered unseeded, but defeated Rassenfosse, Sareen, Shinozuka, Feng, and Kang on his path to the Final (in order that includes wins over World Nos. 124, 45, 73, 72, and 136).  His Finals matchup was against the explosive Korean An Jaehyun (World No. 43).

Jaehyun is a free-swinging attacker on his forehand and more careful on the backhand.  His play internationally has been inconsistent, logging big wins (defeating Harimoto and Franziska for instance), but dropping matches to players below him.  For Jha, he seemed comfortable pushing the ball deep to Jaehyun’s backhand side and daring him to step around for the big forehand out of position – or otherwise to force backhand to backhand exchanges.  Jha won the first game, fell behind early in each of the next two (losses), and then came from behind for the 3-2 win.

This is a big step for Jha, who was as high as No. 20 in the world before the layoff.  He will be playing next month in a final qualifier for this hemisphere, and the level of competition should be similar to that on display here in Dusseldorf today.  Burgos from Chile is World No. 54, Pereira in Cuba is World No. 59, Brian Afanador in Puerto Rico is World No. 75, Mino in Ecuador is World No. 85, etc.  Kanak Jha (and the second US competitor Nikhil Kumar) will need to finish in the Top 4 to punch their tickets to the Olympics.  Kanak’s path to Paris is a performance next month in Lima that matches his performance this week in Dusseldorf.

Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.

 

*Link to the Finals (as long as it is active).

Latest News

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers are Finished and the Main Draw Begins Today

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Americans made waves in the qualifying rounds of the United States Smash, the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

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.