(by Steve Hopkins) The PongNow interview series discusses table tennis with some of the best players and personalities in the sport. In this edition we have, Dell Sweeris, Connie Sweeris, David Sakai, and Donna Sakai discussing their overlapping histories in the sport. They were each strong junior players, each had a successful and notable career, […]
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OPEN DOORS: Rhode Island Table Tennis Reopens
(by Steve Hopkins) The State of Rhode Island started a new COVID-19 recovery phase on June 1 allowing gyms and sports venues to open with new regulations in place for reporting, operation, cleaning, and social distancing. The Rhode Island Club will be opening beginning on June 8. Initially the club will be open for three […]
Have You Missed the Interviews? Catch Up Here.
Steve Hopkins’ PongNow Interview Series started on May 2nd. There are now six posted interviews in the series and more coming soon. As the intro notes, the purpose of the interview series is to discuss table tennis with some of the best players and personalities in the sport. So far, those interviewed include Sean O’Neill, […]
BUTTERFLY FAVORITES: Timo Boll v. Ma Long 2017 World Cup
(by Steve Hopkins) This is a Butterfly Favorite. To set the stage, World No. 1 Ma Long entered the tournament as the top seed. Timo Boll was not the top European qualifier – that honor went to Dimitrij Ovtcharov. In fact, at the European Top 16 qualifying event, Shibaev had finished second and Gauzy had […]
Unveiled Smashfest: NHL’s Brad Marchand and Mitchell Marner Design Pong Tables
(by Steve Hopkins) “Unveiled: Smashfest” debuts on Tuesday June 2nd at 6:30p (EDT) on NBCSN. This week, Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand and Toronto Maple Leaves forward Mitchell Marner work with Canadian graffiti artist Alex Bacon to design customized ping pong tables. The host of the show is former NY Rangers player Dominic Moore. Smashfest […]
Open Doors: USATT to Allow Sanctioned Tournaments in July
(by Steve Hopkins) A USA Table Tennis announcement released today allows for the sanctioning of tournaments beginning July 1. This will end the March 13th order that suspended all events – a part of a broader series of suspensions and cancellations across all sports including ITTF and USOPC events. This is welcome news after so […]
Ask The Experts: Di Yu, No. 345
Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer Question: what’s the difference between Timo Boll ALC and Timo Boll ZLC blades? Answer: Your Ask the Experts question was answered by Di Yu. He is a Senior/Elite Coach in Morrisville, NC. Hi Bikash, Timo Boll ALC: It will be better for defensive players because you can feel the ball stay […]
Butterfly Training Tips – Backhand Looping with Coach Ojo (Video)
Ojo Onaolapo is a coach at San Antonio Table Tennis Club. One of Ojo Onaolapo’s standout moment from the early stages of his table tennis career came at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore where he achieved a quarter-finals finish in the Men’s Singles competition before missing out to the eventual champion Koki Niwa. Ojo Onaolapo also […]
Butterfly Buzz: A Tour of the PingPod Facility
(by Steve Hopkins) During a recent interview with Ernesto Jon Ebuen, we were provided a walk-through of the new PingPod facility in New York City. We thought this might make a nice feature on its own, so we have provided a longer version of the tour here. The new facility features custom tables, two walls […]
Coaching Tip Of The Week: Do You Have a Quadruple Threat Receive?
(By Larry Hodges) Many players get used to receiving any given serve the same way, because it’s safer that way. This is especially true against short serves, where many players predictably push everything back long. Others reach in and predictably flip over and over. But this makes things easier for the server, since he knows […]
Yu Di – Backhand Loop from underspin
November 26, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Yu Di is focusing on the Backhand Loop from underspin… Read More
More Weight on the Right Leg
November 24, 2025
Basic exercises: Pushing and powerful first ball attack – Robot plays heavy backspin to long BH, Jhon plays… Read More
Do You Want to Be a Smart Table Tennis Player?
November 24, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) It’s a two-step process. Focus on both steps, and it’ll happen. First, think about the… Read More
Kou Lei – Forehand Looping the Flip
November 24, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kou Lei is working with his student on Forehand Looping… Read More
WAB CLUB FEATURE: Ly Table Tennis Academy
November 23, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The Ly Table Tennis Academy in Montreal has been home to many members of the… Read More
ITTF World Youth Championships: Early Action
November 23, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Today was the first day of action at the ITTF World Youth Championships in… Read More
Felix Wins in Oman
November 23, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Felix Lebrun arrived in Oman as the top seed for the WTT Star Contender… Read More
Geovanni Coello – Skill Development Drills
November 23, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Geovanny Coello is working his student on some Skill Development… Read More
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