Site Products
Bids open for 2018 ITTF World Hopes and Challenge

Bids open for 2018 ITTF World Hopes and Challenge

(by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor)
Bids open for 2018 ITTF World Hopes and Challenge
China’s Zhang Yining, Olympic Games gold medallist, World champion, the winner of no less than 29 ITTF World Tour Women’s Singles titles, more than any other player in the history of the concept that first saw the light of day in 1995; such was the quality of the coaching afforded at the recent ITTF World Hopes and Challenge staged in Luxembourg from Friday 11th to Thursday 17th August.

Not only was arguably the greatest female player who ever lived present; so was Li Xiaodong in the role of head coach. He was the mentor of Ma Long, in the current Olympic and World champion’s teenage days
Now the bidding process, for an event where quite simply the level of knowledge available could not be higher, is open.

In 2018, it will be the eighth staging of an initiative that has grown in stature and provides aspiring young players with a memory of a lifetime; who knows the names of future champions who may progress from the initiative.

However, I would suggest that the ITTF World Hopes and Challenge is more than just an opportunity to improve sporting skills and face the rigours of competitions. It is an education in itself; where else will young 12 years olds have the opportunity to spend seven days with peers from different races, religions and backgrounds?

For full article, please click here

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.