Practice Until You Can’t Do It Wrong

August 12, 2024

(by Larry Hodges) There’s a common saying in high-level sports: “Don’t practice until you do it right. Practice until you can’t do it wrong.” This is another way of saying ingrain the fundamentals. You can never practice the fundamentals too much as that’s how you make it so you can’t do it wrong. Far too […]

Questions with Jenson Van Emburgh Before Heading Out to Paris

August 12, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) Thanks for taking a few minutes to chat with us, Jenson. We’re looking forward to seeing you take on the world’s best at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. *The opening ceremony begins on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, and the Games conclude on Sunday, September 8, 2024. What does representing your country […]

WAB CLUB FEATURE: My Table Tennis Club

August 11, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) If you are looking for a quality table tennis environment in the Toronto area, My Table Tennis Club (MyTTC) has you covered. They have campus locations in is Markham (just North of the City), in Mississauga (to the Southwest), and in Kitchener (a Suburb to the West). The Markham headquarters is 9,000 square […]

The Slow, Spinny Loop

August 5, 2024

(by Larry Hodges) “It’s an unreturnable shot,” said US Team Member Perry Schwartzberg many years ago after failing repeatedly to block, hit, or counterloop against fellow team member Ricky Seemiller’s slow, spinny loop. World #3 Mikael Appelgren had a similar problem against Ricky, losing to him when the world’s best counterlooper couldn’t counterloop Ricky’s spinny […]

Triomphe: Champions Crowned in Paris

August 4, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) As the sun sets this Sunday, at the end of the first week of the Paris Games, there are a number of great Week 1 table tennis story lines on which to reflect. USA’s Kanak Jha was the first American male to reach the Round of 16 in Olympic singles, and USA’s […]

WAB CLUB FEATURE: MK Georgia Table Tennis

August 4, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) MK Georgia Table Tennis is a fully air-conditioned facility that features 8 professional tables, professional quality red rubber flooring, high ceilings, a practice robot, customized high intensity lighting, and spectator seating. The club is a great location for competition, fun, or training. The club name (“MK” Georgia Table Tennis) comes from the director […]

A Paddle in Pieces – Among Leading Stories in Paris

July 31, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) On Tuesday, World No. 1 Wang Chuqin and his mixed doubles partner Sun Yingsha were on top of the world celebrating their Gold Medal. The aftermath of that win has led to one of the leading stories of the Games thus far. Apparently as the crowd of photographers pushed in to get […]

Final 16 Face Off in Paris: USA Still Alive in Mens and Womens Singles

July 31, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) A major upset rocked the Round of 32 this morning when Truls Moregard upended World No. 1 Wang Chuqin 4-2. The momentum of their match had several swings, but Moregard managed to win both of the close games and that was the difference (12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6). Moregard now slots […]

Lily Zhang into the Sweet 16

July 31, 2024

(by Steve Hopkins) Lily Zhang won her match on Monday to advance to the Round of 16 in Paris. Her hard-fought win over Bruna Takahashi (World No. 20) was her first time topping the Brazilian star. The match score was 4-2: 8, 7, -9, -8, 8, 8. Next up for Lily is Shin Yubin of […]

Strategy Requires Thought. Tactics Requires Observation.

July 29, 2024

(by Larry Hodges) The title is a quote from the famous Danish chess champion Max Euwe (pronounced “oo-vay”). What does it mean and how does it apply to table tennis? It comes down to knowing the difference between strategic and tactical thinking. The words “strategy” and “tactics” (and variations such as “strategic” and “tactical”) are […]