(by Steve Hopkins) China continues to holds the top three spots with Fan Zhendong safely ahead (7725 points), Ma Long in second (4400), and Wang Chuqin narrowly trailing in third (4345).  The next three spots are Tomokazu Harimoto (3860), Hugo Calderano (3525), and Truls Moregard (3345).   The rest of the top 10 are Liang Jingkun, […]

(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTFWorld) It was a Chinese sweep in Doha, as young Chinese players logged wins in every event at the WTT Feeder Doha 2023 event.  The Feeder events are for players not at the top of the World Rankings (often outside of the World Top 20) – so its a mix of […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Americans made real waves at the World Veterans Championships in Muscan Oman last week.  In particular, two of America’s most recognizable veteran couples managed to bring home medals – Donna and David Sakai, and Connie and Del Sweeris. In Mixed Doubles O75, it was these couples battling in the All-American Final and […]

(by Steve Hopkins) The Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre (“the Centre” or “Elite”) is a table tennis club and training center in Mississauga, Ontario. Mississauga is just to the West of Toronto, about 30 kilometers from the city center.  The facility is just off the Ontario 401 Express, easily accessible to the greater Toronto area. The […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Last week, USATT released a list of 2022 Top 15 Clubs.  USATT described the criteria for their 2022 Club Awards as being based upon hard work and dedication to the sport of table tennis – and noted their desire to recognize the organization’s leading contributors who promote the sport of table tennis […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Hugo Calderano has had a perfect start to 2023 – two WTT events and two wins.  In defense of his competition, Calderano has been the top seed in both events – but in Durban last week and Doha this week, the draw was packed with dangerous players in the Top 50 and […]

(by Steve Hopkins) These Puerto Rico Open invitations/info cards went out this week to WE ARE BUTTERFLY clubs. If you haven’t yet looked at this event, now is the time. $17,000 in prizes.  A 4-Star event.  International teams.  And for those of you in the Northern half of the US (or anywhere in Canada) – […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Brazil’s Hugo Calderano was the top seed, and aside from a tight 3-2 Quarterfinal win over China’s Lin Shidong, her did exactly what he needed to do. Kallberg and Franziska each reached the other Quarterfinal – and it was Kallberg that emerged to face Calderano in the Semis.  Calderano won 3-1 to […]

(by Steve Hopkins) Calderano, Qiu, Franziska, and Aruna are the headliners in Durban this week as the WTT Contender Series opens the New Year in South Africa. Each of those top four seeds has reached the Quarterfinals.  On Saturday, Hugo Calderano will face a 17 year old rising Chinese star, Lin Shidong.  Patrick Franziska will […]