WTT Middle East Hub – Main Draw is Set

March 2, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The first ITTF event of 2021 is officially underway in Doha, and the 8 qualifiers have been decided. Levenko, Sirucek, Bobocica, Morizono, Alamiyan, Habesohn, Cho, and Geraldo have advanced to join the top 16 seeds in the Main Draw. And, just like the past two days, some of the qualifiers best known […]

WTT Middle East Hub – Contender Event Qualifiers

March 1, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The first ITTF event of 2021 is officially underway in Doha, Qatar. The “Middle East Hub” is a series of four events that begin with the WTT Contender Event this week, then the WTT Star Contender Event on March 5, then the World Singles Qualification Tournament on March 14, and finally the […]

Welsh Junior to Talk Climate with President Biden

February 27, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins, photo from prideofsportawards) At age 14, Welsh junior table tennis champion, Anna Hursey, is already making international waves. She was recognized last year by the UN last year as a Young Champion and included in the UN Climate Change initiative that uses sport to help get the message out. Hursey speaks English […]

Butterfly Favorite – PongNow: David Zhuang

February 26, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) This installment of the PongNow interview series was originally posted last September. This edition features David Zhuang, one of the most decorated American table tennis players of a generation. He is an Olympian, a 6-time National Champion, and a Hall of Fame Member. David’s club is featured this week at ButterflyOnline.com – WAB […]

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Princeton Pong

February 26, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) Princeton Pong’s 10,000 square foot table tennis facility is in Princeton Junction, New Jersey. They are located between Philadelphia and New York City – centered in one of the largest population centers in the United States. The elite facility features 14 professional tables, custom sport flooring, high ceilings, great lighting, a player’s […]

WTT’s Doha Event Rosters Suffer Due to COVID-19

February 24, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The first ITTF events of 2021 are slated to start this week in Doha. The “Middle East Hub” is a series of four events that begin with the WTT Contender Event on February 28, then the WTT Star Contender Event on March 5, then the World Singles Qualification Tournament on March 14, […]

German League: Regular Season Finale Preview

February 23, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The top three positions are locked up with Borussia Dusseldorf entering the 4-team playoff as the top seed, and Saarbrucken and Ochsenhausen will be matched up against each other as second and third seeds – though it is not yet certain which team will be the higher seed. The fourth seed remains […]

WAB Club Feature: Jung Table Tennis Club

February 21, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The Jung Table Tennis Club in Los Angeles is named for its founder and head coach, Sung-Soo Jung. Jung is a certified National Coach whose distinguished playing career includes a long list of singles and doubles championships in the 1970s and 80s. The club has an emphasis on coaching with Coach Jung […]

German League: Battle for the Final Playoff Spot

February 21, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) After a busy final regular season in Germany, the top three positions are locked up with Borussia Dusseldorf entering the 4-team playoff as the top seed, and Saarbrucken and Ochsenhausen matched up against each other as second and third seeds. Ochsenhausen will play Bergneustadt for their final match of the season later […]

BUTTERFLY FAVORITE: Lin Yun-Ju

February 18, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) Lin Yun-Ju continues to move up the ratings list. Just three years ago, he was outside of the top 100, but the 21 year old is now firmly in the World’s Top 10. The Taiwanese player is a great combination of strength and quickness – and he has proven he can compete with […]