(by Steve Hopkins, photo FISU)

Germany is the host of the 2025 FISU World University Games this Summer with 8500 student-athletes from over 100 countries competing in 18 sports.  Americans are among those competing in the seven table tennis events.  The US contingent includes Ved Sheth, Sid Naresh, Kai Zarehbin, Ryan Wu, Joanna Sung, Emily Tan, Angie Tan, and Anastasia Wang.

The Men’s Team and Women’s Team events have already concluded.  Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles are underway, and Singles events will be held later this week.  In early action, the Men’s Team lost in the Round of 16 to Belgium 0-3 and the Women’s Team lost in the Round of 16 to Thailand 1-3 (with Angie Tan logging the lone win over Nanapat Kola 3-1).    The surprise winner of the Men’s Team event was Taipei with a 3-2 win over China.  Feng Yi-hsin was the anchor for Taipei, he is a 22 year old improving player for Taipei with wins in the last year on the WTT tour over Liam Pitchford and Daniel Habesohn.  In the University games, he won both of his singles matches, and Huang Yan-Cheng added a win to give Taipei the three wins needed.  China fell just short in the Women’s team event as well – falling to Japan 3-2.  Kyoka Idesawa won two matches and Kotomi Omoda added the third win to defeat China.

American pairs logged wins in the Round of 64 of the Mixed Doubles event.  Sid Naresh and Angie Tan defeated a German team 3-1, and Ved Sheth and Emily Tan topped a team from the Netherlands 3-1.  Both teams are scheduled to play Monday in the Round of 32.

Lots of action on tap this week with Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, Men’s Singles, and Women’s Singles all yet to begin.

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