Vladimir Samsonov & Hou Ying Chao Compete at 2016 Butterfly LA Open

by Barbara Wei

2016 Rio Olympic Semifinalist Vladimir Samsonov and Former World Top 10 Hou Ying Chao
Compete at 2016 Butterfly Los Angeles Open.

15 events, $36,000 in prize money, 2,000+ spectators and one of the most energetic table tennis competitions in the US begins this weekend in Los Angeles, California. The 6^th annual Los Angeles Open features two super star international players in addition to a deep field of US players, player-coaches and practice partners.

Admired as one of the legends of table tennis, 41 year old Vladimir Samsonov (Belarus WR#9) had an amazing run at this year’s 2016 Rio Olympic games, defeating Dmitri Ovtcharov en-route to the semi-finals before finally succumbing to eventual runner up Zhang Jike from China. Known for his phenomenal all-around style, Samsonov has been a major player on the international table tennis circuit since 1996 and continues to hit new career bests year after year. With a table tennis resume boasting such accomplishments as former world rank #1, runner-up in two world championships (1996, 2007) and three time world cup singles champion (1999, 2001, 2009), Samsonov will be looking to add 2016 LA Open champion to his list of accomplishments.

Challenging Samsonov will be 2015 Butterfly Los Angeles Open champion Hou Ying Chao from China, who ousted 2012 Olympic silver medalist and modern defensive specialist Joo SaeHyuk last year. Known for his very unique forehand counterloop and variable short pip backhand chopping, Hou Ying Chao was a fan favorite and is looking to repeat his championship title this year.

The 2016 Butterfly Los Angeles Open will take place September 3^rd and 4^th at the Los Angeles Badminton Club (10410 Valley Blvd, El Monte, CA 91731) with the first events starting at 8:30 a.m. and the Open Singles finals to take place Sunday late afternoon to evening.

Continual coverage of the LA Open and stories about the athletes will be available at ButterflyOnline.com, or via Butterfly North America’s Twitter and Facebook pages.