The seeding for the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships has been released by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) with reigning World Champions MA Long (CHN) & DING Ning (CHN) heading the seeding at the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships to be held from 29 May – 05 June 2017 in Düsseldorf Germany. World & Olympic Champion MA who has swept several major international titles since his victory at the Qoros 2015 World Championships will have his eyes set on defending his Men’s Singles title. MA will have to fend off competition not only from his teammates FAN Zhendong XU Xin & ZHANG Jike who are seeded two to four accordingly but also local favorites Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) & Timo BOLL (GER) who will be aiming to put up their best performance to thrill their local fans & get their hands on the medals. Having suffered from surprise defeats early during the 2013 & 2015 World Championships OVTCHAROV is determined not to let history repeat itself on home soil. The fifth seed shared “I want to just play my best table tennis that I was not capable of at the last two World Championships and if I can achieve this goal I believe I’m tough to beat and can come far in the tournament. For this I’m working hard.” Other contenders for the Men’s Singles throne include Rio 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist Jun MIZUTANI & table tennis legend Vladimir SAMSONOV (BLR) seeded six & 12 respectively aiming to end the Chinese dominance at the World Championships. For the Women’s Singles top seeded DING is looking to defending her crown to claim her third World Championship title while second seeded LIU Shiwen (CHN) who lost the dramatic Women’s Singles final to DING in 2015 to settle for Silver will be determined to avenge her bitter loss & claim the title. ZHU Yuling (CHN) Singapore’s FENG Tianwei CHEN Meng (CHN) and Japan’s Kasumi ISHIKAWA filled the remaining places in the top six contending for the Women’s Singles crown. All eyes are set on Japanese sensation Miu HIRANO in Düsseldorf after the 17-year-old upset DING & her compatriots ZHU & CHEN at the Asian Championships last month to end the Chinese winning streak since 1996. “I felt very good at the Asian Championships especially physically the victory also gave me more confidence for the upcoming World Championships where I’m aiming for a medal in both the Singles & the Doubles event with Kasumi ISHIKAWA. Since I won the Asian Championships I hope my good form will continue in Düsseldorf to aim for another Gold ” stated HIRANO who is seeded eighth at the World Championships. Japanese pair Masataka MORIZONO & Yuya OSHIMA and mixed associations pair Matilda EKHOLM (SWE) & Georgina POTA (HUN) have had a good run claiming titles on the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour and will head the seeding in the Men’s Doubles & Women’s Doubles events respectively. 2015 Mixed Doubles World Champion YANG Haeun will also join forces with compatriot LEE Sangsu to charge for the Mixed Doubles Gold as the top seeds. The Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships will see 613 players from 108 countries making their trip to Düsseldorf to fight for the five titles up for grabs in Germany: Men’s Singles Women’s Singles Men’s Doubles Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Qualification for the singles main draw of 128 will start on 29 May 2017 with the main draw starting 31 May. The Women’s champion will be crowned on 4 June and the Men’s on 5 June. Quick Links: Information News & Articles: http://www.ittf.com/tournament/2705/ Full Seeding: http://bit.ly/2pESziu
ITTF Announces 2018 ITTF World Tour Calendar
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is excited to announce the 12 cities that will host the 2018 ITTF World Tour events. The 2018 is set to be the biggest in history with more prize money more fan engagement and a better TV spectacle for the world wide TV audience. On the announcement ITTF Director of Competitions Karl JINDRAK stated: “In 2017 we relaunched the ITTF World Tour with a new logo new branding new competition structure and better conditions for the players. This has resulted in record prize money for 2017 and we hope to break this record again in 2018 and to keep moving the ITTF World Tour forward to make it the best product possible for our players fans and members.” The 2018 World Tour will be split into two tiers six ITTF World Tour Platinum events which is the new top tier of the World Tour and six regular ITTF World Tour events. The six ITTF World Tour Platinum events will have higher prize money and be of a higher level organisation which will ensure the attendance of the world’s best players resulting in more international exposure for the hosts. The six cities that have won the rights to host a 2018 ITTF World Tour Platinum event are: Doha Qatar: 8-11 March 2018 Bremen Germany 23-25 March 2018 Shenzhen China: 31 May – 3 June 2018 Incheon Korea: 19-22 July 2018 Linz Austria: 4-7 October 2018 Gold Coast Australia: 8-11 November 2018 The regular ITTF World Tour events are: Budapest Hungary: 18-21 January 2018 Hong Kong: 24-27 May 2018 Fukuoka Japan: 7-10 June 2018 Panagyurishte Bulgaria: 16-19 August 2018 Olomouc Czech Republic: 23-26 August 2018 Stockholm Sweden: 1-4 November 2018 Korea moves back up to the top World Tour tier for the first time after missing out last year and replacing Japan who moves down a tier. Hong Kong is back hosting a World Tour event for the first time since 2006 where it was home to the 2006 World Tour Grand Finals. The 12 events all offer World Tour Standings points which will be used to determine the top 16 players who will qualify for the World Tour Grand Finals to be held from 13-16 December 2018 in a location to be determined. Bidding for the 2018 ITTF Challenge Series is now open for countries and cities to bid for the lower tiers ITTF Tour events: https://www.ittfchallengeseries.com/. 2018 World Tour Full Calendar: http://bit.ly/2pLYjYF
Bursa and La Romagne are crowned champions of ETTU Cup
Bursa beat Ankara 3:2 in the returning final leg of ETTU Cup Women whilst La Romagne defeated Angers 3:1 Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor and Stella Sport La Romagne are the crowned champions of ETTU Cup. Two Turkish clubs met in the Women`s final as Bursa defeated Tigem SC Ankara with a 6:2 in aggregate score. Tonight HU Melek & Company won 3:2 to secure very first ETTU Cup title in the club`s history. Stella Sport La Romagne prevailed against 2012 runner-up Vaillante Sports Angers TT in the all-French final. Seven days ago La Romagne secured huge advantage (3:0) whilst tonight they won 3:1 thanks to two points of WEI Shihao. This is the very first trophy for La Romagne and first title for one French club since Chartres overcame Levallois in the 2010/11 all-French final. ETTU Cup came to Turkey for the 3rd time. Fenerbahce has won this cup in 2012 and 2013 Bursa BSB was the runner-up in 2016’s final event. The 2016/17 ETTU Cup Women final 2nd leg Bursa Buyuksehir Belediyespor – Tigem SC Ankara 3:2 (1st leg 3:0) Aleksandra PRIVALOVA – Zoia NOVIKOVA 2:3 (11:13 12:10 7:11 11:8 5:11) HU Melek – Cristina HIRICI 3:1 (9:11 11:4 11:4 11:7) Simay KULAKCEKEN – Duygu KOCAK 3:0 (11:1 11:2 11:5) Aleksandra PRIVALOVA – Cristina HIRICI 0:3 w.o. HU Melek – Zoia NOVIKOVA 3:0 (11:8 11:5 11:6) The 2016/17 ETTU Cup Men final 2nd leg Vaillante Sports Angers TT – Stella Sport La Romagne 1:3 (1st leg 0:3) Jens LUNDQVIST – CHEN Tian Yuan 1:3 (9:11 11:13 11:7 9:11) Emmanuel LEBESSON – WEI Shihao 0:3 (9:11 13:15 4:11) Jon PERSSON – Adrian CRISAN 3:2 (5:11 11:7 12:10 4:11 11:5) Christophe LEGOUT – WEI Shihao 0:3 (9:11 7:11 9:11)
Berlin continues its reign in the ECLW
Second leg of the 2016/17 ECLW final: Berlin – Tarnobrzeg 3:1 (1st leg 2:3). SHAN Xiaona secured two point against LI Qian and HAN Ying TTC Berlin Eastside continues as ECLW champion thanks to 3:1 win against KTS Sairka ZOT Tarnobrzeg in the returning final game held tonight in Berlin. These two teams met in the 2015/16 final when German side won with a 6-2 in aggregate score. Polish champion won first game 3:2 five days ago when LI Qian took two points. But tonight SHAN Xiaona got revenge on her in the opening clash. Moreover host dominated all the time starting each set with huge advantage: 7:1 in 1st 6:1 in 2nd 7:0 in 3rd. LI had no solutions for vigorous attacks of SHAN. HAN Ying leveled the score as she defeated again Petrissa SOLJA. It was the copy of their clash in Poland when HAN won in straight games. After 9:9 in the opening set SOLJA won just five points in the rest of the game. Georgina POTA repeated her score (3:0) against Viktoria PAVLOVICH winning once again in straight games. Host concluded the clash by seven consecutive points (4:4 11:4) to seal her best ever ECLW season with 11-1 individual score. SHAN and HAN were again required to play fourth match and again Berlin`s best player was better. It was culmination of entire season with several breathtaking moments. Guest started convincingly winning easily first set but missed huge opportunity in the second one: SHAN played very brave faced with her two set balls and reversed the score from 8:10 to 12:10. HAN didn’t let SHAN easy points. She was faced with two-point deficit in the late fourth game (6:8) but won it thanks to her amazing defensive skills. Ultimate chapter belonged to SHAN who showed nice variety of attacks pushing guest away from the table. Host made a crucial step forward when she took three consecutive points in late fifth set (6:3 9:3). Berlin won its fourth title in last six seasons: 2012 2014 2016 2017. Irina PALINA`s side became just second club who managed to win back-to-back titles after Sterilgarda Castelgoffredo did it in 2006 and 2007. The 2016/17 ECLW final 2nd leg TTC Berlin Eastside – KTS Sairka ZOT Tarnobrzeg 3:1 (1st leg 2:3) SHAN Xiaona – LI Qian 3:0 (11:8 11:5 11:2) Petrissa SOLJA– HAN Ying 0:3 (9:11 1:11 4:11) Georgina POTA – Viktoria PAVLOVICH 3:0 (11:7 11:6 11:4) SHAN Xiaona – HAN Ying 3:2 (5:11 12:10 11:6 9:11 11:4)
Fakel Gazprom Orenburg takes its fourth TTCLM title
Returning final leg of 2016/17 TTCLM: Orenburg – Borussia 3:2 (1st leg 3:0). ETTU President Ronald KRAMER handed over gold medals and the trophy to the winning side Fakel Gazprom Orenburg concluded the 2016/17 Table Tennis Champions League Men season by its new victory against Borussia Dusseldorf this time 3:2 (1st leg 3:0). Like both sides agreed before the returning leg champion was decided five days ago in Germany when top seed secured huge advantage leaving just three sets to their opponents. ETTU President Ronald KRAMER handed over gold medals and the trophy to the winning side. Orenburg has played its sixth TTCLM final in the last seven seasons winning its fourth title (2012 2013 2015 2017). Russian club is the second best in the 21st century after five times winner Royal Villette Charleroi. Borussia stands on the top of the all-time list with 10 titles. The champion was decided in the opening clash when Dimitrij OVTCHAROV defeated Kristian KARLSSON in four games. It was really exciting duel full of nice rallies and strokes from both sides. Swede had a set ball to level the score at 2-2 but host responded by three points in a row. Ultimate point was no doubt one of the most beautiful points in the entire season as both showed amazing body language in long exchange. Two great left-handers met in the second game as Jun MIZUTANI beat Timo BOLL in straight games. In spite of lacking importance this encounter had many beautiful exchanges. Rising star from Sweden Anton KALLBERG managed to beat Vladimir SAMSONOV after full five games with latest one taken by narrow margin. Borussia`s newcomer inscribed one of the biggest victories in his career so far. The 19-year-old is more than double younger than “Mr. TTCLM”. Stefan FEGERL was extended to full distance by Alexey SMIRNOV to level the score at 2-2. Unique undefeated player in this TTCLM edition Jun MIZUTANI had the last word in this season. World No. 6 and 2016 Rio Olympic bronze madalist beat Kristian KARLSSON in straight games deserving to be emphasized as player of the year. Japanese finished season with 16-0 individual score. The 2016/17 TTCLM final 2nd leg Fakel Gazprom Orenburg – Borussia Dusseldorf 3:2 (1st leg 3:0) Dimitrij OVTCHAROV – Kristian KARLSSON 3:1 (11:9 9:11 11:8 12:10) Jun MIZUTANI – Timo BOLL 3:0 (11:7 11:5 11:8) Vladimir SAMSONOV – Anton KALLBERG 2:3 (11:6 8:11 11:2 4:11 12:14) Alexey SMIRNOV – Stefan FEGERL 2:3 (10:12 11:5 8:11 11:7 9:11) Jun MIZUTANI – Kristian KARLSSON 3:0 (11:7 11:9 11:5)
ITTF Completes Full House of 226 Member Associations
ITTF welcomes Guinea Bissau as its 226th member association The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has become the first International Federation to achieve a full house of 226 National Associations after the last & final missing piece on the ITTF world map Guinea Bissau Table Tennis Federation was accepted on 6 May 2017. This feat means that table tennis has reached all possible countries and territories and built its presence in all corners of the globe. ITTF President Mr. Thomas WEIKERT was present at the ceremony in Guinea Bissau to give the official welcome into the ITTF family and handed over the ITTF flag to the elected President of the association Ms. Avelina JANDI. He also met the President of the National Olympic Committee Sergio MANÉ and State Secretary for Youth Culture and Sport Tomas BARBOSA. Watch the video of the celebrations in Guinea Bissau: https://youtu.be/1fDFlLDofeI. “For the ITTF and for myself our small associations have been a clear priority for many years thanks to the dedicated work of the ITTF Development Department. Our focus must now be the empowerment of our smallest and most recent members and through our ITTF Marketing Department have secured the support of Seamaster to achieve this ” shared Mr. WEIKERT at the ceremony. Celebrating and assisting over 70 children at the ceremony getting in touch with table tennis for the very first time he added “I am very glad to having the possibility to see with my own eyes the situation of an Association starting from zero. This allows me a better understanding of the reality of this type of Associations. Bringing Table Tennis to all parts of the world was a priority for the ITTF and I am really happy to see this process ended but we have to be aware that the challenges don’t end here but rather change the priority into empowering. This will be done with education a key word for the development by implementing Administration Courses to all National Associations who wants to take part and promoting healthy sustainable and autonomous members.” Upon receiving the ITTF flag from Mr. WEIKERT Ms JANDI stated “It is an honour for me to have received Thomas WEIKERT and Leandro OLVECH in Guinea Bissau. I am highly committed to implementing Table Tennis throughout the country and would like to express my gratitude towards the support received from the ITTF the National Olympic Committee and the State Secretary for Youth Culture and Sport.”
Youngsters learn from the best in Porto
Second Eurotalents Development Camp The second Eurotalents Development Camp started in Portuguese National Training Center in Porto. By the end of the week players will work with coaches Fernando MALHEIRO GUO Ping Ricardo OLIVEIRA Antonio RATO and fitness coach Pedro OLIVEIRA. “We also have the support from the Portugal’s sparing partners and young players will have the opportunity to talk with top player Marcos FREITAS ” announced ETTU Development Manager Neven Cegnar.
TTCLM final 2nd leg: Mission impossible for Borussia
This Friday (May 12th 14:00 CET live on LAOLA1.tv) Orenburg hosts Borussia with 3:0 advantage from the first game Returning final game of the 2016/17 Table Tennis Champions League Men will take place this Friday in Russia (May 12th 14:00 CET live on LAOLA1.tv) as Fakel Gazprom Orenburg host Borussia Dusseldorf. Bearing in mind 1st leg and 3:0 (9:3) victory of Russian side it`s obvious that German champion and ten times TTCLM winner faces “mission impossible”. Borussia`s manager Andreas PREUSS stressed that his side has just one percent of chances… “Congratulation to Orenburg it was a strong performance we will try our best next Friday but our chances to win the title are only one percent…” Opening game was decisive for the such big win for three times TTCLM winner and actual No.1 seed as Dimitrij OVTCHAROV overcame his team mate from the German National Team Timo BOLL after full five games. In the next two encounters Jun MIZUTANI and Vladimir SAMSONOV defeated Stefan FEGERL and Kristian KARLSSON respectively. “Little bit disappointed about the 0:3. First match was very unfortunate. After we had no chance. Orenburg was too strong and now it is very hard to play in Orenburg. But we will try our best” stated Borussia`s coach Danny HEISTER. Valery SALABAEV coach of the top seeded club of 2016/17 TTCLM motivates his players to win one more game in spite of having big advantage against No. 2 seed. “We are very pleased with the result of the first final match in Germany. Each player showed his best. We do not forget for a second that the winner is determined by the sum of two matches. We are again in the mood to fight and we will prepare very seriously for the return match in Orenburg” said SALABAEV.
Al-Mohannadi Withdraws from the ITTF Presidential Race
Qatar’s Khalil AL-MOHANNADI has withdrawn his nomination for the ITTF Presidency and has announced that he will run for the position of ITTF Executive Vice President at the ITTF elections to be held on 31 May 2017 in Dusseldorf Germany. AL-MOHANNADI who is the current Qatar Table Tennis Association President Arab Table Tennis Federation President and ITTF Deputy President explained why he took this decision: “I would like to thank all the National Associations who contacted me to support my nomination to become the ITTF President on the back of my dedication to table tennis through a number of high level positions since 1995.” “After long discussions with my friends and most importantly my family even though I believe I had a strong chance of winning the election I have decided to run for a position on the ITTF Executive Committee.” AL-MOHANNADI’s withdrawal means that the race to become the ITTF President will be between the current ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT from Germany and Belgium’s Jean-Michel SAIVE. “I respect both the nominations of Thomas WEIKERT and Jean-Michel SAIVE to become the ITTF President ” continued AL-MOHANNADI. “However I have decided to support Thomas WEIKERT’s candidacy for the Presidency. Thomas has had two and a half years as President where he has made positive changes to the sport and I believe he deserves to be elected as President in his home country and have four more years to continue to work and implement his vision for our sport.” “Jean-Michael SAIVE was a great player and ambassador for table tennis which we all respect him for. Despite that Jean-Michel has never held a high level international political table tennis position. So I don’t believe it is correct that his first position is that of ITTF President. But of course if he wins I will be the first to congratulate him.” concluded the Qatari. The ITTF elections will take place during the ITTF AGM starting at 9am on 31 May 2017 in Dusseldorf Germany. For a full list of nominees for all positions please visit: http://www.ittf.com/meetings-non-sporting-events/2017-wttc/.
World Table Tennis Championships Opens Its Door to TATA Tongchuang
TATA Tongchuang is the latest company to come on board with the ITTF since it has taken its commercial rights back in house at the start of 2017. The ITTF together with the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships organisers German Table Tennis Association (DTTB) and Table Tennis Marketing (TMG) has signed TATA Tongchuang as a major partner of the biggest table tennis event on earth. Speaking at the signing ceremony held on Sunday 7 May 2017 in Chengdu China TATA Tongchuang’s Founder WU Chenxi stated: “It is an honour for TATA to become a partner of the Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships. TATA is the largest wooden door brand in China and we want to take this top Chinese brand internationally showing china’s excellence in wooden doors just like the Chinese table tennis team. This is just the first step for us and we hope that there will be a long partnership with the ITTF and table tennis.” The Liebherr 2017 World Table Tennis Championships which will be held in Dusseldorf Germany on 29 May to 5 June 2017 is set to be the biggest table tennis event in history with 613 players from 108 countries coming together to face-off for World Championships titles in front of 50 000 spectators and close to 400 million viewers worldwide. ITTF President Thomas WEIKERT added: “The signing of TATA Tongchuang keeps up the momentum that ITTF has established since taking the commercial rights back. We are pleased to have such a large well renowned company coming on board for our most prestigious event and stay tuned for more commercial announcements in the upcoming weeks!” ITTF’s Marketing & Commercial Director Steve DAINTON concluded: “We are pleased that table tennis can truly “Open Doors” between China and the World for TATA Tongchuang. With a global reach of around 400 million our World Championships is a powerful tool for brands to promote themselves inside and outside China so I am sure that the TATA Tongchuang’s partnership with the event will fulfil and even succeed their company’s goals from our partnership. We are already in discussion with TATA Tongchuang for a longer term partnership to open many more doors for them in a larger scale through table tennis. Thank you for our friends at the Chinese Table Tennis Association who attended the signing ceremony to show their support to this exciting new partnership and to TMG who through Hanyuan International assisted to bring this new partner.” TATA Tongchuang joins a host of global partners of the World Championships including Liebherr ARAG Tissot Double Happiness Nittaku Gerflor and many more! About TATA Tongchuang: Founded in 1999 TATA is one of the first professional companies in China to deal with the development production sale and services of residential doors. With the goal of “changing the industry & servicing the society” as well as the development of wooden doors and other concepts the company became vice president of the Chinese wooden door Society and a landmark for Chinese wooden doors.
