Top favorites for the crown China cruised through the quarter final of the LIEBHERR World Championships in Dortmund. They denied Poland of winning the medal. DING Ning beat Natalia PARTYKA LI Xiaoxia overcame rising star of European table tennis Katarzyn
Ping Pong for Peace at Dortmund WTC
Flight delays due to a strike in Frankfurt Airport lost luggage and a fire evacuation in the mall – the children from Burundi (as part of the “Ping Pong Paix” project) despite all these troubles kept their spirits high during their visit to
Jörgen PERSSON wants to join Super League after London
The Chinese journalists could not believe what they hear. “What are you going to do?” Cannily smiling Jorgen PERSSON repeated: “I want to play in the Super League after the Olympics and then I can retire.” The reporter with the microphone became nervous. The Chinese journalists could not believe what they hear. “What are you going to do?” Cannily smiling Jorgen PERSSON repeated: “I want to play in the Super League after the Olympics and then I can retire.” The reporter with the microphone became nervous. The 46 year-old table tennis legend shortly before ending his career will be once more in the Chinese League? To which club? “I do not know yet. I am still waiting for the offers ” he laughs. Even the German journalists could not similarly believe that the Single’s World Champ of 1991 and four times Team World Master will stop. “You have mentioned once that you are going to retire. Is that now final?” PERSSON answers calmly: “Yes after Shanghai I treated myself a hiatus now I will really end up.” Prior to this he will however strike one more time in London. He was already twice fourth missing tightly the most sought Olympics medals. “Of course every one who goes to the Olympics wants a medal. But to be among the best 16 I could manage that. It is simpler at the Olympics. There are only two Chinese in.” Grinning he added: “And only two Germans.” He also earned a high regard from the Chinese national trainer LIU Guoliang because of his far reached career. “He is now fighting against the sixth generation of our players.” And indeed he could Olympia winner MA Lin on Tuesday take away a set. The Chinese jokes: “Maybe we could have deployed XU Xin. When Persson won against China in 1989 5:0 XU Xin wasn’t born yet.” PERSSON also laughs after being referred about his age. “My colleagues are sometimes calling me humorously Grandpa. We have a player in our team Kristian KARLSSON I am older than his mother and equally of the same age like his father.” He narrated it is for him a great pleasure to train with the younger players and relay his experiences to them. To keep himself fit he does running and strength training. “When I wake up every morning I feel nothing. I am already 46 but still fit and I am very thankful for it.” Asked what the secret formula of his success is he ponders: “Talent is only fifty percent the other half is through hard work. I love table tennis. I still love training. Maybe that is my secret ” the old chap from Sweden acknowledged. (by Ina BAYER courtesy DTTB) Photo: Jorgen PERSSON during WTC in Dortmund (Photo Petrovic)
Seeking dream builders: a new ambitious ITTF program
The ITTF Dream Building Program is the new umbrella branding of the social responsibility programs that the ITTF is involved in and brings together the Development Program “creating opportunities to dream” Para Table Tennis “nothing can The ITTF Dream Building Program is the new umbrella branding of the social responsibility programs that the ITTF is involved in and brings together the Development Program “creating opportunities to dream” Para Table Tennis “nothing can stop the dream” and Junior Table tennis “creating the dream pathway”.. After months of preparation the ITTF Dream Building concept along with the promotional video and website was launched by ITTF Marketing Division’s Kimberly KOH at the Annual General Meeting held in the “Goldsaal” of Westfalenhallen Convention Centre in Dortmund Germany on Tuesday 27 March 2012. “The Dream Building campaign encompasses all that is “development” within the ITTF. We need more funds to service more areas and more communities and make table tennis an accessible activity to all members of our society and especially to those that have financial or physical challenges. I hope that the table tennis community and the corporate community will support this programme in big numbers” said Adham SHARARA ITTF President. “Supporters of the ITTF Dream Building Program will now be referred to as ITTF Dream Builders because they literally help to build the ping pong dreams of many around the world ” explained Steve DAINTON ITTF Marketing Director and creator of the ITTF Dream Building concept. Individuals will be able to donate at the website www.ittfdream.com/donate . Corporations are invited to partner the ITTF Dream Building program for their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. Recognition levels will be commensurate with the level of support and ranges from Bronze Dream Builders to Platinum Dream Builders. In addition the ITTF announced plans to host a 2013 Fundraising Dinner at the 2013 World Table Tennis Championships in Paris. Seats at the dinner are available for purchase with all proceeds going to the ITTF Dream Building program. Top Dream Builders will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the event. For more information on becoming an ITTF Dream Builder please click here. (by Kimberly KOH courtesy ITTF)
Katarzyna GRZYBOWSKA shined against Romania
Two quarterfinalists from the World Championships in Moscow meet today in Round of 16 and despite great chances for European team Asian prevailed. Korea Republic overcame Hungary in very open and thrilling match. Petra LOVAS went full distance against KI
Dortmund spirit inspired Sweden
In the quarterfinal of the Men’s Teams Event at the LIEBHERR World Championships China will meet Austria Korea will play against Chinese Taipei Japan against Singapore and Sweden against Germany. Belarus suffered by the hands of Singapore in the Round o
Racket Control regulations to be changed
The ITTF Board of Directors Meeting was held today 29 March 2012 at Westfallenhallen Congress Centre in Dortmund. Here are the main decisions: Junior Championships: The next World Junior Table Tennis Championships will be organised in Shanghai China in 2
Czech 1st League match attended by 3.962 spectators!
Since ice-hockey has its open-air „Winter Classic“ Czech table tennis players decided to present an exclusive match in front of shop windows. Last round match of the regular season of the men’s 1st League between SKST Liberec and Moravska Slavia Brno was Since ice-hockey has its open-air „Winter Classic“ Czech table tennis players decided to present an exclusive match in front of shop windows. Last round match of the regular season of the men’s 1st League between SKST Liberec and Moravska Slavia Brno was played at the Liberec’s FORUM Shopping Centre on Sunday March 25 as TABLE TENNIS CLASSIC 2012. The winner of the match was supposed to reach Play-Off Semi-Finals so the match was not just a friendly case. The fight was very close and visitors Moravska Slavia Brno reached 10-8 victory against the home team SKST Liberec. Organisers set out a courageous target – to beat unofficial European record in the national- competition match attendance. The last year record of Bundesliga the top attended competition in Europe was 4 800 spectators (according to the tischtennis.de). Therefore each visitor who agreed to be registered as the spectator received as a souvenir numbered table-tennis ball (and had a right to participate in the drawing for € 20 shopping coupons). Lucky winners were drawn by players of the winning team. Organisers registered 3.962 spectators. European record was not beaten however the Moravska Slavia Brno captain Marek SMERDA (39) pointed out: ”So many people have not seen me playing in Czech Republic as long as I play table tennis.“ The players enjoyed absolutely fair conditions for their game. Organizers prepared taraflex and regular court lightening. “This is better facility than we usualy have in our home hall“ offered the overstatement Martin JAHODA star of the home team. TABLE TENNIS CLASSIC brought top table tennis. The match was dramatic until the end and full shopping mall foyer often applauded to players. The Czech TV broadcasted pictures from TABLE TENNIS CLASSIC 2012 on its Sports Channel Four on Thursday March 29. (by Milan SIMACEK) Click here for further information Photo: The Czech first league match played in Liberec
China Germany Korea and Japan in Men’s quarters
The winners in their respective groups at the LIEBHERR World Teams Championships in Dortmund after four days of fierce battles are: China Korea Japan and Germany They will have day – off tomorrow whilst teams placed at positions two and three wi
Romania got the thriller against Ukraine
China Singapore Japan and Hong Kong earned a day off at the LIEBHERR World Teams Championships in Dortmund as winners of their respective groups in Women’s Team’s Event. Germany will face Korea DPR in the play off match for the quarterfinal; Hungary wil
