On the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8 March, the French Table Tennis Federation (FFTT) reaffirms its commitment to promoting the feminisation of both participation and governance in table tennis across the country. Following a year dedicated to feminisation, declared a major federal cause in 2025, the FFTT is continuing this momentum with a special week from 2 to 6 March 2026 dedicated to highlighting initiatives carried out by its clubs across the country. Throughout 2025, the Federation implemented an ambitious programme centred on the “Jeu, Set et Féminisation” Tour de France, designed to meet clubs, leaders and players in order to promote a more inclusive practice of table tennis. The FFTT also launched, together with 21 women, the “Club of 300 Female Leaders”, an initiative linked to a CNOSF training programme aimed at encouraging women’s involvement in local, regional and federal sports governance. The programme also promotes networking and the sharing of experiences among women committed to creating momentum towards gender parity in regional governing bodies by 2028. In summer 2025, the FFTT mobilised its leagues and club network through a call for projects aimed at encouraging the reception, participation and coaching of women. The objective was to increase both the number and proportion of female licence holders in clubs while stimulating concrete and sustainable initiatives. Following this call for projects and the allocation of €100,000 in financial support, numerous initiatives were launched across France within the 62 selected clubs, including: At Amicale d’Épernon (Eure-et-Loir), for example, the introduction of an inter-company women’s training session and targeted communication campaigns led to significant progress in just six months. The club increased from 23 to 35 female licence holders, while the number of women competing more than doubled (from 4 to 9) between June and December 2025.

Following her impressive run to the semifinals of the Singapore Smash, Germany’s Sabine WINTER has climbed to No. 11 in the latest world ranking, marking another milestone in her remarkable rise on the international stage. In an interview released by the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB), WINTER reflected on her semifinal encounter with world No. 2 WANG Manyu, the lessons learned from defeat, and her busy schedule across Asia before returning to domestic competition and the TT-Finals in Erfurt. Although the scoreboard against WANG Manyu appeared clear, WINTER emphasised that the match itself was far more competitive. “I can’t say the match against WANG Manyu hurts,” WINTER explained. “It was a fantastic tournament for me. Against the world No. 2, I had nothing to lose. Of course, I would have liked it to be even closer, but overall it’s encouraging to see that I can compete with someone like her. She celebrated her points and showed her fighting spirit, which proves she took me very seriously. When the Chinese take you seriously, that builds confidence.” Rather than dwelling on defeat, the 33-year-old views such encounters as stepping stones. “I actually learn more from very close matches and especially from losses. When my limits are exposed, I know exactly what I need to improve. Matches like this are extremely valuable when I return to training.” Instead of returning to Germany after Singapore, WINTER travelled directly to Sanya, on the southern tip of China’s Hainan Island. There she is competing in a team event alongside Sweden’s Anton KÄLLBERG, Germany’s Yuan WAN and Austria’s former European champion Sofia POLCANOVA, facing Chinese teams composed of three men and one woman. “It was tight with travel, I landed just three hours before the first match,” she admitted. “But I had already planned to stay in Asia. The constant long flights and jet lag are exhausting. This way I can manage my energy better.” WINTER’s recent achievements include victory at the Europe Top 16 Cup, becoming the first European woman to reach a Champions final in Montpellier, and now a Grand Smash semifinal. Naturally, her status on the tour is evolving. “I do feel that my status has changed a bit, but not dramatically,” she said. “I haven’t been playing at this level for that long yet. Others have done so for years. But there is more attention now, and I’m asked to do more for social media.” With success also come expectations. “When I play against someone ranked No. 30 now, people suddenly see me as the favourite. Before, a win against that level would have been a huge result for me. I try not to let external expectations influence me. Of course, confidence grows with good wins, but I focus on my own development and continuing to improve my game.” After her Asian campaign, WINTER will return to Bundesliga action with Dachau in April before competing at the TT-Finals in Erfurt in June. “Dachau is my home club. I’ve played there for many years, and it’s always special to enter that hall and see familiar faces. The German Championships have always meant a lot to me. I’m looking forward to them again and will try to finish as high as possible.” With renewed confidence and the belief that she belongs among the world’s elite, Sabine WINTER’s 2026 season continues to gather momentum and the message is clear: the world’s best are now taking her very seriously.

For the first time in history, the Czech Republic Championships for men and women will take place in the South Bohemian Region. From 20 to 23 March, the country’s top players will gather at the Stromovka Sports Hall in České Budějovice to compete for national honours. Fans will see the full Czech elite in action, including reigning singles champions David Reitšpies and Zdena Blašková. As tradition dictates, five events will be contested: Men’s and Women’s Singles, Men’s and Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. The tournament will open with singles qualification rounds on Friday, while the new national champions will be crowned on Sunday. Among the standout names is Lubomír Jančařík, fresh from his triumph at the WTT Star Contender Chennai in February. He arrives in České Budějovice with clear ambitions. “Of course, I feel very good. Last year I didn’t reach the final — David Reitšpies played excellently. This year, I would like to become national champion,” Jančařík said upon returning from India. In the men’s singles, his main challengers are expected to be David Reitšpies, Pavel Širuček and Jiří Martinko, alongside other experienced contenders, making the race for gold wide open. The women’s singles promises equal intrigue. Following the retirement of Hana Matelová, the title is up for grabs. Zdena Blašková, Karin Grofová and talented juniors Veronika Poláková and Hanka Kodet all know each other well from the Czech Extraliga, meaning current form and composure under pressure are likely to prove decisive. Beyond the matches, spectators can look forward to a vibrant Fan Zone and a special exhibition match featuring two legends of Czech table tennis, Milan Orlowski and Jindřich Panský — a tribute to the sport’s rich national heritage. Czech Republic Champions 2025

Belgium’s finest table tennis players will gather in Spa on 21-22 March for the TT Belgian Championships A and the Belgian Masters A TT Handisport. Hosted at the Sports Center Warfaaz, the event promises two days of high-level competition as national titles and Masters honours are decided. Across two intense days of competition, singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles will be decided, while Sunday will also feature the prestigious Masters Handisport events for seated and standing athletes. In the men’s singles, reigning champion Cedric NUYTINCK returns as the player to beat. He will face strong challenges from Adrien RASSENFOSSE and Martin ALLEGRO, both determined to claim the national crown. In the women’s event, defending champion Nathalie MARCHETTI leads the field. Among the main contenders are Margo DEGRAEF and Lilou MASSART, both eager to challenge for the top step of the podium. Last year’s winners return with ambitions to defend their titles: In addition to the Championships A, the Belgian Masters A TT Handisport will take place on Sunday. The event includes two categories: Seated Series – last year’s winner Aurelio ZUTTERMAN and Standing Series – last year’s winner Marc LEDOUX

The Latvian table tennis season reaches its pinnacle on 21–22 March as the Latvian National Championships take centre stage in Riga. The event will be held at the Sport Hall of O. Kalpaks Riga Folk-Art Primary School, with play starting at 11:00 on both competition days. The women’s singles final is scheduled for 22 March at 13:45, followed by the men’s singles final at 14:30. Last year’s champions, Daniels KOGANS and Natalija KLIMANOVA, return to defend their titles in what promises to be a fiercely contested weekend. All eyes will be on defending champion Daniels KOGANS, who also claimed the national crown in 2022. His consistency on the domestic stage makes him the player to beat once again. Among his strongest challengers is Arturs REINHOLDS, last year’s bronze medallist and the 2024 national champion, eager to reclaim the title. Olegs KARTUZOVS, runner-up in 2025 and champion in 2023, adds further depth to an already stacked field. The experienced Sandijs VASILJEVS, a remarkable 19-time national singles champion and last year’s bronze medallist, remains a formidable presence. His legacy in Latvian table tennis speaks for itself, and he will be determined to add yet another chapter. In the women’s competition, defending champion and six-time title holder Natalija KLIMANOVA leads the field. Her dominance in recent years makes her the favourite, but the competition will be anything but straightforward. Sabina MUSAJEVA, bronze medallist in 2025 and national champion in 2024, is poised to challenge strongly. Baiba BOGDANOVA, who lifted the trophy in 2023, also returns with clear ambitions, while last year’s finalist Aleksandra JERSOVA aims to go one step further this time.

The Welsh National Championships will take place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March at the Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Over two days, players across all age groups and categories will compete for national titles in what promises to be one of the highlights of the Welsh domestic calendar. The Championships will feature a comprehensive programme including Junior, Cadet, Under 21, Veteran, Para and Senior events, as well as singles and doubles competitions. Play will begin at 8:45 each morning, with knockout rounds and finals scheduled throughout both days, followed by presentation ceremonies in the afternoon and evening sessions. Saturday’s schedule includes Junior Boys and Girls Singles, Under 13 events, Veteran Over 60’s Singles and a full afternoon programme featuring Cadet Singles, Under 11 events, Senior Mixed Doubles and Junior and Veterans Doubles. Sunday will see the Men’s and Women’s Singles take centre stage in the morning session, alongside Veteran Over 70’s Singles and Para events. The afternoon programme features Under 21 Singles, Veterans Over 40’s Singles, and the Senior Men’s and Women’s Doubles competitions. Last year’s Championships produced memorable performances in both senior showpiece events. In the Men’s Singles, Callum EVANS claimed his eighth consecutive Welsh title, defeating Harri DOCHERTY in the final for the third straight year. On his way to the title, EVANS overcame a strong field including Daniel O’CONNELL, Harry STREET, Oliver JORDAN, Ryan CROWLEY and Rosen ANDREEV. The bronze medals went to Daniel O’CONNELL and Joshua STACEY. In the Women’s Singles, Anna HURSEY retained her crown with a 3-1 victory over Charlotte CAREY in the final, securing her third successive national title. HURSEY topped a demanding group featuring Lowri HURD, Lucy PAGE and Grace WILLIAMS before advancing to the final. Charlotte CAREY finished runner-up, while Danielle KELLY and Nancy YEH shared third place.

The Italian National Championships will take place from 20 to 22 March at the PalaTennistavolo “Aldo De Santis” in Terni, home of the Technical Center of the Italian Table Tennis Federation. The most important national event of the season will be attended by the entire Federal Council, led by President Renato DI NAPOLI. Friday will feature the women’s, men’s and mixed doubles competitions. On Saturday, qualifying groups in the women’s and men’s singles will be played, followed by the main draw through to the round of 16. Sunday’s programme will open with the quarterfinals and continue with the semifinals and finals. The defending women’s singles champion is Giorgia PICCOLIN (Centro Sportivo Esercito), who last year in Montesilvano also claimed the women’s doubles title alongside Debora VIVARELLI (Centro Sportivo Esercito). In the men’s singles, the reigning champion is John OYEBODE (Tennistavolo Sassari), who also secured the mixed doubles crown together with Gaia MONFARDINI (ASV TT Südtirol). The men’s doubles gold medal in 2025 went to Jordy PICCOLIN (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre) and Federico VALLINO COSTASSA (Marcozzi Cagliari). In the women’s singles, strong expectations surround Giorgia PICCOLIN, a five-time national champion (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2025). Among the main contenders are Nicole ARLIA (Centro Sportivo Aeronautica Militare), champion in 2024, Gaia MONFARDINI, Debora VIVARELLI and Miriam CARNOVALE (Quattro Mori Cagliari), all aiming for their first national singles title. Also in the spotlight are Nikoleta STEFANOVA (Tennistavolo Castel Goffredo), the record holder with eleven national titles, and TAN Wenling (Tennistavolo Norbello), champion in 2008 and 2023. In the men’s event, alongside John OYEBODE, medal ambitions will be carried by Mihai BOBOCICA (Centro Sportivo Aeronautica Militare), who has collected seven national titles (2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2024), and Niagol STOYANOV (Gruppo Sportivo Fiamme Azzurre), winner in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Among those seeking their first national crown are Andrea PUPPO (Tennistavolo Sassari), Matteo MUTTI (Apuania Carrara), Jordy PICCOLIN, Tommaso GIOVANNETTI (Polisportiva Bagnolese), Carlo ROSSI (Marcozzi Cagliari) and 15-year-old Danilo FASO (Top Spin Messina).