Great expectations for the Italian Championships in Terni

February 25, 2026
7:24 am
Member Associations

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).

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