Browsing: ITTF

Deadline: 3rd October 2025 (Friday) @ 2.00 pm

The Local Organizer Committee (LOC)  invites International Umpires to officiate at the forthcoming event:

ITTF World Para Challenger Giza 2025 ( 15 – 18.11)

ITTF African Para Championships 2025 ( 20 – 23.11)

It is an open invitation, therefore not all submissions may be accepted.

Only online nominations submitted by bona fide National Associations will be considered

Full hospitality will be provided in twin rooms, from dinner on the day before the event starts to breakfast on the day after the event ends.

All invited umpires must organize their own transport to the region as well as travel and medical insurance. In addition, all invited umpires are responsible for early arrival and late departure. Local transport will be provided from and to Cairo International Airport.

Should a nominated umpire require a visa, kindly send relevant details after the selection (full name as in passport, date of birth, place of birth, passport number, expiry date of passport to   office@ettf.org  and Ahmed Magdy ahmed_idrees@windowslive.com

A letter of invitation will be provided. Please note that all costs associated with the visa application are the responsibility of the applicant and the issuance of a visa is at the sole discretion of the relevant Consulate or Embassy.

Each umpire will receive a daily allowance by LOC, per competition day:

Gold Badge Umpires : 80 USD

Blue Badge Umpires: 65 USD

Blue Badge Umpires in Progress: 50 USD

White Badge Umpires: 50 USD

The closing date for nominations is 03rd October 2025 @ 2.00 pm

You are kindly requested to carefully read the instructions, and then to complete the details via the online form

Thank you for your kind cooperation.Â

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September 21, 2025 | Connor Whitehead

12 boys and 12 girls who are aged under 12 on the international calendar headed to Sheffield to compete in the first ever England Hopes Week Challenge Cup. Where the winner of the boys and girls event are rewarded with a wildcard place at the upcoming ITTF World Hopes Week, held at the EIS in Sheffield, 13-19 October 2025.

The event got under way with the boys and girls split into three groups of four, with Lusio Wen and Amber Lemmon seeded number one in the event, due to their national ranking, with the rest of the groups determined by a snake seeding system.

In the girls event each of the top seed three seeded players (Amber Lemmon, Serene Rahmani-Walentynska and Cindy Xiao) advanced through group stage 2, where players will play for positions 1-3, each with avoiding going to the fifth end in the group stage.

The boys event however was much more complex. Lusio Wen was the winner of group one, overcoming Li Hao Chen 3-1 in his tightest battle. Sai Prasanna Kumar was seeded first in group 2 and looked set to qualify, until an inspired comeback from Lev Sahmurov where the latter took the match 12-10 in the fifth. In group 3, Jayden Xuan Chen, seeded second came out on top, but not without many group stage battles, coming from 2-0 down to defeat Christopher Darby, followed by a hard fought 3-1 win over both Oliver Glowacki and top seeded Malek Shamakh.

With the players now split into 4 groups of three players, based on their group 1 finishing position, each player was battling it out for their final positions. Boys Group 1 saw Jayden Xuan Chen come out on top, defeating Lev Sahmurov and Lusio Wen both by a 3-0 scoreline, which secured his place at the upcoming ITTF World Hopes Week. Lusio Wen finished the event as Challenge Cup runner up with a 3-1 victory over Sahmurov over turning a 1-0 deficit to take the match 3-1.

Li Hao Chen secured fourth place overall and top spot in Boys Group 2. The group got off to a quick start with Malek Shamakh defeating Sai Prasanna Kumar 3-0, Li Hao Chen then defeated Prasanna Kumar 3-1 before a clash to decide 4-5 positions; it was Chen who came out on top 3-0 over Shamakh.
Ronan Lamont Tierney secured 7th place in Group 3, and almost made it into group 2, losing out to Group 2 winner Li Hao Chen 3-2, in the very first fixture of the day. Lamont-Tierney won 2 from 2 over Lancastrian compatriots, defeating Stefan Wierszllowski 3-1 and Oliver Glowacki 3-0. It was Wierszllowski who finished in 8th with a 3-1 victory over Glowacki.

In the battle for positions 10-12, there was only one match to be played, due to the withdrawal of Zachariah Sarri. 10th place went to Luton TTC youngster Christopher Darby who overcame Jonti Barnes 3-1.

In the girls event, Amber Lemmon joined her Archway Peterborough teammate in securing her place at the ITTF World Hopes Week, as she defeated teammate Cindy Xiao and Serene Rahmani-Walentynska to secure top spot. It was Xiao who finished runner up, as she overcame third placed Serene Rahmani-Walentynska 3-1.

Bethany Yang pushed the winner Amber Lemmon to the limit in the initial group stage, before she finished her Challenge Cup campaign on a high in fourth place with victories over Isabella Xiao Xu and Phoebe O’Brien. Xiao Xu defeated O’Brien in three straight games in the opening fixture on the afternoon group stage, which enabled her to finish 5th, with O’Brien in 6th place.

Mindy Gao overcame twin sister Mila Gao to finish third in Group Stage 1, and continued her winning ways in Group Stage 2, with wins over Sakinah Damji and Shreya Popat to finish in 7th position. Sakinah Damji secured an 8th place finish with a strong 3-0 victory over Popat.

As the girls battled for final positions 10-12, Kingfisher club mates Rabani Ahluwaila and Swara Mahabhashyan went head to head; with Ahluwaila coming out on top 3-0. Mila Gao then defeated Mahabhashyan 3-1, before a close battle between Gao and Ahluwaila for 10th place, with the Ormesby youngster, Gao, coming out on top 11-7 in the decider.

Final Positions –
Boys – Jayden Xuan Chen, Lusio Wen, Lev Shamurov, Li Hao Chen, Malek Shamakh, Sai Prasanna Kumar, Ronan Lamont-Tierney, Stefan Wierszllowski, Oliver GÅ‚owacki, Christopher Darby, Jonti Barnes, Zachariah Sarri.
Girls – Amber Lemmon, Cindy Xiao, Serene Rahmani-Walentynska, Bethany Yang, Isabella Xiao Xu, Phoebe O’Brien, Mindy Gao, Sakinah Damji, Shreya Popat, Mila Gao, Rabani Ahluwaila, Swara Mahabhashyan.

Group Stage 1 Results –

Boys Group 1
Li Hao Chen bt Ronan Lamont Tierney 3-2 (9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5)
Lusio Wen bt Jonti Barnes 3-0 (11-3,11-7, 11-8)
Li Hao Chen bt Jonti Barnes 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-6)
Lusio Wen bt Ronan Lamont Tierney 3-0 (12-10, 11-5, 12-10)
Ronan Lamont Tierney bt Jonti Barnes 3-1 (11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8)
Lusio Wen bt Li Hao Chen 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7)

Boys Group 2
Lev Sahmurov bt Zacharia Sarri 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-7)
Sai Prasanna Kumar bt Stefan Wierszyllowski 3-0 (11-9, 11-3, 13-11)
Lev Sahmurov bt Stefan Wierszyllowski 3-0 (11-3, 11-8, 11-9)
Lev Sahmurov bt Sai Prasanna Kumar 3-2 (4-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 12-10)
Zacharia Sarri withdrawn with injury.

Boys Group 3
Jayden Xuan Chen bt Christopher Darby 3-2 (9-11, 10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8)
Malek Shamakh bt Oliver GÅ‚owacki 3-0 (11-6, 12-10, 11-6)
Jayden Xuan Chen bt Oliver Glowacki 3-1 (12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 11-8)
Malek Shamakh bt Christopher Darby 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-6)
Oliver GÅ‚owacki bt Christopher Darby 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 14-12)
Jayden Xuan Chen bt Malek Shamakh 3-1 (11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7)

Girls Group 1
Bethany Yang bt Mindy Gao 3-1 (11-7, 11-7, 11-8)
Amber Lemmon bt Mila Gao 3-0 (11-5, 11-3, 11-5)
Bethany Yang bt Mila Gao 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-5)
Amber Lemmon bt Mindy Gao 3-0 (11-0, 11-6, 11-5)
Mindy Gao bt Mila Gao (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7)
Amber Lemmon bt Bethany Yang (11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7)

Girls Group 2
Isabella Xiao Xu bt Sakinah Damji 3-1 (13-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-5)
Serene Rahmani-Walentynska bt Swara Mahabhashyan 3-0 (11-6, 11-3, 11-5)
Isabella Xiao Xu bt Swara Mahabhashyan 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-2)
Serene Rahmani-Walentynska bt Sakinah Damji 3-1 (11-9, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9)
Sakinah Damji bt Swara Mahabhashyan 3-0 (11-9, 11-3, 11-7)
Serene Rahmani-Walentynska bt Isabella Xiao Xu 3-1 (11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 11-7)

Girls Group 3
Phoebe O’Brien bt Shreya Popat 3-1 (11-9, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7)
Cindy Xiao bt Rabani Ahluwaila 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-6)
Phoebe O’Brien bt Rabani Ahluwaila 3-0 (11-5, 12-10, 13-11)
Cindy Xiao bt Shreya Popat 3-0 (11-1, 11-6, 11-3)
Shreya Popat bt Rabani Ahluwaila 3-1 (12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8)
Cindy Xiao bt Phoebe O’Brien 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 12-10)

Group Stage 2 Results

Boys Positions 1-3
Jayden Xuan Chen bt Lev Sahmurov 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-6)
Lusio Wen bt Lev Sahmurov 3-1 (4-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3)
Jayden Xuan Chen bt Lusio Wen 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-7)

Girls Positions 1-3
Cindy Xiao bt Serene Rahmani-Walentynska 3-1 (11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10)
Amber Lemmon bt Serene Rahmani-Walentynska 3-1 (6-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-3)
Amber Lemmon bt Cindy Xiao 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 12-10)

Boys Positions 4-6
Malek Shamakh bt Sai Prasanna Kumar 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-9)
Li Hao Chen bt Sai Prasanna Kumar 3-1 (11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7)
Li Hao Chen bt Malek Shamakh 3-0 (11-9, 11-5, 11-9)

Girls Positions 4-6
Isabella Xiao Xu bt Phoebe O’Brien 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-6)
Bethany Yang bt Phoebe O’Brien 3-1 (11-8, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2)
Bethany Yang bt Isabella Xiao Xu 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-8)

Boys Positions 7-9
Stefan Wierszllowski bt Oliver GÅ‚owacki 3-1 (11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8)
Ronan Lamont-Tierney bt Oliver Glowacki 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-7)
Ronan Lamont-Tierney bt Stefan Wierszllowski 3-1 (11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7)

Girls Positions 7-9
Sakinah Damji bt Shreya Popat 3-0 (11-4, 11-7, 13-11)
Mindy Gao bt Shreya Popat 3-1 (9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7)
Mindy Gao bt Sakinah Damji 3-0 (11-8, 11-4, 11-6)

Boys Positions 10-12
Christopher Darby bt Jonti Barnes 3-1 (11-7, 10-12, 13-11, 11-6)
Zachariah Sarri withdrawn*

Girls Positions 10-12
Rabani Ahluwaila bt Swara Mahabhashyan 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-5)
Mila Gao bt Swara Mahabhashyan 3-1 (11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7)
Mila Gao bt Rabani Ahluwaila 3-2 (11-9, 4-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7)

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September 14, 2025 (by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The ITTF Pan American U11 & U13 Championships concluded last week in…

Deadline: 25th August 2025 (Monday) @ 2.00 PMThe Local Organizer Committee (LOC)  invites International Umpires to officiate at the forthcoming event:ITTF Asian…

Deadline: 30th May 2025 (Friday) @ 2.00 pm

The Local Organizer Committee (LOC)  invites International and National Umpires to officiate at the forthcoming ITTF World Para Elite Nakhon Ratchasima 2025

The event will commence on18th July and conclude on 22nd July 2025.

It is an open invitation, therefore not all submissions may be accepted.

Only online nominations submitted by bona fide National Associations will be considered

Full hospitality will be provided in twin rooms, from dinner on the day before the event starts to breakfast on the day after the event ends.

All invited umpires must organize their own transport to the region as well as travel and medical insurance. In addition, all invited umpires are responsible for early arrival and late departure. Local transport will be provided from and to Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK).

Should a nominated umpire require a visa, kindly send relevant details after the selection (full name as in passport, date of birth, place of birth, passport number, expiry date of passport to wecharoen@gmail.com

A letter of invitation will be provided. Please note that all costs associated with the visa application are the responsibility of the applicant and the issuance of a visa is at the sole discretion of the relevant Consulate or Embassy.

Each umpire will receive a daily allowance by LOC, per competition day:

Gold Badge Umpires : 80 USD

Blue Badge Umpires: 65 USD

Blue Badge Umpires in Progress: 50 USD

White Badge Umpires: 50 USD

In case of a day off the LOC shall pay 50% of the daily allowance

The closing date for nominations is 30th May 2025 @ 2.00 pm.

You are kindly requested to carefully read the instructions, and then to complete the details via the online form

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

Clik link below:👇👇

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Deadline: 05 May 2025 (Monday) @ 2.00 pm

The Local Organizer Committee (LOC) invites International and National Umpires to officiate at the forthcoming :Â

ITTF WORLD PARA FUTURE TAIPEI ( 26 – 29.06.2025)Â

ITTF WORLD PARA CHALLENGER KAOHSIUNG ( 02 – 05.07.2025)Â

It is an open invitation; therefore, not all submissions may be accepted.

Only online nominations submitted by bona fide National Associations will be considered.

Full hospitality will be provided in twin rooms, from dinner on the day before the event starts to breakfast on the day after the event ends.

All invited umpires must organize their own transport to the region as well as travel and medical insurance. In addition, all invited umpires are responsible for early arrival and late departure. Local transport will be provided from and to 1) Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) 2) Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA)Â

Should a nominated umpire require a visa, kindly send relevant details after the selection (full name as in passport, date of birth, place of birth, passport number, and expiry date of passport to TPE_LOC@ctpc.org.tw

A letter of invitation will be provided. Please note that all costs associated with the visa application are the responsibility of the applicant and the issuance of a visa is at the sole discretion of the relevant Consulate or Embassy.

Each umpire will receive a daily allowance by LOC, per competition day:

Gold Badge Umpires: 80 USD

Blue Badge Umpires: 65 USD

Blue Badge Umpires in Progress: 50 USDÂ

White Badge Umpires: 50 USD

In case of a day off the LOC shall pay 50% of the daily allowance

The closing date for nominations is 5th May 2025 (Monday), 2.00 pm.

You are kindly requested to carefully read the instructions, and then to complete the details via the online formÂ

Thank you for your kind cooperation.

 Clik link below:👇👇

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At the end of November 2024, I attended and passed the ITTF level 1 coaching course. It was an amazing 5-day experience for me, easily the best 5 days of my year.

This experience completely changed how I see table tennis and life altogether. I learned not only the core elements of how to coach table tennis, but also some key life lessons I want to share with you.

In this article, I want to share with you these two sides of the story: what I was taught, and what I took from these teachings. Letâ€s begin!

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The ITTF Level 1 Course – My Experience

Before starting this course, I was told that I wouldnâ€t learn anything useful and that I already knew all of the contents of the course. As a player for nearly 10 years, and having received thousands of hours of coaching, I thought the same. Looking back, I donâ€t think this was the case at all.

For context, I did the course in my native Buenos Aires. The cost was 60 USD and it consisted of classes from 9am to 4pm every day from Wednesday until Sunday. I actually had exams at university on Thursday and the following Monday, the day after the course would end.

So, I woke up on Wednesday at 7 AM. Iâ€d been waking up at around 11 AM the days before, so I only had 4 hours of sleep that night.

I was extremely, extremely excited for this course. We got to the training hall where the classes would be given, and I got to know all of my coursemates. I already knew around half of them, but I had never talked for more than 5 minutes with most.

ITTF Course – Day 1

On the first day, we learned how to teach people who donâ€t know how to hit the ball onto the other side of the table. This consisted primarily of the two basic strokes: the forehand drive and backhand drive.

The first lesson wasnâ€t actually how to perform the strokes, theyâ€re very simple. Instead, I was being taught how to teach. I knew how to perform these strokes with my eyes closed, but did I know how to teach them in the simplest and most effective way possible?

Even if you know how to counterloop, chop-block, or other advanced shots, itâ€s no use as a coach if you canâ€t teach table tennis to a student who canâ€t get the ball onto the other side of the table.

Many new players can hit the ball onto the other side, but others, especially kids, canâ€t maintain a rally.

I learned lots of exercises that I can teach these players to gain control over the ball and  progressively start improving their coordination until they can play table tennis at the table.

These exercises include rebounding the ball on the racket, throwing the ball without the racket, passing the ball on the floor, etc.

We also learned the 5 steps of teaching:

1. Explaining the exercise
2. Showing how itâ€s done
3. Getting the players to do it
4. Observing them
5. Giving them feedback, and asking for their feedback

I realized that most coaches donâ€t do all of these steps effectively. Whatâ€s more, many will just explain the exercise (step 1) and leave it there.

What I thought was useful was the last step: asking the players what they thought. Did they have any difficulties? Did they like the exercise? Did they think it was useful? By asking these questions we can get to know what the player is thinking and address their doubts accordingly.

When observing someoneâ€s technique, we can understand whatâ€s happening mechanically but we canâ€t understand how their brain is processing the mechanics without giving them space to talk about it.

Iâ€ve experienced this a few times as a player, and itâ€s something Iâ€ll incorporate as a coach, for sure.

After a day full of table tennis, what did I do? I went to my local club for training, of course! Now it was my turn to play.

I came back home at around 10 PM. I had dinner, had a shower, and I started studying. After all, I had an important exam at university the following day (Thursday).

I finished my studies at around 3 AM that night, and I woke up again at 7 AM for the course. This was the second day Iâ€d slept for just 4 hours. I donâ€t recommend it.

ITTF Course – Day 2

On the morning of the second day came the second realization: I was tired, but I didnâ€t care at all. I felt more energized than ever before!

In that moment, I learned that if youâ€re very excited to live the day, you wonâ€t be tired.

Many times itâ€s happened to me that Iâ€d sleep for 8, 9, or even 10 hours and wake up tired, and, even if I donâ€t need more sleep, Iâ€ll find an excuse to go back to bed. Whyâ€s that? Because I have to go to university or fulfill other obligations, which I donâ€t want to do.

But the course wasnâ€t an obligation, the course was a place of joy for me. I was eager to wake up and get to the hall, so I didnâ€t feel tired.

On the second day, we learned how to teach the forehand and backhand topspin, and the forehand and backhand open up against backspin.

Youâ€d think, we all know how to perform these shots. Well, yes, but do you know how to teach a social beginner with terrible technique how to open up against backspin? If your answer is no, neither did I!

On this second day I started engaging more with the other aspiring coaches, which was a magical and enlightening experience for me.

We were a group of more than 30 people with a burning passion for table tennis, each with their incredible projects: teaching kids, teaching people with disabilities, expanding their clubs, teaching in high schools, teaching the elderly.

I get emotional even when writing about the impact these dedicated people have on the lives of others.

So, I started making friends. Almost everyone was extremely friendly, willing to strike up a conversation or play a match or two. After all, we were all there because we love table tennis.

To close out the second day, we were told to complete a small test about ourselves. Weâ€d have to talk about what we wrote in front of everyone.

The task was to write 3 words that best describe yourself or that you feel identified with, and your personal motto.

I think this was a great idea as it allowed the group to get to know each other better, how we felt, and what we wanted to achieve.

I had my motto and 2/3 words ready, I just couldnâ€t choose the 3rd word. I took the full 10 minutes I had but I still couldnâ€t figure out the third word. After learning about all of the other coaches, it was now my turn to speak. I went last, which made me feel even more nervous.

So, I went in front of everyone and I said what Iâ€d written.

The first word: temperance. I explained Iâ€m a very calm person and that I like to do things at my own pace. So far, so good.

The second word: dedication. I said that by having goals in mind and working towards them, you can accomplish your dreams.

Now, I had to say the third word, the problem was, I didnâ€t have it! So, I said what I felt at the moment.

My third word was happiness. I said I chose this word because table tennis makes me feel extremely happy. At that moment, I had a lump in my throat. I think I was able to disguise it relatively well, and I donâ€t think anyone noticed but myself.

I tried to continue, and I explained my personal motto: “You can get extremely far if you go step by stepâ€.

Sometimes I feel like Iâ€m making little to no progress, but, only when I look over my shoulder do I realize how far Iâ€ve come in my table tennis journey. Everything Iâ€ve accomplished was because I took it one step at a time, enjoying every moment.

At this moment, I learned something new about myself: how much I love table tennis and the magnitude of its effect on my whole life.

So, everyone clapped, as we all did for our classmates, and the day was over. You would think I headed straight for university as I had an extremely important exam, but no, we stayed there playing basketball with the other guys for 20 minutes.

Even if the exam was very important, it wasnâ€t as important as the moment I had right in front of my eyes. Looking back, I’m glad I stayed playing basketball, as it’s a memory I treasure very fondly.

So, I headed to uni and did the exam (note from future Ãlvaro: I passed it!).

I came back home at night, slept for a few hours, and up I rose the following day, powered by an excited energy.

ITTF Course – Day 3

This day, we learned how to move better, how to warm up, how to do physical training, and how to glue a racket.

We learned that warm-ups are extremely important when it comes to injury prevention and that they shouldnâ€t be missed.

Also, we learned many physical exercises that can improve table tennis performance, such as squats, box jumps, lateral movement drills and reaction exercises.

Again, the most important thing for me was how much I enjoyed talking to my classmates and just hanging out around the tables.

ITTF Course – Day 4

On the fourth day, we had a test. We studied everything related to PTT (Para Table Tennis) and ways in which we can organize tournaments and competitions.

This day created the space for me to learn another extremely valuable lesson: everyone deserves to have fun and improve. If we have a disabled student, coaches have the duty to ensure that they can complete every single exercise by adapting our training routines to their needs and abilities.

Class 6 athlete Ibrahim Hamadtou

We were accompanied by three disabled players, and we learned their incredibly valuable insights throughout the course.

We were told stories about how they and their friends were often treated differently, not only in sports but also in life itself.

One of these players had a disability in one of his arms so he couldnâ€t use it, and he told us how many times, when practicing a given sport (not only table tennis) the coaches would give the class exercises and turn a blind eye when he couldnâ€t do them.

Theyâ€d do this until it was evident that he couldnâ€t perform the exercises time and time again. Instead of adapting the exercises for him, which wouldâ€ve taken 20 seconds of thinking, the coaches would keep on doing this until he stopped practicing the sport altogether.

Here came the lesson: If table tennis makes me so happy, I want to share this happiness with everyone, especially with those who need extra attention.

People with disabilities are often excluded in many aspects of their lives. For example, they can’t access certain places, they can’t do certain things, etc.

As coaches and table tennis lovers, we have to include these players and make the training hall a place of happiness and improvement for them.

Through the fourth day, I learned that disabled athletes are grouped into 11 classes. 1-5 are sitting athletes, 6-11 are standing classes.

I learned that athletes in classes 1 and 2 are those players who play sitting down and have the least mobility.

These players often fall over the table as they donâ€t have enough equilibrium to stay seated, but theyâ€d rather fall over the table and risk bruising and hurting themselves than losing the point.

In fact, many of these players fall over the table many times per match, but they keep on playing. These are the true warriors of the sport if you ask me.

I learned all of the different rules these athletes have, and how they compete. I can now watch a Para Table Tennis match and understand why everything happens like it does, and I feel a bit more capable of teaching a disabled player.

You canâ€t learn everything in half a day, of course. Itâ€s a skill I aim to continue developing through practice and future study.

ITTF Course – Final day

On the final day, we had to take part in a practical test, which would decide whether weâ€d pass the course or not.

We were distributed into random pairs and given one topic we’d studied in the course. We’d then have to explain that topic plus one related exercise to the whole class, who would act as our students.

My partner and I had the “grip, basic stance, and lateral movement†topic, which was probably the hardest, as we had just 9 minutes to think about how to explain the 3 topics and create an exercise that involved all of them.

My partner and I didnâ€t have enough time to agree upon everything weâ€d say, so we had to improvise at the end.

Fortunately, we did very well and were told we passed the course. We were the second group to do the final examination, so we spent the rest of the afternoon acting as students for our classmates, doing the exercises they gave us.

We were very happy that weâ€d passed the course and weâ€d now have a few hours of doing table tennis exercises and socializing with our coursemates.

After everything was done, I came back home, and, as I opened the door, I realized I was feeling a bit gloomy.

I had an exam at university the following day, and the coaching course was done.

There would be no more days full of table tennis, no more socializing, no more basketball, no more learning to be had, no more fun. I was now back to the routine.

Here, I learned the final lesson: I wanted to make what I felt in the course my routine. What if I was able to open a table tennis club, or live off of my passion in other ways? After all, Iâ€m an ITTF coach now!

I realized that table tennis is my passion and that I want to dedicate my life to the sport, regardless of whether itâ€s as a player, as a coach, or whatever. Itâ€d be a dream come true for me if I could help the sport grow in any way I can.

My Personal Learnings

I believe that whatâ€s taught in the ITTF coaching course is great, but whatâ€s even better is what you can take from the whole experience.

In the course, there were a few guys who just showed up, did the bare minimum, passed the course, and went home.

In my opinion, if youâ€re going to do the ITTF coaching course, you have to take full advantage of the most important thing: Having 5 full days to share talks and moments with 30 other people who are passionate about table tennis.

In the end, as a table tennis coach, youâ€ll be socializing all the time. Learning from other people, making friends, and sharing a common passion are among the most fulfilling things in life.

So, here are the most important things I learned, other than the contents of the course:

• Everyone deserves to learn, improve, and have fun. As coaches, we have the privilege of being able to help this happen.
• We have to ask our players how they feel to understand them better and cater to their specific wants and needs.
• I wonâ€t ever be tired if Iâ€m eager to live the day. Table tennis helps me want to live my days.
• I should share my passion for table tennis, as itâ€s one of the best things in my life.
• I would love to make table tennis a central part of my routine.

To finalize this article, I want to invite all of you to do the same task I did in the course, write 3 words that best describe yourself, your personal motto, and, if you want, share why you play table tennis with all of us ðŸ‚

Alvaroâ€s a qualified ITTF Level 1 Coach who’s been playing Table Tennis since he was 15 and is now ranked within the top 50 in his native Argentina. He loves to compete in provincial tournaments and is always looking for ways to improve. Alvaro made his favorite memories with a racket in hand, and he joined the RacketInsight team to share his passion with other players!

Blade: Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Forehand: Butterfly Dignics 09c | Backhand: Butterfly Tenergy 19
Playstyle: The Controller

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