Browsing: London

October 16, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

Powerhouse China lead the list of 16 Asian nations to qualify for the centenary ITTF World Team Championships 2026 in London.

Both the menâ€s and womenâ€s teams are defending champions and therefore did not need to qualify for London, but both took their customary continental titles at the Asia Championships in Bhubaneswar, India.

Among the other nations to qualify both menâ€s and womenâ€s teams are Japan, South Korea, India, Chinese Taipei, North Korea and Malaysia (pictured above).

The full list of qualifying nations is:

Men
China (reigning world champions)
Regional champions:Bahrain (west Asia), Kazakhstan (central Asia), India (south Asia)
Via continental championships: Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, North Korea, Iran, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Qatar, Mongolia, Uzbekistan

Women
China (reigning champions)
Regional champions:Syria (west Asia), Kazakhstan (central Asia), India (south Asia)
Via continental championships:Japan, Singapore, South Korea, North Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Macau, Mongolia

Although China winning both continental titles is not a surprise, the menâ€s team had an almighty scare in an incredible semi-final against Japan.

Every match went to five games and China had to come from 2-0 down to take their place in the final. Tomokazu Harimoto (WR 4) put Japan in front by beating Liang Jingkun 12-10, 11-13, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9 and Sora Matsushima (WR 16) then sunk world No 1 Wang Chuqin 8-11, 11-4, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7.

World No 2 Lin Shidong started the comeback as he beat Hiroto Shinozuka (WR 31) 12-14, 11-2, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6 and Wang then beat Harimoto 8-11, 11-1, 11-9, 13-15, 11-8.

World No 7 Liang then clinched the gold as he came from 2-1 down to beat Matsushima 8-11, 13-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-3. China went on to defeat Hong Kong 3-0 in the final.

In contrast, Chinaâ€s women came through to take the title without dropping a game, culminating in a 3-0 win over Japan in the final. The team tournaments at the continental championships in Africa and the Americas will finish on Sunday, with eight nations in each gender from each continent earning a place at London 2026.

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October 16, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

The continental championships currently taking place around the world will see a total of 52 teams book their places at next year’s ITTF World Team Championships in London.

There are 16 spots in each gender available via both the Asian Championships and European Championships, with eight in each of the African and American Championships.

The ITTF Oceania Championships has already taken place, with Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Tahitiâ€s menâ€s teams earning their spots, as did Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Cook Islands in the womenâ€s competitions.

The team tournaments at the continental championships in Africa and the Americas will finish on Sunday. The remaining 12 places at London 2026 go to England as hosts, plus 11 places from the world team rankings.

Asia

Powerhouse China lead the list of 16 Asian nations to qualify for the centenary ITTF World Team Championships 2026 in London.

Both the menâ€s and womenâ€s teams are defending champions and therefore did not need to qualify for London, but both took their customary continental titles at the Asia Championships in Bhubaneswar, India.

Among the other nations to qualify both menâ€s and womenâ€s teams are Japan, South Korea, India, Chinese Taipei, North Korea and Malaysia (pictured above).

The full list of qualifying nations is:

Men
China (reigning world champions)
Regional champions:Bahrain (west Asia), Kazakhstan (central Asia), India (south Asia)
Via continental championships: Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, North Korea, Iran, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Qatar, Mongolia, Uzbekistan

Women
China (reigning champions)
Regional champions:Syria (west Asia), Kazakhstan (central Asia), India (south Asia)
Via continental championships:Japan, Singapore, South Korea, North Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Macau, Mongolia

Although China winning both continental titles is not a surprise, the menâ€s team had an almighty scare in an incredible semi-final against Japan.

Every match went to five games and China had to come from 2-0 down to take their place in the final. Tomokazu Harimoto (WR 4) put Japan in front by beating Liang Jingkun 12-10, 11-13, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9 and Sora Matsushima (WR 16) then sunk world No 1 Wang Chuqin 8-11, 11-4, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7.

World No 2 Lin Shidong started the comeback as he beat Hiroto Shinozuka (WR 31) 12-14, 11-2, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6 and Wang then beat Harimoto 8-11, 11-1, 11-9, 13-15, 11-8.

World No 7 Liang then clinched the gold as he came from 2-1 down to beat Matsushima 8-11, 13-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-3. China went on to defeat Hong Kong 3-0 in the final.

In contrast, Chinaâ€s women came through to take the title without dropping a game, culminating in a 3-0 win over Japan in the final.

Europe

Spain celebrate their qualification

France women’s 3-0 victory over Slovenia in the play-off for 17th position on Thursday night earned them the final qualifying spot.

With England finishing inside the top 16 but not needing to qualify, as host nation for London 2026, 17th place also earned a spot.

Third seeds France had a disastrous group stage, with defeats to both France and Netherlands consigning them to the play-offs. But victories over Wales, Turkey and Slovenia, all 3-0, meant they salvaged their tournament.

The full list of qualifying nations is:

Men
France, Sweden, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Croatia, Denmark, Poland, Greece, Serbia, Moldova, Turkey.

Women
Germany, Romania, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Slovakia, Austria, Czechia, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Ukraine, Spain, England, Serbia, France

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October 15, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

DONIC is the official table tennis table supplier for the upcoming WTT Star Contender London 2025.

The table model selected for the event is DONIC’s premium competition table tennis table, the DONIC Delhi 25 Table – Black Top, along with the DONIC Stress Table Tennis Net – Black.

DONIC President Frank Schreiner said: “We are proud that DONIC tables will be at the centre of the WTT Star Contender 2025 in London, and we are looking forward to collaborating with the WTT and Table Tennis England.

“This event provides us with a valuable opportunity to showcase our brand and products to a British audience and to support the athletes. We are honoured that DONIC will play such a significant role in bringing this event to life.â€

DONIC and UK Partner Topspin Sports, the Official Table Supplier for the WTT Star Contender London 2025, will provide a trade stand for the duration of the event from 21-26 October.

Spectators will be able to purchase an extensive range of DONIC table tennis equipment, merchandise and official event T-shirt. Topspin Sports staff will also be on hand at the stand to offer expert table tennis advice.

Topspin Sports Director, Tom Cutler said: “We are delighted to be partners with DONIC and working with Table Tennis England in providing the world-class table tennis tables for this exciting WTT Star Contender London event.

“We are a London-based specialist table tennis company and are very excited to see world-class table tennis come to this amazing city.  We look forward to welcoming spectators to our trade stand and watching some incredible table tennis.”

Final Tickets Prize Draw

In the run-up to the event, from now until Monday 21 October, every order placed on topspintt.com will be entered into an exclusive prize draw to win a pair of WTT Final tickets for the afternoon finals session on Sunday 26 October.

This is your shot to experience the electric atmosphere live!

More about the equipment

DONIC Delhi 25 Table Tennis Table – Black

• ITTF approved competition table with 25mm black top and perfect bounce of the ball
• Super-Compact (SC) construction with synchronised folding mechanism and comfortable handling
• Space saving construction for low storage dimensionsÂ
• High-quality steel tubing – designed for decades of use
• Delivery completely assembled
• Suitable for wheelchair table tennis
• Made in Germany
• Premium quality competition table tennis table

DONIC Stress Table Tennis Net – Black

• The DONIC net & post set classic for many years
• Very durable steel plated post, plastic coated.
• Strong tempered mounting screws.
• ITTF approved
• Post Colours: metallic silver, black
• Net colour: Black

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London’s Wembley Stadium isn’t the only unique location in which the Los Angeles Rams will be playing in this week.

The Baltimore Banner‘s Hayes Gardner reported last week that the Rams will spend the days leading up to their Week 7 game in London practicing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of MLB’s Baltimore Orioles.

The stadium featured a pair of partial fields, as seen in pictures by Kevin Richardson (via Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun):

The Rams were in town to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, a game they won by the score of 17-3. That game comes ahead of a game in London that will see the Rams take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rather than flying back to the West Coast in the intervening week, the Rams will remain in Baltimore before traveling to the United Kingdom, Gardner reported.

The Rams are expected to use the playing field at Camden Yards along with both the team and visitors’ clubhouses and dining areas, The Baltimore Sun’s Todd Karpovich reported.

The Maryland Stadium Authority approved the plan during board meeting on Oct. 7, per Gardner.

The Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium was initially discussed as an option to host the Rams, but stadium authorities expressed concern the field would be damaged ahead of the Ravens’ next home game against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26, Gardner reported.

The Rams gained access to the ballpark starting Saturday and lasting for one week, per Gardner. Karpovich reported the Rams will pay for staff, security and insurance while using the stadium.

There won’t be any scheduling conflict with the Orioles, which were eliminated from postseason contention in mid-September and played their final game of the MLB season on Sept. 28.

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October 10, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

Some of Englandâ€s hottest young prospects will step up to the big stage after being awarded wildcards for the WTT Star Contender London.

Jakub Piwowar, Larry Trumpauskas, Abraham Sellado, Kacper Piwowar and Max Radiven have been granted wildcards into the qualifying rounds of the Menâ€s Singles.

They will be joined there by seasoned campaigners David McBeath and Andrew Baggaley, plus young Seniors Joseph Hunter, Louis Price and Felix Thomis.

Tom Jarvis, Sam Walker, Connor Green and Paul Drinkhall are all elevated from the qualifying rounds into the main draw as wildcards.

In the Womenâ€s Singles, Anna Green gets wildcard for the qualification stage, while Tin-Tin Ho and Tianer Yu are elevated to the main draw.

Sophie Earley, Ella Pashley, Jasmin Wong, Mari Baldwin and Sienna Jetha had already been confirmed in the qualification stage.

The qualifying rounds are on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 October at the Copper Box Arena, with the main draw beginning on Thursday 23 October.

As well as English athletes, a number of international stars have been given wildcards.

In the Menâ€s Singles, Japanâ€s Mizuki Oikawa (WR 53) will be in the main draw, while Uzbekistanâ€s Doniyor Makhamov and Romaniaâ€s Hunor Szocs get a place in qualifying.

In the Womenâ€s Singles, Japanâ€s Miyu Nagasaki (WR 14) joins several of her high-ranked compatriots in the main draw, while Mille Stoffregen of Denmark gets a wildcard into qualifying.

What about the doubles competitions?

We already know GB star Anna Hursey is partnering Romaniaâ€s European No 1 Bernadette Szocs in the Womenâ€s Doubles, with the pair elevated into the main draw thanks to a wildcard.

Ho & Earley receive a wildcard into the main draw, while South Koreaâ€s Yoo Siwoo & Lee Zion are in the qualifying rounds.

With regular Mixed Doubles partner Liam Pitchford injured, Hursey will partner Paul Drinkhall. The pair have a wildcard into the main draw. Walker & Ho will start in the qualifying stage.

In the Menâ€s Doubles, Walker & Drinkhall, plus Jarvis & Green, are in the main draw, with a wildcard also awarded to Portuguese pair Tiago Apolonia & Marcos Freitas.

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And so the revamp of The Hundred begins, the sign of what the competition may be like following more than £500m of investment.

The consortium that paid most for a stake in any of the eight teams, the Tech Titans, have poached the most sought-after coach on the franchise circuit. In doing so, they reunite Andy Flower with Spirit director Mo Bobat, the pair that finally delivered the Indian Premier League title to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The last two of the eight investment deals were due to be completed this week and an announcement is thought to be imminent.

The Ambani Family, owners of IPL outfit Mumbai Indians, have paid around £60m for a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles. Cain International, co-founded by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, is spending about £40m for the same share in Trent Rockets.

Flower’s move could be the tip of the iceberg for players and coaches. The man he is replacing at Spirit, Justin Langer, would seem a natural fit for Manchester Originals, who have sold a majority stake to the owners of Lucknow Super Giants, Langer’s IPL team.

In the men’s competition in particular there is expected to be a huge shake-up of playing squads, with an auction then used to select players.

Franchises might be allowed to retain as few as four of their current playing group, possibly adding a limited number of direct signings before the auction. This would particularly impact the Invincibles, who have won the past three men’s Hundred competitions.

Greater investment in The Hundred is expected to attract big name men’s overseas players and one star attraction who could be involved in 2026 is Ravichandran Ashwin.

Whereas Indian men are barred from overseas leagues so long as they are playing international cricket or the IPL, legendary off-spinner Ashwin has retired from both. The 39-year-old is due to play in Australia’s Big Bash this winter.

Ashwin’s arrival could signal the arrival of other Indian megastars. Rohit Sharma is another who could be coming to the end of his time in international cricket and the IPL. Virat Kohli has a home in London, and London Spirit have just strengthened ties to his RCB.

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September 25, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

Extra tickets are now on general sale for WTT Star Contender London – giving you more opportunity to see some of the worldâ€s best players in action!

Due to exceptional demand, weâ€ve increased capacity for the weekend sessions. This is your chance to see Olympic medallists and top-20 world-ranked players going for glory at the iconic Copper Box Arena, the Box That Rocks of London 2012 fame!

The tickets are for the weekend of 25-26 October as the competition comes to a pulsating close with doubles finals on Saturday and singles gold medal matches on Sunday.

As well as tickets to a single session, which start from £27 for adults and just £10 for children, there is also the option to buy a day ticket to both sessions on the Saturday or both sessions on the Sunday – or a weekend pass covering all four sessions across the weekend.

Tickets are also still available for the first four days of competition from Tuesday 21 to Friday 24 October. Come and cheer on our home-grown talents as they aim to reach the main draw, or watch the top-ranked players get their campaigns under way in the early rounds.

Where are tickets on sale and how much do they cost?

Tickets are on sale on the Ticketmaster platform.

Pricing varies according to session, starting at £12 for adults for the qualifying days on 21-22 October, up to £32 to see the singles champions crowned on Sunday 26 October. Saturdayâ€s play is also set to include doubles finals.

Childrenâ€s tickets are never more than £10 and are only £5 for every weekday session.

Your guide to the sessions and prices is as follows:

  Round(s) â€¯Session Adult Kids Tue 21/10/2025 Qualifying All Day Â£12 Â£5 Wed 22/10/2025 Qualifying Morning Â£12 Â£5 Wed 22/10/2025 Qualifying Afternoon Â£12 Â£5 Thu 23/10/2025 R48 Morning Â£17 Â£5 Thu 23/10/2025 R48 Afternoon Â£17 Â£5 Fri 24/10/2025 R32/QF Morning Â£22 Â£5 Fri 24/10/2025 R32/SF Afternoon Â£22 Â£5 Sat 25/10/2025 R16/Final Morning Â£27 Â£10 Sat 25/10/2025 QF/Final Afternoon Â£27 Â£10 Sun 26/10/2025 Semi-Final/Final Morning Â£32 Â£10 Sun 26/10/2025 Final Afternoon Â£32 Â£10

Donâ€t miss this landmark event – get your tickets today!

What about London 2026 World Championships tickets?

Tickets for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London will go on sale later this year.

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Virat Kohli (R) with Anushka Sharma (in cap) in London. (Image: Trend_VKohli/X) Former India cricket captain Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma were recently spotted in London, as shared by a fan account on social media. The 36-year-old cricketer has been in London with his family since early June following his successful IPL 2025 campaign where he led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first title victory.Kohli, who retired from T20 internationals after India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa, is currently not participating in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. His last cricket appearance was in IPL 2025, where he emerged as RCB’s highest run-scorer with 657 runs across 15 matches, including eight half-centuries.

Virat Kohli in London. (Image: Trend_VKohli/X)

The pictures of Kohli and Anushka’s London outing were shared by the fan account @Trend_VKohli, showing the couple spending time in the city. Kohli is expected to make his return to cricket in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled to begin on October 19 in Perth.

Virat Kohli in London. (Image: Trend_VKohli/X)

In recent cricket discussions, England spinner Adil Rashid shared his perspective on bowling to Kohli compared to Pakistan’s Babar Azam during an appearance on the ‘Beard Before Wicket’ podcast.”For me, who I found more difficult to bowl to would be Kohli purely just because of the game situations firstly. He can put pressure back on the opposition, not only by hitting fours and sixes but you know you need to get him out because if he is chasing, if he stays for 10-15 overs it’s going to be the game,” Rashid stated.

Virat Kohli (R) with Anushka Sharma (in cap) in London. (Image: Trend_VKohli/X)

Rashid further elaborated on his choice: “So you think lets get him out early. 70-80% percent of the time if he is chasing, you know they will win the game. Babar is not known for that. So I would say Kohli was the harder one to bowl to for me.”Throughout his cricket career, Kohli has established himself as one of the sport’s most accomplished batsmen. His career statistics span 550 matches across all formats, during which he has accumulated 27,599 runs at an impressive average of 52.27. His record includes 82 centuries and 143 half-centuries.

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Josh Barnett is set to face off against a fellow MMA veteran at his next Bloodsport event.

It was announced today that Barnett vs. Oli Thompson will be part of the card for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport: London on September 28. The show — which is the latest MMA-inspired pro wrestling event from Game Changer Wrestling and Barnett — is taking place at the Electric Ballroom and will air live on TrillerTV+.

Thompson is making his Bloodsport debut in the match. Nicknamed “The Spartan,” he is from the United Kingdom and has competed in MMA for the UFC, Bellator, KSW, and more. He is also a former strongman champion.

The power of two massive heavyweights meeting toe to toe threatens to crack the foundation of Camden Town.

One a former World’s Strongest Man competitor and MMA fighter.

The other, the youngest UFC Heavyweight champion of all time and a Catch Wrestler trained by Billy Robinson… pic.twitter.com/A18OOvX8UY

— ð•¿ð–ð–Š ð–‚ð–†ð–—ð–’ð–†ð–˜ð–ð–Šð–— (@JoshLBarnett) September 22, 2025

Barnett’s coming off a loss to Gabe Kidd at Bloodsport XIII this April. He did not compete at August’s Bloodsport XIV in New Jersey.

The Bloodsport: London card, largely featuring talent from the UK, has four matches announced so far:

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport: London (Sunday, September 28) —

• Josh Barnett vs. Oli Thompson
• Heddi Karaoui vs. Kevin Lloyd
• Ryan Davies vs. James Pharrell
• Lou Nixon vs. Chris Bungard
• Anthony Ogogo, Chris Ridgeway, Brett Semtex, and Mark Trew confirmed to compete
• Roy Wood of Snake Pit Wigan will receive a lifetime achievement award

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September 22, 2025 | Paul Stimpson

Eleven Olympic medallists, including one champion, head a star-studded entry list for the WTT Star Contender London at the iconic Copper Box Arena next month.

Top-20 world-ranked players from Japan, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong are heading our way, along with some of Europeâ€s strongest players, including the likes of Bernadette Szocs, Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Darko Jorgic and Anders Lind.

Englandâ€s top players will also be in action, along with Wales†Anna Hursey – and there is still the chance to put yourself at the heart of the action, with tickets still available for the early days of the competition, which starts on 21 October.

Who are the mega-stars heading to London?

The Olympic gold medallist heading to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is Japanâ€s Mima Ito (WR 8), who won the Mixed Doubles title alongside Jun Mizutani in her home nation in the delayed 2020 Olympics.

Ito has no fewer than four Olympic medals, having won Womenâ€s Team silver in Paris last year, as well as Womenâ€s Singles and Womenâ€s Team bronzes in 2020.

Mima Ito on top of the podium with Jun Mizutani at Tokyo 2020

She spearheads a world-leading contingent from Japan who are inbound for London, with siblings Tomokazu and Miwa Harimoto likely to be top seeds in the respective Menâ€s Singles and Womenâ€s Singles events.

Both are also Olympic medallists – Tomokazu (WR 4) having been in the bronze medal-winning Menâ€s Team in Tokyo and Miwa (WR 6) in the squad which took Womenâ€s Team silver in Paris.

Germanyâ€s Dimitrij Ovtcharov is one of the most decorated table tennis athletes of the modern era, having won six Olympic medals overall – team silvers in 2008 and 2020 and bronzes in 2012 and 2016, as well as singles bronzes in both 2012 and 2020. He also has five World Championships medals and a bulging collection of titles at European level, including 10 European Championships golds.

Dimitrij Ovtcharov on his way to bronze at Tokyo 2020

Also coming to London are Womenâ€s Singles bronze medallist from Paris, Hina Hayata (WR 13), and two-time team silver medallist Miu Hirano (WR 32).

The bronze medal-winning Mixed Doubles pair from Tokyo 2020 – Lin Yun-Ju (WR 11) and Cheng I-Ching (WR 15) of Chinese Taipei – further add to the stardust of the event.

South Koreaâ€s World No 17 Shin Yubin (Mixed Doubles bronze and Womenâ€s team bronze from Paris 2024), Hong Kongâ€s Doo Hoi Kem (WR 39; Womenâ€s Team bronze 2020) and Germanyâ€s Shan Xiaona (WR 64; Womenâ€s Team silver 2016) are the other Olympic medallists who have entered.

There is a stack of other high-ranking players who have the London date circled in their diaries, including No 1 female European player Bernadette Szocs (WR 16) of Romania and multiple Europe Top 16 champion Darko Jorgic (WR 10) of Slovenia.

World No 12 female Shi Xunyao of China and Franceâ€s world No 28 Prithika Pavade are in the Womenâ€s Singles entry list.

On the menâ€s side, top attractions include Denmarkâ€s Anders Lind (WR 14), Dang Qiu of Germany (WR 16) and Japanese trop Shunsuke Togami (WR 20), Sora Matsushima (WR 24) and Hiroto Shinozuka (WR 28).

Which home-grown talents are playing?

GB rising star Anna Hursey and a clutch of English athletes will test themselves against some of the best in the world at the WTT Star Contender London.

Hursey, still a teenager, has proved she belongs in stellar company, having recently impressed against world No 1 Sun Yingsha of China on her WTT Champions debut in Macao.

Anna Hursey takes on Sun Yingsha

She will be seeded into the main draw – the only British player to automatically be included in that stage after Tom Jarvis just missed the cut-off.

Jarvis is the highest ranked English male player in the field in the absence of the injured Liam Pitchford, and he is joined by Sam Walker and Connor Green, three of the quartet who will represent England at the European Championships just before the Star Contender.

Tin-Tin Ho leads the English female contingent, which features some exciting young talents keen to grab a chance to shine in exalted company. Tianer Yu, Ella Pashley and Jasmin Wong will feature after first representing England at the Europeans, and they will be joined in London by Sophie Earley, Mari Baldwin and Sienna Jetha.

More English players could still be added to the field, with wildcards yet to be confirmed.

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