- Potential Bidders Emerge for 2026 Split
- What AJ Styles And John Cena Accomplished At WWE Crown Jewel
- Tony Khan Explains Mercedes Moné’s Decision To Work The Independent Scene Outside Of AEW
- Thunder open as massive betting favorite to win NBA title
- Kings activate Corey Perry, place captain Anze Kopitar on IR
- Moxley and Darby speaking through prison window worked but then went over-the-top, Statlander’s journey still off path – AEW’S Top Promos of the Week
- WorldofVolley :: ITA M: Trento Dominates Cisterna, Perugia Triumphs Over Monza
- Shawn Michaels: WWE recruiting college athletes has made ‘night and day difference’
Browsing: Online
October 16, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis)
MLTT WEEK 3 PLAYER POWER RANKINGS
Major League Table Tennis†top Season 3 players arenâ€t the names you would expect. Some are rookies, others are improved players, and a few crack the top ten due to a few things they do very well. But these players have shaped not just their teams, but MLTT as a whole so far. Here are the 10 top players so far in Season 3.
1.ÂKang Dong-Soo: Portland Paddlers
Singles: 14-4 (77.8%)
Golden Game: 18-18
Power Rating: 784.1
The Portland Paddlers made a massive investment in Kang Dong-Soo, drafting the Korean doubles champion in the second round of the 2025 MLTT Draft. Itâ€s hard to imagine that Christian Lillieroos expected his rookie to contribute like this. When matches seemed lost — especially against the Los Angeles Spinners on Friday — Kang would come in, decimate his opponent, and turn the momentum. His 8-1 singles record in Week 3, as well as his Player of the Week honors for Week 3, further cement him as the best player in MLTT at this moment.
2.ÂKoki Niwa: New York Slice
Singles: 6-3 (66.7%)
Doubles: 4-2 (66.7%)
Golden Game: 12-10
Power Rating: 772.2
Koki Niwa is not a mere rookie. Heâ€s one of the most decorated table tennis players in Japanese history. Heâ€s a two-time Olympic medalist. He retired from international competition because he wanted to “pass the torch†to younger Japanese players, many of whom looked up to him. Now, heâ€s in MLTT. And he willed the Slice to a 2-1 record in Week 2, using the quickness and intensity that make him one of the best chop blockers in the world. Singles? Doubles? Heâ€s dominated both events at the MLTT level, and he did so with style.
🎤 MLTT Coach Interview: Romain Lorentz – Los Angeles Spinners
New Episode of Around The Net with Kanak Jha
Robert Gardos vs. Player of The Week
Kang Dong-Soo | MLTT Week 3 (Portland, OR)
Enzo Angles vs Kou Lei | MLTT Week 3
(Portland, OR)
Chicago Wind To Host Next Weekend
Major League Table Tennis hits Bensenville Oct 24–26 at Energy VBC. The home team Chicago Wind (Robert Gardos, Emmanuel Lebesson, Alex Cazacu, Sean Zhang, Daniel Tran, and Mo Zhang), led by coach Eric Owens, defend home court against the Portland Paddlers, Princeton Revolution, Chicago Wind, and one of the new expansion teams New York Slice.
Be sure to visit Tickets.MLTT.com to secure your seats.
All matches will be streamed exclusively on TableTennis.TV.
Subscribe to TableTennis.TV to take advantage of your first 30 days on us with the code: MLTT30
Chicago Wind Track Suit Jacket
The new seasonâ€s here – and so is the gear. Jerseys, tees, and more, built for whoever you rep.
Check the selection of the Chicago Wind!
 Stay “In The Loop†with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.
Share the post “Top players in MLTT after Week 3”
October 15, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTF)
Team China won the ITTF-ATTU 28th Asian Table Tennis Team Championships. That headline is not a surprise, but their path was not an easy one. China’s opening match was against the Islamic Republic of Iran and there were fireworks from Iran’s young star, Benyamin Faraji. Faraji, at just 15 years old, started the team competition off with a 3-2 upset win over World No. 2 Lin Shidong.  Shidong won the first game, Faraji then took three of the next four in exciting fashion with 12-10, 11-8, and 11-9 scores in his three wins. Alamiyan Noshod won his first game against Liang Jingkun, for a short time matching the enthusiasm and excitement of Faraji. This time, however, it was Jingkun who won three tight games (at 13-11, 11-8, and 13-11). Iran fought admirably from that point forward, but it was decided – and China won 3-1.
A day later, Japan added an additional scare – winning the first two matches 3-2 before losing the next three matches 2-3. The two wins were Tomokazu Harimoto over Liang Jingkun and Sora Matsushima over Wang Chuqin. From that point forward, Japan only needed one win – but in each of the final three matches they fell one game short. China wins 3-2 and moves on to the Final.
The other Semifinal was an upset with Hong Kong topping Taipei 3-2. Taipei played without their highest ranked player, Lin Yun-Ju. Ultimately, it came down to the final match and a strong come-from-behind finish by Baldwin Chan. The win sent Hong Kong into the Final to face China – where the much lower seeded Hong Kong squad fell 0-3.
China wins – but this was one title that required real work.
Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.
Share the post “China Wins Asian Championships”
October 15, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT)
Hugo Calderano topped Kanak Jha in the Men’s Final and Adriana Diaz’s upset in the Women’s Final blocked a Brazil sweep of singles titles as action continued today in the ITTF Pan American Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Both the Semifinals and Finals were played on Wednesday. In Men’s Singles, top seed Hugo Calderano won three games before Nicolas Burgos mounted his comeback. In the end, the final blow was an 11-5 win in the sixth game giving Calderano a 4-2 win. USA’s Kanak Jha dominated the other Semifinal with a 4-0 win over Horacio Cifuentes of Argentina. The Final was played a few hours later, and it took Jha several games to match Calderano’s energy. Calderano won two games easily 11-6 and 11-6 before three tight games. Jha won the third game 11-9, Calderano won the fourth game 12-10, and Calderano closed out the match with an 11-9 win in the fifth (a 4-1 win).
The story of the Women’s draw is the dominant performance of Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz. Diaz won all four of her matches 4-0. Diaz entered the event as the second seed behind Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi. In fact, the top four seeds each advanced to the Semifinals. Takahashi Bruna defeated Canada’s Mo Zhang 4-2 in the top half of the draw. It was at that point that Diaz started her amazing final run – defeating USA’s Lily Zhang (the 3rd Seed) 4-0 in the Semifinal and then dominating Takahashi 4-0 in the Final.
The Doubles Finals have already been played. The Brazilian team of Leonardo Iizuka and Guilherme Teodoro won Men’s Doubles. The Argentinian team of Lucia Cordero and Hidalynn Zapata won Women’s Doubles.  In Mixed Doubles, it was Brazil again – the two top seeded Singles players teaming up with Hugo Calderano and Bruna Takahashi taking the title.
The Teams competition begins tomorrow, with the Finals scheduled for this weekend.
Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.
Share the post “Pan Am Championships: Calderano and Diaz Win Singles Titles”
October 14, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT)
Singles started on Sunday, with top seeds in action on Monday. at the ITTF Pan American Championships in Rock Hill, SC. Top seed Hugo Calderano won his first two matches 4-0 and 4-1 to advance to face USA’s Sid Naresh in one Quarterfinal matchup. In the second section of the draw, USA’s Nandan Naresh fell to Nicolas Burgos and Canada’s Eugene Wang fell to Brazil’s Felipe Arado to set up a Burgos-Arado matchup on Tuesday.
In the bottom half of the draw Argentina’s Horacio Cifuentes topped Puerto Rico’s Angel Naranjo 4-2 and Brazil’s Leonardo Iizuka defeated USA’s Jishan Liang – leaving Cifuentes and Iizuka to battle Tuesday afternoon. And in the bottom section of the draw, USA’s Kanak Jha defeated Brazil’s Guilherme Teodoro 4-2 and Gustavo Gomez of Chile defeated Marcos Madrid 4-2 to set up the final Quarterfinal matchup (Jha-Gomez).
In Women’s Singles, 7 of the top 8 seeds advanced to the Quarters. Top seeded Bruna Takahashi will face USA’s Jessica Reyes Lai, USA’s Sally Moyland will face Canada’s Mo Zhang, and USA’s Lily Zhang will face Daniela Ortega of Chile. Second seed Adriana Diaz easily advanced winning her two matches 4-0 and 4-0. Diaz will face Chile’s Zhiying Zeng, who upset Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi 4-0.
The Quarterfinals of Singles and Doubles will be played Tuesday, with Team events starting at the end of the week and extending into the weekend.
Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.
Share the post “Pan Am Championships: Early Action”
October 13, 2025
(By Edgardo Vazquez/Bowmar Sports)
In top-level table tennis, every detail counts. The choice of rubber can be the difference between controlling a rally or losing the initiative. With the arrival of the new Zyre 03, Butterfly introduces an innovation that redefines the way offensive players can generate power and spin at the table.
The first thing that stands out about Zyre 03 is its short, dense pimple structure (Ricosheet), designed to offer superior grip and a more pronounced trajectory. This combination allows for confident lifting of sliced ​​balls, heavier spin, and a deep arc that keeps the opponent under constant pressure.
The use of a hard, extra-thick Spring Sponge X offers an immediate feeling of power. Players can feel the ball digging into the rubber, generating solid and precise contact. The result is greater control in rallies and the ability to finish points with penetrating and consistent shots.
In real-life match situations, Zyre 03 provides clear advantages:
• Heavier/more confident openings against underspin
• Greater consistency in long rallies
• Ability to maintain the initiative with deep, quality shots
• Confidence in closing points with power and spin
The new capabilities with this rubber are not only technical, but they are also strategic. Zyre 03 opens up new tactical possibilities: it allows for more aggressive point building and variation with heavy spin.
In conclusion, Zyre 03 is a rubber designed for the player looking to dominate with spin and power, expanding their playing style and elevating their performance in every match. From my experience as a coach, I can say that this Butterfly release represents a new standard for those who want to take their table tennis to the next level.
Â
 Stay “In The Loop†with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.
Share the post “Zyre 03: Redefining Power and Spin in Modern Table Tennis”
October 13, 2025
By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame
When you start out, the coach is the BOSS. If you are smart, you’ll do what he says. Sometimes you’ll have a coach that just doesn’t work for you, or perhaps he’s just not a good coach – and then perhaps you should switch coaches. But once you have a good and compatible coach, listen to the coach.
But as you advance in the sport, you become more experienced. As I’ve written in the past, if you want to become a good player, you have to become the world’s top authority on Your Game. As you approach that, your work with a coach becomes more of a collaboration. He’s the expert on developing table tennis players; you are the expert on your game. If the coach is a good one, he’ll listen to you, and you should listen to him – and then, working together, you can become the best you can possibly be.
Make sure to discuss your game with the coach. You need to both have the same vision as to where you are trying to go in terms of style and level. Take the long strategic view, and GO FOR IT!
Stay “In The Loop†with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.
Share the post “Tip of the Week – Your Evolving Relationship With a Coach”
October 12, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins)
With their location on Main Street in Port Washington, the Gold Coast Table Tennis Club is easily accessible to Long Island, Queens, and the Bronx in New York. The club is just a block from the Port Washington LIRR rail station, and easily accessible by other public transportation.  The club is 3500 square feet with 8 tables, 14 foot high ceilings and a G-floor surface.
The club offers national and regional tournaments as well as weekly leagues, and lessons. The club features group training sessions on Fridays with coaches Ahmed Elmallah and Fei Zhai, which are followed by a league. USATT League is every Friday night at 7:30pm.
The goal of Gold Coast Table Tennis is to offer a modern, professional and friendly club that caters to beginners and advanced players of all ages. The club is open every day – stop by and check them out.
Contact: https://goldcoastttc.com |  GoldCoastTTC@gmail.com
Location: 52 Main St (Rear), Port Washington, NY 11050
Hours: Mon-Fri 3pm – 9pm, Sat 11am – 7pm, Sun 11am – 6pm
Share the post “WAB CLUB FEATURE: Gold Coast Table Tennis Club”
October 12, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT)
The 2025 ITTF Para Pan American Championships wrapped up this weekend in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It delivered four days of fierce competition among the Hemisphere’s best para athletes with players from the US battling the top players from Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and many others.
Winners qualified directly for the 2026 World Para Championships – and that was the case for three Americans: Jenson Van Emburgh, Ian Seidenfeld, and Tahl Leibovitz. In Men’s Singles Class 3, Van Emburgh logged a 3-1 win over Gabriel Copola of Argentina in the Semifinals and a 3-1 win over Brazil’s Welder Camargo Knaf in the Final. Ian Seidenfeld upset the top seeded Ignacio Torres of Chile in the Semifinals before blanking Chile’s Matias Pino 3-0 in the Final of Class 6.  And in Class 9, Tahl Leibovitz defeated Argentina’s Eithan Skliarsky 3-0 in the Semifinals and then topped Lucas Dos Santos Carvalho of Brazil in the Final. Each of these three has now punched their ticket for Glasgow, Scotland – the host of the World Para Championships this Summer.
USA had a number of other participants as well. Samuel Altshuler was 1-1 in Men’s Singles Class 6, losing in the Semifinals. Logan Watson also fell in the Semifinals of his event – Men’s Singles Class 9. Randall Medcalf was less fortunate in Men’s Singles Class 10, losing in the Quarterfinals to second-place finisher from Chile.
Another American Gold Medal went to Tahl Leibovitz and Logan Watson in Men’s Doubles Class MD 18 as they defeated the top seeded Brazilian team in the Semifinals and the second seeded (also) Brazilian team in the Final.
Solid results across the board from TeamUSA – and one more step for three great candidates for Medals at the World Para Championships next Summer.
For full results and match details, visit the official ITTF results page.
Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.
Share the post “ITTF Para Pan Am Championships: Van Emburgh, Seidenfeld, and Leibovitz Win Gold”
October 12, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
The China Smash victory last year gives Wang Chuqin 10,900 ranking points, building a buffer of nearly 3,000 points ahead of No. 2 Lin Shidong. Shidong has 8,075 points, a 2,025 buffer between his spot and Hugo Calderano in No. 3. No other position in the Rankings is as safe, as most of the leads from one spot to the next are just a few hundred points – leads that could be overcome in a single event.
After Calderano, is Harimoto in fourth. Felix Lebrun gained two positions to move up to No. 5. The two players who Lebrun passed are Truls Moregard (now No. 6) and Liang Jingkun at No. 7. Benedikt Duda remains the top German player at No. 8. Xiang Peng holds No. 9. And Darko Jorgic rounds out the Top 10 at No. 10.
China, obviously, is the strongest nation right now with four players in the top 10 – including the two top spots. It is interesting to note that right now, they only have four players in the Top 20 and at many points over the last several decades there have been 6 or 7 Chinese players in that top echelon. France, Germany, and Japan all have three players in the Top 20 – and Korea has almost reached that level as Jang Woojin is No. 21 while he has two teammates in the Top 20.
Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.
Share the post “World Rankings: Chuqin Extends Lead, Lebrun Up 2 Spots”
October 6, 2025
What does your opponent do that most threatens you? it’s important to find this out as early in a match as possible – or, ideally, before the match begins. That’s why it’s important to scout out opponents, either by watching them live or on video, or asking others about them.
Once you know what their strengths are, it’s very simple: How can you nullify it? Because if you can’t, you’ve already lost.
To use a simple example, suppose a player is really good at serving backspin and then looping any long push. He’s unstoppable!!! Unless . . . you don’t give him that long push that he likes to loop. And at most levels, most players often just push serves back, over and over, even if the opponent is effective at attacking them.
Instead, figure out early on how to stop his strength. In this case, you have a number of options – and it’s always mind-boggling how so many players either don’t think of these things, or – more often – don’t think of them at the table, and only after the match figure it out. So, how would you stop this? If the serve is even slightly long, then loop it. (If you can’t, learn to.) If it’s short, then you have all sorts of possibilities. Flip. Push short. Push long but very quick off the bounce and fast and at a wide angle. Push long but super heavy or with varying spin at wide angles. Perhaps discuss it with other players or coaches, and they may have suggestions. Find what works!
If you can’t do what it takes to stop the opponent’s strength, then it’s up to you develop what’s needed to do so . . . for next time. Go to it!
 Stay “In The Loop†with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.
Share the post “Tip of the Week – Nullify Opponent’s Biggest Threat”