The International Table Tennis Federation has signed a partnership agreement with Prague-based trophy company World Sport Design.
World Sport Design, who was also the Official Trophy Supplier of the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, will be the Official Trophy Supplier of the ITTF from 2016 to 2018, providing trophies for the ITTF Star Awards and ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.
On the cooperation, ITTF President Mr. Thomas WEIKERT expressed: “The trophies at the 2015 Grand Finals were very well-designed, and I am certain that World Sport Design will continue to outdo themselves and produce prestigious trophies fitting the Star Awards and World Tour Grand Finals. We are looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”
Table tennis players will be now fighting it out for World Sport Design trophies from 2016
World Sport Design President Mr. Jiri SMIDL said: “World Sport Design specializes in creation of luxury sports trophies, medals and design sets handmade from glass, precious metals and other materials. This is the start of a long-term cooperation with ITTF, other national federations and sport event organisers. We anticipate the opportunity to deliver our design trophies to more events, with high quality awards to represent real and lasting value for the awarded.”
The race to the 2016 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals is on, as the 2016 ITTF World Tour kick starts on 20 January 2016 with the Hungarian Open.
The International Table Tennis Federation is excited to announce the nominees for the 2015 Male & Female Table Tennis Stars to be crowned at the 2015 ITTF Star Awards in Lisbon, Portugal on 9 December 2015.
The 2015 ITTF Star Awards, which will be in its third edition, will be held at the Lisbon’s emblematic city landmark – Patio da Gale, to celebrate the world’s best table tennis players’ achievements in 2015
The nominees in the running for the 2015 Male & Female Table Tennis Star Awards are:
Ma Long edges closer to his Grand Slam dream after 2015 Men’s World Cup victory!
Male Table Tennis Star presented by Seamaster, as nominated by the ITTF Athletes’ Commission:
FAN Zhendong (CHN) – 2015 Asian Champion
MA Long (CHN) – 2015 World Champion & 2015 Men’s World Cup Champion
Jun MIZUTANI (JPN) – GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals Champion
Dimitrij OVTCHAROV (GER) – 2015 European Games Champion, 2015 ITTF-European Cup Champion & 2015 ITTF-European Championships Champion
Nomination video: https://youtu.be/khkMkpxmbpU
Ding Ning (CHN) QOROS 2015 World Table Tennis Championships Winner photo credit ITTF Media
Female Table Tennis Star presented by Nittaku, as nominated by the ITTF Athletes’ Commission:
DING Ning (CHN) – 2015 World Champion
Kasumi ISHIKAWA (JPN) – GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals Champion
LIU Shiwen (CHN) – 2015 ITTF Women’s World Cup Champion
Petrissa SOLJA (GER) – 2015 ITTF Women’s World Cup bronze medalist
Nomination video: https://youtu.be/jzI2KZufOEg
Upon the nomination, world number one Ma Long shared, “It’s an honor for me to be nominated this year, and I’m glad that my efforts are being seen and recognized by the ITTF. 2015 has been a fruitful year, and I hope to keep up with my good performance this year in the future!”
Fans can now vote for their star player of 2015 athttp://bit.ly/15StarAwardsVoting. Voting will end on 25 November 2015.
Fans’ voting results will be combined with the judging outcome by an expert panel which will include their peers and the media to determine the Table Tennis Stars of 2015!
In addition to the Male and Female Table Tennis Stars, 6 other awards will be handed in Lisbon:
Male Para Table Tennis Star presented by Tinsue
Female Para Table Tennis Star presented by Stag International
Table Tennis Star Coach presented by Butterfly
Table Tennis Star Point presented by DHS
Table Tennis Breakthrough Star presented by TMS International
Table Tennis Fair Play Star
The nominees for these awards will be announced in the coming weeks.
Lisbon, Portugal has won the bid to host the most lucrative table tennis event on earth, the GAC Group 2015 World Tour Grand Finals.
The year-ending finale of the 23 ITTF World Tour events will be held on 10-13 December 2015 in the Portuguese capital.
Together with the World Tour Grand Finals, Lisbon will also host the third edition of the ITTF Star Awards, which will celebrate the world’s best players for their achievements in 2015.
International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF World Tour, Lagos Open, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos,
On the news, ITTF’s CEO Judit FARAGO stated: “ITTF is delighted to allocate the organization of the World Tour Grand Finals to Lisbon. This is the best momentum that the table tennis has had in Portugal, and the team is enjoying it’s most successful period of its history. The ITTF World Tour turns 20 years old this year and it is hard to imagine better place for the anniversary celebration than to have the Grand Finals and the ITTF Star Awards in Lisbon, a popular destination for visitors.”
Lisbon is no stranger to hosting major table tennis events, after successfully holding the TMS 2014 European Team Championships last year, where the Portuguese Men’s Team won their first European Championships title, much to the delight of the packed crowd.
The locals will be hoping for similar success in December, with world number 10 Marcos FREITAS and world number 22 Tiago APOLONIA looking to repeat their European success on home soil.
Ma Long powered his way to his 18th World Tour victory at the Kuwait Open.
An upbeat Portuguese Table Tennis President Pedro MOURA stated: “The Portuguese Table Tennis Federation is very proud and honored to be awarded by ITTF with the organization of 2015 World Tour Grand Finals. After the success of the TMS 2014 European Team Championships, we felt we should go for other important international events in order to retain the interest and attention of the Portuguese general public on our wonderful sport.”
“Being able to host the 2015 ITTF Star Awards in conjunction with the World Tour Grand Finals will turn all eyes on Lisbon as the World Table Tennis Capital in December. It’s a dream come true for us and the Portuguese Table Tennis Federation is finally matching the level of its best players. Just like when hosting the continental championships last September, we’ll do our best to turn these events truly memorable for all!”
16 men and 16 women who secured the most “Race to Lisbon” points over the 23 World Tour events qualify for the World Tour Grand Finals, as well as 8 men’s and 8 women’s doubles pairs, together with 8 men’s and 8 women’s under 21 players.
The GAC Group 2015 World Tour is split into three tiers (highest first): Super (6 events), Major (6 events), Challenge (11 events). The higher the series, the more prize money, world ranking points, “Race to Lisbon” points and higher quality of competition on offer.
The ITTF World Tour Grand Finals were held last time in Europe in 2011 when it served as test event for the London Olympic Games.
President, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Wahid Oshodi speaks on Aruna Quadri who has now become the toast of the Sports world.
HOW DID YOU MEET Aruna Quadri?
I first saw Aruna play at the table tennis event at the 2006 National Sports Festival. Playing for Oyo State this young boy lost a tight match to the African champion Segun Toriola playing for Ogun in the team event finals. I was very impressed by his determination. Even then he had an excellent forehand
What attracted you to him?
More than anything it was his humility and discipline. Always greeting everybody respectfully even his fellow players. He was always watching the senior players and wanting to learn. So I invited him to Lagos to play in some of our tournaments and he played well but more importantly his behaviour and comportment was worthy of note.
What are the things that make him different from other players?
With regard to his ability his forehand is an excellent weapon and over the years he has continued to develop it. It’s no surprise that his nickname is the “the forehand”. He works harder than most players and he learns from Better ranked players. He never gives up. But I think his greatest attributes are his discipline and willingness to learn.
Nigeria’s Quadri is biggest mover in ITTF latest ranking, now world’s 73rd
As a Lagosian, what prompted you to support an athlete from another state?
This is a question I am continuously asked. But in those days we were supporting quite a few players, many of them from Lagos but there was something special about him. We try to support the best talents in Nigeria regardless of where they come from. All the best players come to Lagos to ply their trade and you really must do the best for those who are serious and ready to develop themselves.
How easy has it been for you supporting him?
Supporting such a player who is willing to work so hard gives me great pleasure personally. In recent times due to his performances we are now putting together a team of sponsors who will help to continue to develop his career and by extension other players who show the potential and discipline to improve themselves. It is never easy spending money in light of other contending factors but Quadri’s case has been worthwhile.
Was there any time you wanted to quit supporting him?
Never. Like I said his hard work and comportment has always been beyond reproach. He is a great credit to his parents and all those people who have coached and worked with him over the years.
For years, you have been supporting him, why and what kept you going?
I believed he had the talent and the ability to get to the top. He has now surpassed a lot of people’s imaginations but not mine. There is still a long way to go for him. I believe he has the ability to be a top 10 player. He his still young and you know in Table Tennis most players get better with age. He still has some work to do on his game. He knows that and he is willing to do the hard work that makes great players. There are still a lot of goals for him. The African title, All Africa and who knows an Olympic medal in Rio is not out of his reach, especially with the excellent form our men’s team are showing. But one step at a time.
Aruna Quadri recieving his NSA2014 Award
What type player is Aruna Quadri?
“the forehand” is one of the best attacking players in the world. He must continue to attack in his matches. Taking Zhan Jike ( the best big competition player in the world) to six games at the first time of playing him tells me there is more to come as long as he can keep his head down and work hard. He must listen to his coaches and the likes of Toriola who mentors him. All the international commentators describe his style as ferocious especially his big hitting forehand.
Looking at the feat achieved by Quadri in recent times, what are your conclusions?
The future is bright. He his already ahead of the targets we set at the beginning of 2014 but he must work hard to remain at that level. The African Senior Championships is next. But as you know the competition in Africa is at its strongest now. The experience of Toriola, Saleh and Lashen, coupled with the hard hitting attacking play of Omar and Khaled Assar. The young guns like Ojo Onaolapo, Omotayo,. The Chinese players from Congo. It won’t be easy but he has the ability to go all the way.
For how long will you continue to support him?
As long as he is doing the right things we will continue to support him. It is very competitive out there now and only those who show the required talent and discipline will continue to receive my support and that of the NTTF.
Aruna Quadri during the ITTF Star Awards at the Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa on January 7, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
How will you describe your relationship with Aruna Quadri?
he is like a younger brother to me and so are many of our players but you know we have been working together for a while and I am very proud of his achievements.
How do other players see you supporting Quadri?
All our players know that if they continue to work hard they will receive the same opportunities as Quadri. The likes of Kazeem Makanjuola, Tosin Oribamise, Sukanmi Oginni etc are all getting the needed international exposure now. It is up to them to seize the chance they get and continue to improve. At the end of the day it’s to their glory if they do well.
Do you regret supporting Quadri?
Not in any way.
What has been your most memorable moment watching Quadri during a match?
The Commonwealth games team event semi final when he beat the highly seeded Singaporean player. The fellow did not know what hit him. Quadri’s forehand worked perfectly In that game and of course losing to Zhan Jike in that World Cup quarter finals. Really impressive and heartwarming
How long do you think Quadri can last in the game?
He still has a long way to go. If you look at the great career of Toriola Oshonaike and Co, he his just starting out. We wish him the best in future years.
The world’s best table tennis players have put away their suits and dresses from the ITTF Star Awards and picked up their rackets for the beginning of the 2015 ITTF World Team Cup starting today in Dubai.
The biennial event invites the top 12 teams, which are made up of six continental teams who qualified as champions of their respective Continental Championships, an additional five teams who finished highest positions at the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships, plus one team from the host nation United Arab Emirates.
Defending champions China are the favorites in both the men’s and women’s to retain the title, but world number one XU Xin is wary of the emerging Portuguese team:
“Potentially, Portugal will be strong,” he said. “Germany had won the European Championships many times, but last year Portugal won so this means something has changed.”
China’s five-man squad consists of the top four players from the current world rankings, making them the front-runners in the event, but XU said the favorite’s tag comes with responsibility.
China sees Portugal as their biggest threat for gold at the World Team Cup
“As long as you are playing on behalf of China, you are always under pressure,” he said. “We have won many times and could still feel the pressure not only in games, but also in our trainings. That makes us try harder to win the title.”
Along with Portugal, Egypt who made a fairytale run to the semi finals in 2013 will be looking for another strong performance along with Germany and Japan.
Newly crowned 2014 ITTF Female Table Tennis Star and world number one DING Ning will lead the Chinese women’s team’s quest for gold. This task will not be easy, with Singapore, Japan and Romania all vying to cause an upset.
The playing system at the World Team Cup is the same as the team event of the Olympic Games. Each team selects three players, that plays in two singles matches, then doubles, followed by reverse singles, with the first team to win three games winning the match.
The first stage of the competition is a round robin, with the 12 teams being split into four groups of three. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout quarter finals!
From Dubai in United Arab Emirates (UAE) came another accolade for Nigeria as Aruna Quadri has been named the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Player of the year at the award ceremony held on Wednesday.
At the colourful award ceremony held at the Armani Hotel, Quadri claimed two awards ahead of players from Asia and Europe to get standing ovation from the guests that graced the occasion.
Aruna Quadri with other award winners during the ITTF Star Awards at the Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa on January 7, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The world’s number 30 ranked player was adjudged the best male player beating world number one, China’s Xu Xin and his compatriot, Fan Zhendong, who is the 2014 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist as well as Portugal’s Marcos Freitas, who is the 2014 European Team Championships winner and the first Portuguese player to be ranked top 10 in the world.
Also, Quadri’s crucial winning point against Olympics and World Champion, Jan Zhike of China at the 2014 ITTF World Cup was adjudged the best in the Star Point category at the second edition of the award.
An elated Quadri described yesterday’s award as the best in his career, while acknowledging the support he got globally from table tennis fans.
Quadri has moved from number 237 to number 30 in just nine months.
“This is the best day of my career and I want to thank the organizers for considering me for this. I also want to thank all my fans all over the world for their support because this is unbelievable for me and I promise to continue to work hard,” he said.
For the female star player of the year, China’s Ding Ning, 2014 ITTF Women’s World Cup winner and world number one defeated Feng Tianwei of Singapore, Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan and China’s Liu Shiwen, 2014 Asian Games champion to the award.
Other awards won at the ceremony include Para male star, para female star, star coach and fair play star of the year.
Aruna Quadri recieving is NSA2014 Award
The ITTF Star Awards is the official awards ceremony organised by ITTF since 2013. It is the most prestigious award aimed at recognising, honouring and celebrating the stars of table tennis, the athletes who have made table tennis their passion, career and life.
All the nominees for the awards attended the night of glitz and glamour, as athletes dressed up in their finest for the Awards Night.
Aruna Quadri during the ITTF Star Awards at the Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa on January 7, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tensions are building in Dubai, with the second edition of the ITTF Star Awards just one day away!
The DUBAI 2014 ITTF Star Awards will take place at the Armani Hotel, at the base of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which is a fitting location to honor the world’s best players on 7 January 2015.
There will be seven awards handed out to the world’s best players:
Male Table Tennis Star presented by Ping Pong Dubai
Female Table Tennis Star presented by Nittaku
Male Para Table Tennis Star presented by Tinsue
Female Para Table Tennis Star presented by Stag International
Table Tennis Star Point presented by DHS
Table Tennis Star Coach presented by Butterfly
Fair Play Star
Who will be crowned the 2014 Table Tennis Star’s in a night of glitz & glamour in Dubai?
The winners, who will be announced tomorrow, are determined by the Fans’ votes, combined with judging by an expert panel, including their peers and members of the media.
At the Armani Hotel, all eyes will be on who will be the Male and Female Table Tennis Stars!
As last year’s winners ZHANG Jike (CHN) and LI Xiaoxia (CHN) were not nominated, two new players will definitely emerge as the 2014 Table Tennis stars.
Will the African sensation Quadri ARUNA (NGR) be able to beat the more established stars of XU Xin (CHN), FAN Zhendong (CHN) and Marcos FREITAS (POR) to make history for Africa?
Will three World Tour victories for FENG Tianwei (SIN) be enough to overcome the strong competition from the other female table tennis star nominees of Kasumi ISHIKAWA (JPN), DING Ning (CHN) and LIU Shiwen (CHN)?
The 2014 edition will include two new awards; the Table Tennis Star Coach, and the Fair Play Star, which rewards an act of Fair Play in the 2014 season.
To calm the nerves, the top Chinese table tennis players XU Xin, MA Long, ZHANG Jike, DING Ning, LIU Shiwen and LI Xiaoxia joined the huge crowds gathered at Dubai Mall today to play at the inaugural Ping Pong Dubai Festival. The Dubai-sponsored Chinese National Table Tennis Team were the star attraction of the Festival, hosting master classes and meeting fans during the one-day event at Dubai Ice Rink.
After the glitzy ITTF Star Awards and fun-filled Ping Pong Dubai Festival, it is back to competitions at the 2015 ITTF World Team Cup, where 12 top National teams will be fighting for the prestigious title of World Team Cup champions, from 8 to 11 January 2015 at the Al Nasr Sports Club in Dubai.
With few hour into the New Year and few weeks to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships, the rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt will again resume in Cairo come January 23 to 29 and Nigeria’s hope, Aruna Quadri has opened up on his intentions to lead the battle against the Egyptians just like he did during the 2014 ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup where he defeated Egypt’s duo of Omar Assar and El-Sayed Lashin to clinch the title.
The Portugal-based player said in this interview that he is hopeful that Nigeria will halt the North Africans dominance. However, the Oyo State-born athlete also appealed to the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye and Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo to ensure that funds are provided for the team to be part of the tournament, which also serves as qualifiers for the 2015 World Championship in China.
Quadri Aruna Team Nigeria Table Tennis Squad member at Glasgow 2014
1. What are you looking forward to in Egypt?
As a member of the Nigerian team, I am looking forward to a better outing in Cairo. Egypt has been ruling Africa for years now and our men and women’s team are looking forward to stopping the Egyptians dominance. I have never won the African championships individual event in my career and winning it will make me happy in January and I seriously believed it’s possible and God will help me as am working harder for the war in Cairo.
2. Egypt has been dominating the tournament in the last five years, do you think Nigeria can halt the reign of the Egyptians?
Yes it’s true and I seriously believe that their dominance will end this month.
It’s not going to be easy for any team to defeat them due to the quality of players their team has got but it’s very possible if our team has the needed support.
Meanwhile, Tunisians and Algerians including the Congo Brazzaville are not walk over matches but we see these teams as a lesser threat to our campaign in Cairo next year.
3. How ready are Nigerian players for the tournament?
We are all ready for the war in Cairo due to the fact that everyone knows what’s at stake and we will all fight to retain our lost glory in Africa this time. Our federation has been working hard and this is the right time to compensate the great efforts of our federation president and members.
Just like we put a smile on his face at commonwealth games, we are all working harder as a team to make him the happiest man in January in Cairo and may God help us more than our imagination.
Aruna Quadri of Nigeria in action
4. Egypt’s Lashin is the men’s single champion, are you targeting the title?
As a matter of fact, the title with Lashin is still eluding me in Africa and winning it will make me fulfilled a little bit just like the way am targeting African games title that was won by Lashin’s compatriot Omar Assar in Maputo and winning the games individual title as well this year will make me fully fulfilled in Africa and it’s very possible with hard work.
5. How prepared are you for the competition?
I think I will be well prepared for the tournament, after the ITTF Star Awards in Dubai, I am going straight to Porto to join my team mates and practice for two weeks in the same venue that I prepared for the World Cup. Presently everyone is on holidays but I am not on holidays fully as am running day after day to keep fit and I wish myself and the entire team members best of the best of luck in our careers.
President, Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy believes Nigeria and Egypt will be title contenders at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships holding next month in Cairo.
The ATTF, who is still thrilled with the singular effort of Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri this year, believes the Portugal-based has the quality to clinch the ITTF Star Awards.
ITTF AFRICA
“I believe it is too much difficult for any country in Africa to dominate the tournament this year, owing to the high level of competition and close standard between the trio of Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville and Egypt”, said El-Salhy.
From the records of the tournament, Nigeria and Egypt have always dominated the competition. In 1985 in Alexandria and three years later in Lagos, Nigeria completed a clean sweep of titles; in 2004 in Mauritius, Egypt did exactly the same.
Now, for the forthcoming 2015 ITTF-Africa Championships, which starts in Cairo on Friday 23rd January, no nation is sure of leaving Egypt’s capital city on Thursday 29th January with a full house of titles? The ATTF is hopeful that Quadri will win the Male Table Tennis Star of the Year Award at the Dubai Star Awards Gala Dinner in early January.
“For sure, Quadri’s presence in Egypt will raise the level of competition in all the events”, added Khaled Ek-Salhy. “I am sure Quadri is planning to improve his standard and ranking in the New Year, as at the same time all other competitors from Egypt and Congo Brazzaville.”
Aruna QUADRI photo Photo credit: Ina Fassbender/ITTF
After his efforts on the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour and at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup, Quadri has become a name to note.
“It was a great pleasure for me personally and for the Africa Table Tennis Federation to have an African nominee for the ITTF Star Awards, especially Quadri Aruna, who is a nominee in two categories”, added the ATTF helmsman.
“I personally voted for him and asked all my close friends to do the same to promote the sport in Africa; let’s pray that the award finally goes to the right person.”
Khaled El-Salhy, photo credit ITTF
In addition to his nomination for the Male Star of the Year, Quadri Aruna is also nominated in Point of the Year; the instance being at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup when he stunned China’s champion elect, Zhang Jike.
A stunning performance and from Quadri no doubt more to come; in Cairo he will be a name to note; certainly he the principal challenger to host nation aspirations of a possible full house.
Again, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri is making global headline, as the African champion has been nominated for the 2014 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Awards.
Quadri, whose exceptional performance at the last World Cup in Dusseldorf, Germany moved him from 73 in the world to 30 was also at the weekend in United States named the second best player at the 2014 North American Table Tennis Teams Championships.
In a release by ITTF on Wednesday, Quadri was nominated in the male table tennis star of the year for the second ITTF Star Awards alongside, world number one, China’s Xu Xin and his compatriot, Fan Zhendong, who is the 2014 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist. Also nominated is Portugal’s Marcos Freitas, who is the 2014 European Team Championships winner and the first Portuguese player to be ranked top 10 in the world.
Quadri has moved from number 237 to number 30 in just nine months.
Aside being nominated in the male star category, Quadri’s crucial point against Olympics and World Champion, China’s Jan Zhike at the World Cup was also picked in the star point of the year category.
The award ceremony will hold in Dubai on January 7 at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the Armani Hotel.
According to ITTF, it is the state-of-the art venue for the Dubai 2014 ITTF Star Awards Evening, the second time the glamorous event has been staged, the first being earlier this year in the same Gulf state.
Proceedings will take place immediately after the 2015 World Team Cup.
Nominees for the female star are China’s Ding Ning, 2014 ITTF Women’s World Cup winner and world number one; Feng Tianwei of Singapore, who won three ITTF World Tour events in 2014; Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan, silver medalist at the 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships and China’s Liu Shiwen, 2014 Asian Games champion.
Other awards listed for the day include, Para male star, para female star, star coach and fair play star of the year.
Aruna Quadri recieving is NSA2014 Award
Voting has commenced for the award and fans can now vote for their star player of the year at 2014 ITTFStarAwards.com.
The voting will end on Wednesday 17th December 2014, while fans’ votes will be combined with judging by an expert panel, including their peers and the media to determine the Table Tennis Stars of 2014.
Meanwhile in far away United States, out of the 18 matches played at the 17th edition of North American
Table Tennis Teams Championships, Quadri only lose one to be named the second best player of the competition.
Quadri, who is a member of Joola’s three-man team, also inspired his team to second place at the tournament attended by top teams from China.
Quadri played alongside former world champion and Olympian, Jörg Roßkopf as well as Austria’s Chen Weixing in the Joola team.
Winning 17 of his matches, Quadri had play second fiddle to the Chinese star during the award ceremony for the top three players of the championship.
Over 207 teams made up of 825 players from all around the world played the three-day action packed tournament powered by JOOLA. The beautiful Gaylord National Hotel & Resort was the venue for this year’s competition.
The 207 teams were split into 13 divisions, from beginners to world class players. In the exciting final of Division 1, Atlanta International Table Tennis Academy 1 was crowned champions, defeating Team JOOLA, 3-1.
From the eight matches played by the Joola team, it was in the final encounter against Atlanta International Table Tennis Academy that the team dropped a game in the tournament attended by top Chinese players.
For their efforts, Quadri and his team was presented with a plague and $4000 for their efforts.
The organizers admitted that the presence of the African Champion added glamour to the tournament while his superb forehand, which has helped him to defeat some of the top rated players in the world thrilled the American fans.
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