Afshin Norouzi denied Extraordinary ability visa

Afshin Norouzi was denied an "extraordinary ability" visa. A Federal District Court judge ruled that the International Table Tennis player from Iran did not possess qualities that qualify him to be granted such a Visa.
Read more in the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/sports/olympic-table-tennis-player-afshin-noroozi-falls-short-in-work-visa-case.html?_r=0

What do you feel about this case?

Measuring space with Ping Pong balls!

Is this a top Table Tennis player carrying multi-balls for a practice session? No, it is Ford, the car company that uses ping pong balls to measure random storage spaces!

Never give up! Table Tennis with feet

Appreciate the spirit of never giving up. This boy plays Ping Pong with his feet! The indomitable human spirit in action again.

Social Ping Pong

Social Ping Pong is fast gaining popularity. People meet, socialize, have fun and play Table Tennis. What do you think it will do to the traditional game?

Amalraj shines at the German Open Table Tennis Tournament

India's National Champion Anthony Amalraj, had a good performance at the recently concluded German Open tournament (won by Olympic medallist Ovtcharov who best Timo Boll). Amalraj lost in the 2nd round of the main draw to the eventual winner. Sharath Kamal lost to Fedor Kuzmin. Amalraj had topped his qualifying group and beat two good players in the main draw, including 84th ranked Simon Gauzy, the talented Frenchman.

Zhang Jike luxury sports car

No money in Table Tennis? Take a look at Table Tennis Champ Zhang Jike's relatively new toy. He drives a luxury sports car!

Timo Boll, Ovtcharov reach German Open Table Tennis semi finals

Host star players, Timo Boll and Dima Ovtcharov reached the Semi-finals of the German Open Table Tennis tournament. Timo Boll beat Japan's Koki Niwa  11-4,11-7,11-9,11-3 while Ovtcharov overcame Zhan Jian 11-9, 11-5, 11-8, and 11-4.

Noshad Alamiyan and Petrissa Solja won the U-21 Boy's and Girls singles titles.

Noshad defeated Omar Assar 7-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6, 13-11 while Petrissa beat Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.5 seed 11-9, 9-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11. In the Men's singles, Noshad lost in straight games to Timo Boll.

Zhang Jike tattoo Persistence

Zhang Jike personifies the word persistence, which he has tattooed prominently on his back. He was out of the China team for disciplinary reasons, but came back with a vengence to claim the World and Olympic championship Table Tennis titles.

Michael Maze beats Sharath Kamal

Sharath Kamal keeps India's stamp in the Professional Table Tennis world. He recently faced Michael Maze of Denmark in the Euro Asia all stars tournament at Vendée, France. Although Sharath lost 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9, he put up a good fight and had chances to equal it at 2-2.

Asia emerged the overall winners in the contest held over 2 days (11-9).

Results:

Saturday 27th October 2012:  
EUROPE 4-1 ASIA
Michael Maze v Sharath Kamal Achanta 7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9
Adrian Crisan v Kazuhiro Chan 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-4
Dimitrij Ovtcharov v Jiang Tianyi 11-8, 9-11, 11-2, 11-5
Vladimir Samsonov v Ryu Seungmin 11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7
Adrien Mattenet v Li Ping 4-11, 5-11, 9-11

Sunday 28th October 2012:  
EUROPE 2-3 ASIA
Michael Maze v Li Ping 6-11, 10-12, 6-11
Adrien Mattenet v Kazuhiro Chan 12-10, 9-11, 9-11, 5-11
Vladimir Samsonov v Jiang Tianyi 8-11, 7-11, 11-13
Dimitrij Ovtcharov v Ryu Seungmin 11-8, 11-7, 11-6
Adrian Crisan v Sharath Kamal Achanta 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6

Burning Karma - Sharath Kamal art by Mike Mezyan