Zhang Jike beaten by Taku Takakiwa at the Austrian World Tour Table Tennis tournament

The World and Olympic Champion, Zhang Jike of China was sensationally beaten by the much lesser known Taku Takakiwa in the Quarterfinals at the Austrian Open at Wels. Takakiwa won 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 13-11.

Zhang Jike seemed to be complacent even in the later stages of this match. You may recall that he already faced serious problems against Takakiwa's team-mate, Kenta Matsudaira, where it took him a decider to win. No doubt that Takakiwa took some useful notes from that match.

Watch the video of Zhang Jike vs Taku Takakiwa by TableTennisEvents here:


The Japanese player is a regular on the World Tour circut, but had nothing better than a semi-final showing in earlier World Tour or Pro Tour Table Tennis events. He employed a mix of unconventional blocks, loops, and aggression to win and reach the semi-finals, where he takes on another Chinese, Hao Shuai. Shuai has done very well this season internationally and also in the Chinese Table Tennis league. In the other semi-final, second seed Chuang Chih-Yuan plays Chinese young talent Fang Bo, who has been given an opportunity to prove his mettle on the international circuit.

Editor

England plays Spain Table Tennis match at Gateshead

The English and Spanish Women's teams square off at Gateshead in the qualification tie for the European championships. Kelly Sibley, Joanna Parker, Hannah Hicks (Coach Alan cooke), are expected to take on Shen Yanfei, Sara Ramirez and Galia Dvorak.

The venue is the Gateshead Leisure Centre and the date is 29 January. There are concessions on the ticket price for kids and for those over 60.

Editor

SPiN Vail Ping Pong tournament Part 2

Photo courtesy sneakpeakvail.com

The second edition of SPiN Vail will be held at the popular Colorado ski resort this Saturday. Anyone can participate. This year, the organizers have promised that the participants will get more time on the table compared to last year. The tournament is a fund raiser for Vail Symposium.

The tournament will have competitions in both singles and doubles and matches will be best of threes and then followed by round robin style of play. The tournament promises good prizes for winners.

SPiN Vail is modeled after SPiN Galactic, a chain of social Table Tennis clubs, where people meet, socialize, and play.

Sibu Table Tennis or Ping Pong

Temenggong Vincent Lau, the President of the Sibu Ping Pong Association is egging youngsters to put in more hard work and innovation to improve at Table Tennis.

It can be recalled that the Sibu team won 3 golds and Kuching won 15 golds at the State Championships.

Mr. Lau said that they are trying to find a Chinese Table Tennis coach, but he emphasized that youngsters themselves should try to find solutions on their own. Dr Clement Ting lauded players who also did well in academics.

Polkaroo shows Ping Pong skills

The spectacular and enigmatic Polkaroo was seen at a challenge playing Table Tennis!

Paralympic Table Tennis player

An action photo of a Paralympic Table Tennis player.

Photo courtesy londontown.com

TTFI supports Ajay Chautala after he is sentenced to 10 years imprisonment

The Table Tennis Federation of India supported it's President and Haryana MLA, Ajay Chautala, who was sentenced by a CBI court for 10 years imprisonment. The court ruled that Chautala was involved in a teacher's recruitment scam.

The federation said that Chautala did not plan to stand for re-election. TTFI has recently amended their constitution to adhere to the Sports Code by its Ministry.

Yorkshire Table Tennis Association

Chairman Bevan Walker
Telephone ********* (Contact Editor, www.TableTennisBug.com)

General Secretary Richard Hudson

Note: This information was retrieved in January 2013. There are no dates on the Web site. Please contact editor@tabletennisbug.com for latest information.

Leagues:

Dewsbury Table Tennis Centre
Heckmondwike Table Tennis Centre, Cemetery Road, Heckmondwike. WF16 9ED

Tel: 01924 403701

Huddersfield

Hudawi Table Tennis Centre
Great Northern Street, Huddersfield

West Somerset Table Tennis league fixtures

Roys Boys v Gnomads A    Bampton Village Hall  
Mon 28/01/2013
    
Mikes Muppets v Stogumber A    Alcombe Village Hall  
Tue 29/01/2013    

Swifts v Basement Dwellers    The Lawns  
Tue 29/01/2013    

Mishits v Wiveliscombe    West Quantoxhead Village  
Wed 30/01/2013    

Ping Pong tournaments in January Week 4 2013

Here are the main Table Tennis tournaments this weekend:

January Open
Davison   
MI   
1/26/2013

Minnesota State Championships    
Eden Prarie   
MN   
1/26/2013 - 1/27/2013

Maryland Giant Round Robin    
Eldersburg   
MD   
1/26/2013

Westchester 2013 January Open    
Pleasantville   
NY   
1/26/2013 - 1/27/2013

Winter 2012/2013 Sooner State Games    
Oklahoma City   
OK   
1/26/2013