US Smash Marks Bold Step in ITTF's Mission to Ignite the American Market on the Road to LA28 - International Table Tennis Federation
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US Smash Marks Bold Step in ITTF's Mission to Ignite the American Market on the Road to LA28
The excitement is palpable as the inaugural WTT US Smash main draw begins in Las Vegas, bringing world-class table tennis to one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Beyond the spectacle, this event represents a defining moment in ITTF's long-term strategy to ignite the immense potential of the Pan-American market on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
"The addition of a new Mixed Team event to the Olympic programme already makes LA28 historic for table tennis," said ITTF President and IOC Member Petra Sorling. "But we dream bigger. We have three years to position table tennis at the heart of the United States sports landscape, and we aim to see our sport's growing momentum build across the Pan American continent."
Just four years ago, the ITTF made history by hosting the World Championships on US soil for the first time in Houston, Texas. The event was a resounding success, showcasing the passion and potential of the American audience. It served as a powerful revelation: the Americas represent the next great frontier for table tennis.
Building on that success, WTT Youth and Feeder events have continued to pave the way, bringing international competitions throughout the region. Today, World Table Tennis reaches another historic milestone by delivering America's first-ever Grand Smash, setting the stage for unprecedented growth and deeper engagement in this key market.
"Our goal is clear: to firmly establish table tennis in the world's largest sports market," said ITTF Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Dainton. "The US Smash is not just an event; it's a step towards a lasting legacy that will benefit our sport for decades to come."
This strategic vision extends beyond elite competitions. In 2025, ITTF Development will deliver over 30 activities across the Americas, continuing a record pace of grassroots efforts that already saw six international youth events in the region this year. Last year's World Hopes Week & Challenge in Paraguay stands as a testament to the Federation's commitment to empowering young talents who can follow in the footsteps of US stars Lily Zhang and Kanak Jha, Brazil's Hugo Calderano and Bruna Takahashi, and Puerto Rico's Adriana Diaz.
"Our progress is undeniable, built on strong partnerships with our Continental Federation and Member Associations. I extend my sincere thanks to USA Table Tennis, ITTF-Americas, and all Pan American associations who have joined us in this mission," added Sorling.
While unfortunately absent in Las Vegas, Calderano's recent triumph at the ITTF World Cup Macao 2025 and silver medal at the ITTF World Championships Finals Doha 2025 exemplify the rising potential of Pan American table tennis. Bruna Takahashi also reached the World Cup 2025 quarterfinals in Macao, and Kanak Jha secured the USA's best-ever Olympic run in men's table tennis by reaching the last 16 at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Meanwhile, Rio de Janeiro has been elected as the host city for the ITTF World Championships Finals 2029, underscoring the region's growing prominence.
All of this fuels ITTF's engagement with the LA28 organizers, as discussions continue on venue planning and creating unforgettable experiences for fans.
With stars from around the world set to light up Las Vegas in the coming days, the US Smash promises not only thrilling matches but a powerful step forward for table tennis in the Americas and beyond.
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Has anyone else been watching this ping-pong competition? I'm watching some of the games every day on TV. My wife and I play ping-pong at the recreational area beside our building, but really tame ping-pong compared to what you see in these championship games. We try to keep our rallies going as long as possible, rather than smashing the ball trying to win. China almost always takes the cake when it comes to ping-pont, even though the article above refuses to mention it.
United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action
(by Steve Hopkins , photo WTT)
Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the first WTT Smash series event to be held on American soil. The world’s best are in Las Vegas, and five Americans (one by ranking and four wild cards) will see knock-out round action. The first half of the Round of 64 was played on Sunday where six of the 16 matches played ended with tight 3-2 scores. Unfortunately for American fans, Kanak Jha was on the short end of one of those tight matches – falling behind 0-2 to Lee Sang Su of Korea, then fighting back to event the score before falling 2-3. This was not a real upset, just a tough draw for World No. 27 Jha who fell just short against World No. 30 Lee.
The biggest news of the first day was Frenchman qualifier Lilian Bardet (World No. 85) who took out Liang Jingkun (World No. 5). Jingkun was overpowering in the first game. Bardet played very carefully in the second game, mixing the pace – playing soft shots by default and then one big swing and then back to being careful. The strategy changed the dynamic of the match and the two played largely even to a 2-2 tie, and in the final game Jingkun seemed to lose some feel, uncharacteristically missing some easy shots and then struggling as he was forced to play from behind. A great win for Bardet who now moves on to face Ricardo Walther.
The first day was a good day for two other French players as well. Felix Lebrun outlasted Shunsuke Togame 3-2, and Simon Gauzy blanked Aditya Sareen 3-0. Those two will face each other on Tuesday in the Round of 16. Two other French players are set to compete today with Thibault Poret drawing top seed Lin Shidong, and Alexis Lebrun a heavy favorite against Milosz Redzimski.
Other big names in action on Sunday included Wang Chuqin, Dang Qiu, and Darko Jorgic who all advanced easily. Two other upsets included Liam Pitchford who upset Chen Yuanyu 3-1 and Omar Assar who topped Anton Kallberg 3-2.
Lots of quality table tennis on tap all week long with the Final scheduled for next Sunday.