2021 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals
Date: 23 to 29 November 2021
Houston, USA
Important Documents
Prospectus – Draw Schedule Updated 20 November 2021
Playing System – updated 11 October 2021
COVID-19 Protocols – updated 27 October 2021
Players Lists
Singles: Men – Women (Men’s Singles List & Women’s Single Updated 20 Nov)
Doubles: Men – Women – Mixed (Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles Updated 20 Nov)
Draws & Results
Media
Accreditation upon request submitted to media@ittf.com
Online Entry System
Ticketing Information
VISA Information
Schedule
Practice Schedule
Claudia Herweg Elected New President of DTTB
Claudia Herweg was elected President of the German Table Tennis Association (DTTB). She is the 13th person to hold this office and the first woman since the DTTB’s founding in 1925.
“I would like to congratulate Claudia on her election,” said ITTF President Petra Sörling. “Claudia was the Head of the ITTF Equipment Department and has built a strong team around her. She is a key member of the table tennis family, and we are certain her dedication and leadership will deliver lasting benefits to our sport in Germany.”
“I am looking forward to collaborating with Claudia in her new role. Unity was also one of my campaign’s pillars. I want to unite the membership and engage in discussions with the Member Associations to secure table tennis’s position as one of the world’s leading sports.”
Herweg has worked full-time in table tennis for 30 years including. As an active player, she used to play in the 2nd Bundesliga and worked as a coach with one of the biggest German regional associations.
“We have to improve in many areas, and this can only be done together,” said Herweg. “I feel that unity is essential because we have very challenging tasks ahead of us. Together we are much stronger, and we can better market our incredibly fascinating and diverse sport.”
The five DTTB regional associations with the largest membership proposed Herweg as a candidate. She was elected on Saturday 11 December during the DTTB Annual General Meeting with 204 votes in favour, two against and no abstentions.
Sun sets on Japan, Sora Matsushima and Miwa Harimoto rise to the occasion
Miwa Harimoto unbeaten throughout the whole seven days (Photo: ITTF)
he Land of the Rising Sun, on Wednesday 8th December at the 2021 ITTF World Youth Championships in Vila Nova de Gaia, the sun set on Japan.
Sora Matsushima and Miwa Harimoto won the respective under 15 boys’ and under 15 girls’ singles titles.
Following success against Singapore’s Izaac Quek Yong, the no.3 seed (11-8, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8), Sora Matsushima, the no.18 seed, secured the boys’ title at the hands of Poland’s Milosz Redzimski, the no.17 seed (11-5, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-7).
“I thought that it would be tough to win the title before the tournament started, but I played well, and now I’m really happy with the result. In the semi and final, I was able to play really well, so I was happy with that.” Sora Matsushima
Undoubtedly, Milosz Redzimski was very much a player in form. Earlier in the day he had overcome Frenchman Felix Lebrun the top seed and winner of the under 15 boys’ singles title earlier this year at the European Youth Championships in Varazdin (11-8, 6-11, 5-11, 14-12, 11-9, 11-6).
More impressive
Impressive from Sora Matsushima it was arguably even more impressive from Miwa Harimoto.
The no.16 seed, she beat Egypt’s Hana Goda, the top seed, to arrest the title (11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5).
“I am really happy with winning all events, it was one of my goals. I knew that Hana is really a strong player because we played doubles. However I could prepare well against her. In the final, I was nervous, I enjoyed playing and could play my best. Thanks so much for holding the event, I’m really happy with being here.” Miwa Harimoto
Earlier at the semi-final stage Hana Goda had overcome India’s Suhana Saini, the no.4 seed (12-10, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8); in a similarly imposing manner, Miwa Harimoto, the no.16 seed, had prevailed in opposition to Singapore’s Ser Lin Qian, the no.16 seed (11-6, 12-10, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7).
Defeat for Ser Lin Qian but with a degree of honour; she did what previously no other player was able to achieve. She extracted a game from Miwa Harimoto!
Incredible record
The record achieved by Sora Matsushima and Miwa Harimoto in Vila Nova de Gaia is quite incredible and will stand the test of time.
Together they won the mixed doubles, Sora Matsushima partnered Felix Lebrun to boys’ doubles gold, Miwa Harimoto the same in the girls’ doubles in harness with Hana Goda.
Overall Sora Matsushima lost just one match, that being at the semi-final stage of the under 19 boys’ team event against China when losing to Chen Yuanyu (11-4, 13-11, 11-4).
In total, over the seven days of action, the record read 16 matches played, 15 wins!
Staggering
Stunning; the record of Miwa Harimoto is even more staggering.
She guided Japan to gold in the girls team event, winning all five matches in which she competed, then she added a further five in the mixed doubles, three in the girls’ doubles and five in the girls’ singles.
The sum: 18 matches played, 18 wins.
One other fact to note, Sora Matsushima born in 2007 is eligible for the age group next year, Miwa Harimoto, born in 2008 is eligible for the next two years!
One step higher, gold for Steven Roman
Silver medallist two years ago when beaten in the final by Sweden’s Linus Karlsson, for the host nation’s Steven Roman, on Saturday 11th December at the ITTF Para Copa Costa Rica Bicentenario 2021, it was gold.
The 19 year old won men’s singles class 8.
Steven Roman, the men's singles class 8 winner (Photo: Joseph Gil Brooks)
by Ian Marshall
Occupying the top seeded position, he beat Marco Makkar of the United States (11-3, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3), to claim gold, an adversary who was no stranger; the previous day they had met in the initial group phase, Steven Roman prevailing in a similar manner (11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11).
Anastasia Kostenevich, women’s singles class 8-10 winner (Photo: Joseph Gil Brooks)
Success for the highest rated, it was the same in men’s singles class 10; at the final hurdle, Chile’s Manuel Echaveguren, the top seed, overcame El Salvador’s Melvin Muñoz (11-7, 11-6, 11-5).
Top seeds prevail
Likewise in the women’s singles competition, the top seeds prevailed.
In a group organised class 3-5 event, Colombia’s Nelly Sanchez finished ahead of Cynthia Ranii from the United States; in class 8-10, Russia’s Anastasia Kostenevich accounted Jessica Alzate, like Nelly Sanchez from Colombia to seal the title (11-4, 11-8, 11-5).
Minor surprises
Otherwise, to some extent unexpected names claimed gold.
Minor surprises, in the men’s singles competition, both occupying the no.2 seeded spot, Chile’s Maximiliano and Great Britain’s Daniel Bullen claimed gold; a feat also achieved by Chile’s Ignacio Torres, who reserved the no.3 seeded position.
All Chilean finals, in class 4 Maximiliano Rodriguez beat Cristian Gonzalez, the top seed (5-11, 12-10, 13-11, 11-1); in class 6-7 Ignacio Torres, after accounting for Colombia’s José Vargas, the no.2 seed (9-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7) secured the top prize at the expense of Matias Pino, the top seed (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5).
Good form from the Chileans; it was the same from Daniel Bullen; in a group organised class 5 event, he beat Ahad Sarand of the United States (10-12, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8, 13-11) to complete the event unbeaten.
“I played well. I’m more pleased with my final match because last time I played him it went to five sets and I lost. I feel like I played the way I’ve been playing in training, the hard work is paying off. It feels absolutely amazing to win my first gold medal and there is a lot of emotion for me because I’ve worked so hard and to finally win a gold medal means the world to me. I’m happy with how I turned it around in the last match and I’d like to say thank you to my team mates here who supported me and got me across the line especially when I went 2-0 down. Tthey got behind me and helped me to focus and to win the match. I’d also like to thank Matt Kenny for coaching me here and all the coaches that work with me back home.” Daniel Bullen
Unexpected outcomes
Somewhat different, not amongst the leading names, in the men’s singles, Chile’s Vicente Leiva claimed the class 1-3 title, Colombia’s Julian Chinchilla emerged victorious in class 9.
At the final hurdle, Vicente Leiva beat Costa Rica’s Geovanni Rodriguez (11-4, 11-7, 12-10). Earlier, at semi-final stage Geovanni Rodriguez, had accounted for Great Britain’s Rob Davies, the top seed and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games gold medallist.
“I’m obviously disappointed with losing as it is never nice to have a loss, but I’ve got to keep in mind why I came out here in the first place, just to get back into competition again. I think I achieved what I wanted it to do. The loss will just make me hungry and I can’t wait to get back and start working on what I need to. We’ve got a good stretch now leading up to the World Championships next year and I’m looking forward to challenging myself and seeing if I can get back to where I was before.” Rob Davies
However, the win cannot be considered a major upset, Rob Davies is a class 1 athlete, Geovanni Rodriguez is class 3; there is a substantial difference in the degree of physical impairment.
Repeat success
A worthy effort from Vicente Leiva; it was the same from Julian Chinchilla; as with Steven Roman a repeat success.
On the opening day of play in the group phase he overcame Puerto Rica’s Shaquille Rivera in one of the closest matches in the whole tournament (9-11, 8-11, 12-10, 12-10, 12-10), before rather less dramatically repeating the performance in the final (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10).
The team competition now follows, play concludes in San José on Sunday 12th December.
Five ITTF Member Associations receive Ping Pong Diplomacy Recognition
Peace Through Sport Dinner Houston
Five ITTF Member Associations - United States of America (USA), People's Republic of China (China), Republic of Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea), and Japan have received the Ping Pong Diplomacy Recognition for their remarkable contribution towards peace-making through table tennis in the past 50 years.
The Recognitions were awarded by the ITTF and ITTF Foundation at the Peace Through Sport Dinner Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy in Houston, Texas.
“Peace is not only the absence of conflict. We would like to recognise the significant role of the five Member Associations in Ping Pong Diplomacy during the last 50 years. Their dedication and effort in using table tennis for peace and understanding make them great role models for all ITTF Member Associations.” Thomas Weikert, former ITTF and ITTF Foundation President.
As the main organisations involved in the original Ping Pong Diplomacy event in 1971 and 1972, USA Table Tennis and China Table Tennis Association were the accelerators behind the friendly exchange that broke a nearly 20 years of no economic nor diplomatic relations between the two countries. Since then, not only have the USA and China kick-started collaborations and friendship, Ping Pong Diplomacy has also become a worldwide known term for creating dialogues and building bridges through table tennis.
In addition, China Table Tennis Association was also recognised for its generosity in sharing its table tennis skills with other countries since 1971.
“As the inspiration of the famous motto Friendship First, Competition Second, we would also like to recognise China Table Tennis Association for traveling all over the world to share their expertise. The first training camp was joined by Australia, Canada, Colombia, England, Nigeria, and many more that were done not only in their home countries.” Leandro Olvech, ITTF Foundation Director.
In the past 50 years, Ping Pong Diplomacy has proven to be more than the Sino-American relationship, it is the platform to unite nations in and through table tennis.
Witnessed by guests including Christopher Nixon Cox and Neil Bush, respectively grandson of President Richard Nixon and son of President George Bush, representatives from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Korea Table Tennis Association and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea were also recognised for their courageous act in 1991 to compete as one team instead of against each other despite the ongoing war between the two countries.
“30 years ago at the World Championships in Chiba, Japan, Korea Table Tennis Association and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea showed the world the uniting force of table tennis. Together they were stronger, as the Unified Korea team became the 1991 World Champions.” Leandro Olvech.
The two Koreas joined forces again at the 2011 Peace and Sport Table Tennis Cup in Qatar, and the 2018 World Table Tennis Championships in Halmstad, Sweden. The ITTF Foundation project One Korea, One Table then became the driving force behind both teams playing together in several tournaments of the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour.
Japan Table Tennis Association has received recognition for its non-dismissible role in the 1971 USA-China Ping Pong Diplomacy and the Unified Korea team in 1991 and 2018. The former Japanese ITTF President Ichiro Ogimura, also known as the Ping Pong Diplomat, was one of the key facilitators behind the first Unified Korea team in 1991. And the Unified Korea team in the 2018 World Championships would not have been able to play if the Japanese national team had not agreed.
“Thank you Japan for being a constant actor in the 50 years of Ping Pong Diplomacy. You remind the world that we are in this together. We are stronger united and with the support of friends, we are able to achieve greater good than on our own.” Leandro Olvech.
In 2018, the Japanese national team took a huge risk by skipping the quarterfinal results of the World Table Tennis Championships in Halmstad, Sweden and agreed to compete directly in the semi-finals against a stronger team. This has allowed the Unified Korea to play as one team, and thus became another legacy of Ping Pong Diplomacy.
By recognising the contribution of the five ITTF Member Associations towards Ping Pong Diplomacy, we encourage all Member Associations to use table tennis as a platform for dialogues and peace, both on the states and on the grassroots level.