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Observer
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Omani umpire to officiates at FISU Games
MUSCAT, JULY 14 Oman's pioneering table tennis umpire, Aisha al Saidi, continues to raise the Sultanate of Oman's flag high on the international sports events. The distinguished blue badge umpire will officiate at the FISU World University Games 2025 which is set to begin on Wednesday and will run until July 27 in Germany. The table tennis competitions will take place in Essen city at Messe Essen Halle 1 including seven key events: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, mixed doubles, and men's and women's team events. Aisha, who hails from Saham, made history in March 2022 when she earned her blue badge umpire status at the WTT Youth Contender in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. She was among only three Omanis to achieve this elite status beside Mohammed al Alawi and Ibrahim al Jassasi. Since then, she has officiated at several international World Table Tennis (WTT) events, gaining the desired experience for her professionalism and precision. Most recently, Aisha was among the selected officials at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships which concluded in Doha in last May as she oversaw a series of high-profile matches, including some in the final rounds. She participated in the 2024 World Championship in Bosan, South Korea, where she further solidifying her international umpiring credentials. Commenting on her upcoming assignment, Aisha said it is a great honor to be selected to officiate at another global event. 'I look forward to representing Oman at the FISU Games and contributing to the success of the tournament. This is another milestone in my umpiring journey, and I am eager to continue developing and officiating at the highest levels.' She ended Aisha began her career in 2016 and she was consistent presence in domestic, regional and international table tennis tournaments. Her progression through the ranks reflects not only her personal dedication but also the growing impact of Omani officials in international sports.
South China Morning Post
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Macau's Zhu claims WTT US Smash victory, then hails ‘eye-catching' display by Chen
Macau's Zhu Yuling won the World Table Tennis (WTT) US Smash women's singles title in Las Vegas on Sunday, and then praised the 'eye-catching' performance of her beaten opponent Chen Yi. Chen had captured the imagination of fans in mainland China after eliminating some of the game's biggest stars, including world No 1 Sun Yingsha, en route to the final. But Zhu, herself a former world No 1, battled back from two games down to win 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 at the Orleans Arena. 'I hope everyone will give Chen a round of applause,' Zhu said. 'Her performance was very eye-catching. 'She has experience beyond her age, and watching her was like seeing myself when I was younger.' Zhu Yuling (right) came back from behind to beat Chen at the WTT United States Smash on Sunday. Photo: Handout Zhu, who also urged Chen to 'be yourself' and ignore what the outside world thinks, said it was a game of fine margins.
South China Morning Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Wang Chuqin gives China fans 2028 LA Olympics boost, as men suffer shock losses at US event
Table tennis world champion Wang Chuqin has given Chinese fans a boost after announcing his intention to play on until at least the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In a pre-recorded video interview with state media, Wang said he needed the target in three years to determine his 'next direction' after that. And he reassured supporters that LA 'would not be an end', rather a point at which he would examine his future. The news was a much-needed jolt of optimism for Chinese table tennis after a poor day for the men's team at the WTT Grand Smash stop in Las Vegas, where the 25-year-old was the only one of the nation's players in the bottom half of the draw to make it into the second round. While the world No 2 was beating Romania's Julian Chirita 3-1, compatriots Chen Yuanyu and world No 5 Liang Jingkun both lost. Chen, the 16th seed, lost 3-1 to England's Liam Pitchford, while French qualifier Lilian Bardet saw off Liang in a five-game battle, 5-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8. Baldwin Chan (front) still has an opportunity to make it into the second round, but doubles partner Wong Chun-ting is already out. Photo: Xinhua 'I think my opponent played very well and he's quite a strong player too,' Wang said. 'He also gave me a lot of difficulties during the match.
South China Morning Post
06-07-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Table tennis world No 2 Wang Chuqin gets traffic fine before heading off to WTT event in US
Table tennis star Wang Chuqin was fined and had a point deducted from his driving licence following a road violation earlier this month. Advertisement The reigning men's singles world champion, who won his title at the ITTF Table Tennis World Championships in Doha in May, was reported to have crossed a solid line and turned into the General Administration of Sport of China building in Beijing without indicating. Wang's violations were not detected by road cameras but were reported to the authorities by the public. In March, the 25-year-old from Jilin was also reported by members of the public to have driven his car while wearing only slippers. Wang was not punished at the time, but the incident did spark controversy. In response to the reports, the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau retrieved the electronic surveillance video of the road, from the East Gate of Tiantan to the lower section of Yuting Bridge, to confirm the violations. Advertisement Wang, the world No 2, was reportedly fined 200 yuan (US$27.91) and visited the Dongcheng Traffic Detachment Tiantan Brigade on the same day to settle his punishment before heading to Las Vegas to take part in the World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash.
The Guardian
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Brazilian table tennis star denied entry to US due to having competed in Cuba
Brazilian Hugo Calderano, who won the gold medal in the 2025 table tennis World Cup, said he will miss the WTT US smash event in Las Vegas this month following delays in getting a visa to the United States. Calderano, a 2025 world championships silver medallist who also holds a Portuguese passport, said he had been informed by US authorities that he was no longer eligible for visa waiver for European Union countries, due to a trip to Cuba in 2023 to compete in international competitions and qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 29-year-old said he then tried to get an emergency visa but ran out of time with the event already under way on Thursday. 'I followed the same protocol as all my previous trips to the United States using my Portuguese passport,' Calderano said in a statement on his website late on Thursday. 'When I was informed of the situation, I mobilized my entire team to obtain an emergency visa, but unfortunately, there was not enough time.' 'It is frustrating to be left out of one of the most important competitions of the season for reasons beyond my control, especially coming off such positive results,' he added. The US Smash event is one of the highlights of the year for the WTT, a body created by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), to stage commercial competitions to broaden the appeal of the sport, with higher prize money. The United States will also play host to the 2026 soccer World Cup while Los Angeles will stage the 2028 summer Olympics with athletes from more than 200 countries set to take part. Reuters has contacted the US state department for a comment. The ITTF could not immediately be reached for a comment.
