Calderano Signs with Joola (#139)

[The0rigina1]

W968-8 is a thicker core w968 kind of like how HL5x is compared to HL5. It doesn't have koto outer.
Usually with other dhs athletes they're given an option to use a different rubber on backhand.

Pretty sure a 968 with thicker core is 968-6

 

[The0rigina1]

It looks like that blade too cause I remember KCJ using it before he left Andro abruptly

Actually it was VCO, VCI is used by Gauzy. It could be a new blade with different veneer thickness, doesn't seem super likely though

 

[TTLOVE]

Personally, I think butterfly would have made more sense for him. A CNF blade would be perfect for Calderano.

 

[Chang]

Will this be the first table tennis couple to both be with the same sponsored brand Andro.

Joao Monteiro and Daniela Dodean (married in 2013) were both under Butterfly.

Edit: If you mean first under Andro, then perhaps yes.
Edit 2: Maybe also Chiang Hung-Chieh and Ai Fukuhara. (Bty)

 

[Migzkulit]

Pretty sure a 968 with thicker core is 968-6

That is also right, 968-6 is overall more thick than 968. But 968-8 or 968-18 has a thicker core but thinner plies above the carbon. So it keeps the same thickness overall.

 

[po-stit]

Sounds like you should buy a couple more in identical weights so you have backups.

I wish. It's still and expensive blade to keep just in case =P

 

[The0rigina1]

My guess is he’s still with xiom. He’s just not using Hal anymore and instead I assume he’s trying out new blades/prototypes

FYI all the Hugo blades were rebranded to remove his name in Xiom's 26 catalog

 

[The0rigina1]

What does this look like

 

[Creek]

Same handle design as his Xiom tmxi but different colors.
Rubber sponge creamy Color could be Andro nuzn!?

 

[SilvestriDaVini]

View attachment 39652What does this look like

Unfortunately, I don’t think it will help us that much. He gave it as a gift to an influencer, but it’s a mini “ping pong” kit from his brand. The design looks like his XIOM blades, but it’s probably just a cheap pre-made racket.
We should get more news as the new year approaches.

 

[AndySmith]

Rubbers with that notch in tend to be ESN test / prototypes. Fun to speculate though! Re-signed with Cornilleau? Korean poaching by Nexy? Going it alone and starting his own brand with ESN support? Adidas back from the dead?

 

[golden_son]

Adidas back from the dead?

Now wouldn't  that be a coup...

 

[Colin Ksh]

So the rumors appeared to be true. Hugo’s no longer a xiom sponsored player (confirmed by xiom officially)

 

[andzejgolot]

I thought IT is BS because the Xiom helped him to be 4th player in the world even his first steps with the brand wasnt that good but right now IT doesnt make sensie at all...xiom failed with discountined HAL when the blade received buzz but they made personal equipment for him...

 

[zeio]

Tieba user killerbbt (IP from Taiwan) claims it's Joola according to the equipment retailer(s) in Taiwan.

骄猛与雨果确认解约
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/10347056574
疑似雨果手板谍照
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/10347027788

 

[AndySmith]

Tieba user killerbbt (IP from Taiwan) claims it's Joola according to the equipment retailer(s) in Taiwan.

骄猛与雨果确认解约
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/10347056574
疑似雨果手板谍照
https://tieba.baidu.com/p/10347027788

Would be a bold move for Joola.

 

[Tyce]

Would be a bold move for Joola Hugo

Going from Xiom to Joola doesn't quite sound like something fitting for someone of Hugo's stature... I would be highly surprised

 

[piligrim]

Rubbers with that notch in tend to be ESN test / prototypes. Fun to speculate though! Re-signed with Cornilleau? Korean poaching by Nexy? Going it alone and starting his own brand with ESN support? Adidas back from the dead?

Loki or Inhe ))

 

[zeio]

Would be a bold move for Joola.

Must've raked in a lot of cash from pickleball if true.

 

[JackJohnson]

That would be wild if it’s Joola and not Andro. From the prototype blade he was using look more like Andro than Joola unless at that time he had not signed an agreement yet with Andro and was just testing out the equipment to see if he wanted to sign with Andro or not.

It wouldn’t be farfetched if it is Joola since his teammate Vitor Ishiy is using Joola and at recent WTT events he was coaching Hugo whether thats a permanent position or not I’m uncertain. Are Joola paying Vitor Ishiy to coach Hugo?

Before signing an agreement with a table tennis sponsor are the players allow to test out their equipment before deciding whether to switch to that table tennis sponsor or not?