I want opinions on my chances of pro

[XpingpingpongpongX]

Starting at 9 years old is harder to reach pro but not impossible.

It's possible. But in a parent's perspective, there are much easier and safer options. It makes more sense to just reach a semi pro level and keep it as a life long hobby. And at the same time, pursue something else so you can realistically get a job in the future. But if he's in a rich family, then he doesn't need to worry about this.

 

[KTableTennis]

So my parents and I have been talking about high school and what im going to do, something that is an option for me at the moment (im in 7th grade right now) is moving to europe to a training center/school. as of now it is in the picture, it isnt a yes but it isnt a no. I wanted to be prepared so I would like to know of a few different options that I could look into. clubs in europe preferably would be good, but we are open to other countries but not so much china. are there any like this in the us? thanks

 

[Caravenav]

I have read many of your messages about moving to Europe for training to become professional players, and I understand your dreams. I know you are really enthusiastic about becoming a professional, but I also understand your parents' concerns. I don't think anyone in your parents' position would allow a child of your age to move to another country. Now that summer is almost here, I suggest you talk to your parents and go to a table tennis school (not a training camp) with specialists who won't lie to you. In this case, I would suggest Germany. Germans are not the sweetest people when it comes to giving their opinion. Sometimes they can be a bit "rude" for sensitive people, but German professionals won't lie to you. They will tell you what they see in you. I have read many places that Borussia Düsseldorf has a good school and you can book in advance for three to five days, including accommodation. I would go there, explain my idea, and when the course finishes, ask all the trainers who saw my performance for their honest opinion. After that, I would decide whether to move to Europe or continue playing table tennis as a high-skilled or semi-professional hobby.

 

[BackhandSteve]

I live in Sweden. Halmstad has a highschool that includes table tennis in the day to day school basis. Here is the link. https://www.halmstad.se/barnochutbi...ieskolorihalmstad/sannarpsgymnasiet.n429.html

I live here so I know what Im talking about

What I think is great with this is that the training hall is only about 500 meters or so from the school. And the training hall is top class, saw Truls play there not too long ago. We have good table tennis floor and conditions for training. Many good players attend this high school to combine studies with practice.

The highschool itself is nothing extra ordinary. It's a normal high school. It's actually quite small compared to other high schools closer to the city. There is summercamp in Halmstad everysummer. Halmstadbtk.se
Maybe you can go and try. Not many foreigners come but one person came from Canada when I was there, we became friends. He was also a prodigy
He is now ranked 45th in Canada.

When I was your age I was planning to move there and attend the highschool. But ultimately I was not ready to live alone far away from my family. About 6-7 years later was the time when I actually moved. Remember you probably will have to cook your own food and all that. I support your dream and I hope you can achieve it. Its important to have a goal in life whether it is table tennis or something else.

Remember you don't have to settle for less than what you want! Everybody is talking about all the downsides. Don't be discouraged. If it is worth it to you it's all that matters. Don't settle for just semi-pro. You want to be pro, so be pro.


Best of luck pal 😎

 

[KTableTennis]

I live in Sweden. Halmstad has a highschool that includes table tennis in the day to day school basis. Here is the link. https://www.halmstad.se/barnochutbi...ieskolorihalmstad/sannarpsgymnasiet.n429.html

I live here so I know what Im talking about

What I think is great with this is that the training hall is only about 500 meters or so from the school. And the training hall is top class, saw Truls play there not too long ago. We have good table tennis floor and conditions for training. Many good players attend this high school to combine studies with practice.

The highschool itself is nothing extra ordinary. It's a normal high school. It's actually quite small compared to other high schools closer to the city. There is summercamp in Halmstad everysummer. Halmstadbtk.se
Maybe you can go and try. Not many foreigners come but one person came from Canada when I was there, we became friends. He was also a prodigy
He is now ranked 45th in Canada.

When I was your age I was planning to move there and attend the highschool. But ultimately I was not ready to live alone far away from my family. About 6-7 years later was the time when I actually moved. Remember you probably will have to cook your own food and all that. I support your dream and I hope you can achieve it. Its important to have a goal in life whether it is table tennis or something else.

Remember you don't have to settle for less than what you want! Everybody is talking about all the downsides. Don't be discouraged. If it is worth it to you it's all that matters. Don't settle for just semi-pro. You want to be pro, so be pro.


Best of luck pal 😎

that sounds cool, how many hours of school and how many hours of training per day? do they have accomidation

 

[BackhandSteve]

It's possible. But in a parent's perspective, there are much easier and safer options. It makes more sense to just reach a semi pro level and keep it as a life long hobby. And at the same time, pursue something else so you can realistically get a job in the future. But if he's in a rich family, then he doesn't need to worry about this.

Why should he settle for less than what he dreams of. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. Life is a big adventure after all.

 

[BackhandSteve]

that sounds cool, how many hours of school and how many hours of training per day? do they have accomidation

Well I can show you their schedule.
This is their summercamp: https://www.halmstadbtk.se/summercamp-2026/
I have been there many times. Best table tennis time of my life xD

Here is their schedule: RED color is their ordinary training times. GREEN color is for "free to play". YELLOW is for the A-Team. So If you are a good Division 1 or more in sweden I would say. Pingisligan is the highest level and players from that league train then. Then you can of course pay for extra training. Regarding the accomodation. Im not sure. I think you need to contact the school regarding this matter.

EDIT: Wait I just missed a few practice "times". But its gonna be as much as you can manage along with school xD
But everyday except friday unless you are allowed to practice with the A-team. But you have to talk to them. Maybe you and a friend can just use a table next to them idk xD

 

[KTableTennis]

Well I can show you their schedule.
This is their summercamp: https://www.halmstadbtk.se/summercamp-2026/
I have been there many times. Best table tennis time of my life xD

Here is their schedule: RED color is their ordinary training times. GREEN color is for "free to play". YELLOW is for the A-Team. So If you are a good Division 1 or more in sweden I would say. Pingisligan is the highest level and players from that league train then. Then you can of course pay for extra training. Regarding the accomodation. Im not sure. I think you need to contact the school regarding this matter.

thanks for the pic but its a little hard to read, how many hours a day go to school and training?

 

[Tyce]

that sounds cool, how many hours of school and how many hours of training per day? do they have accomidation

Why don't you put in some minimal effort and check the website?

This is the umpteenth time people are handing you valuable information on a silver goddamn platter, only for you to respond with a single question that you could have googled in two minutes.
If you want to be a pro, that takes hard work, effort, initiative, a proactive attitude. What you are showing so far is a delusional mindset, trickshots and highlights.
If you want people to do work for you, you have to give them something too.

And yes, I did check the website for two minutes, I know what to do.

 

[KTableTennis]

Why don't you put in some minimal effort and check the website?

This is the umpteenth time people are handing you valuable information on a silver goddamn platter, only for you to respond with a single question that you could have googled in two minutes.
If you want to be a pro, that takes hard work, effort, initiative, a proactive attitude. What you are showing so far is a delusional mindset, trickshots and highlights.
If you want people to do work for you, you have to give them something too.

And yes, I did check the website for two minutes, I know what to do.

I did check and I didn't see where it said the times and hours

 

[BackhandSteve]

Would like to add also that the level of players is probably much higher here compared to USA. I asked chatGPT and 1500 swedish ranking points would be the equivalent of 2000-2300 ttr? Idk how true this is tho.
But most of the players at the school are higher than 1500 swedish ranking. Many around 2000 swedish ranking. Which would maybe be the equivalent of a us semi-pro? /pro?

 

[BackhandSteve]

I did check and I didn't see where it said the times and hours

Training schedule: https://www.halmstadbtk.se/traning/traningstider/
School: https://www.halmstad.se/barnochutbi...ymnasieskolan/besokvarautbildningar.n761.html

 

[BackhandSteve]

Why don't you put in some minimal effort and check the website?

This is the umpteenth time people are handing you valuable information on a silver goddamn platter, only for you to respond with a single question that you could have googled in two minutes.
If you want to be a pro, that takes hard work, effort, initiative, a proactive attitude. What you are showing so far is a delusional mindset, trickshots and highlights.
If you want people to do work for you, you have to give them something too.

And yes, I did check the website for two minutes, I know what to do.

Its okay, we have all been young and eager to pursue our dreams

 

[KTableTennis]

Training schedule: https://www.halmstadbtk.se/traning/traningstider/
School: https://www.halmstad.se/barnochutbi...ymnasieskolan/besokvarautbildningar.n761.html

thank you

 

[Tyce]

Its okay, we have all been young and eager to pursue our dreams

Sure thing, but when you are adamant to make those dreams a reality, yet none of your actions are supporting that, you need to wake up and choose.

 

[Tyce]

I did check and I didn't see where it said the times and hours

How about, oh I don't know, contacting the school?

 

[BackhandSteve]

How about, oh I don't know, contacting the school?

I wish you would find something better to do that you find more fulfilling than this critisism you are on about. You don’t even know him do you? At this point your comments are just taking up useful space shifting the focus away from the useful and informational comments.

 

[Singshasha]

I wish you would find something better to do that you find more fulfilling than this critisism you are on about. You don’t even know him do you? At this point your comments are just taking up useful space shifting the focus away from the useful and informational comments.

I was like you at first, but after seeing repeats of the same questions over and over again and not making much progress or attempt in these months, I fully understand why so many has stopped entertaining his dreams.

If he was really serious or the whole story is real, his parents will be on the phone planning things out with his coaches that played in the 2nd division in Germany. But we have a 13 year old here, ignoring extremely useful information and I agree with Tyce, shows lack of effort in his attempt to make contact with probably over a dozen schools provided to him already and for him to get the information you have provided.

I wonder if he even attempted to contact those centers in the USA? He isn’t even ranked in the USA and I think he should first take part in few major national tournaments back at home before talking about gambling his youth away.

Maybe kids today do need things delivered on a silver platter. Now that he has it, I hope he makes good use of it.

 

[NDH]

*Moderator Hat On*

Firstly, humble apologies for not reading all of the thread - But I get the gist.

Do I think an online public forum is the place for a 13 year old? No.

Heck, it's barely a place for grown adults at times haha! I can guarantee you I wouldn't let my kids interact online like this as a 13 year old.

I feel like the original question has been asked, and answered.

Rather than close the thread, can I please ask that we (as a table tennis community), do 2 things?

1. Specifically for @KTableTennis - Keep this thread to a "progress" thread if you wish people to follow your journey.

If there are questions you need to ask and you think people can help, please do - But remember, Google is a much better source most of the time.

2. For the rest of us, let's not judge a kid for their dreams - I sure wish I had some left.

I completely get that after 20 pages of going nowhere, the "leeway" has left the building (people have ran out of patience), and whilst I have no idea who KTableTennis is, let's just assume he is a 13 year old kid chasing their dreams.

Thanks all!

 

[pongfugrasshopper]

But remember, Google is a much better source most of the time.

I asked Google and it directed me to this thread on TTD