ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025, Chengdu, 11/30-12/7

[zeio]

Just read the playing system again that you posted and to me it’s clear that France broke the rules by fielding 2 males and 2 females only. It says must field at least 3 per gender.

Sometimes I wonder what the point on these rules if even ITTF are not going to follow them. From WYC to XDWC umpires/match referees have been really bad.

The rules are poorly worded, unnecessarily convoluted and must be interpreted collectively. KOR fielded 2 men and 2 women against FRA in Stage 2 at XTWC 2023.

https://www.ittf.com/wp-content/upl...p-2025-Competition-Details-Playing-system.pdf
1. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND INVITATIONS:
Teams
• 16 teams comprising a minimum of three and maximum of four players per gender. [3 or 4 players per gender per team]
• Each team shall be accompanied by a non-playing coach.

...

Note 2
PLAYING SYSTEM
• A team shall consist of 3 or 4 players per gender. [Redundant given the line above]
...
• An equal number of male and female players must be registered on the match score
sheet for each team match. The maximum number of individuals allowed on the
bench will be decided by ITTF and LOC. [Same number of men and women must be fielded for each match. ITTF and LOC (local organizing committee) have the final say on how many players/coaches can be on the bench]
• Each player is allowed to play in a maximum of 2 individual matches (doubles and
singles) per team match. [2 matches per player. As few as 2 men and 2 women can be fielded]

 

[SilvestriDaVini]

Teams of 2 does make it very boring to be honest

Agreed. It should be at least three.

I'm imagining the Olympics. If teams adopt this strategy of using two men and two women, the main players will end up in a marathon of games, especially if they also sign up for the doubles events.

It seems counterintuitive, too. The "goal" is to achieve gender equality, but previously there were three women actively playing in the women’s team. Now only two women will play, lol. Good that the medal number increased, but seems like it was made so China, Japan, and Korea just have a guaranteed medal.

 

[zeio]

The audience was pretty quiet when Japan won a point and cheered loudly when Croatia won a point. Could be other reasons for it, but sadly I think politics is coming into play.

Politics have always permeated sports in one way or another. Why did ITTF bar Russia and Belarus from playing but not Israel? US hegemony. Why do they allow them now? US and Europe can't beat them. In much the same way, US does not keep a leash on Japan? China steps in. Simple as that.

As for Miwa's event, the rip-off pricing had already caused an outcry upon announcement. Right-wing Takaichi's statement/response to inquiry in the parliament only stirred things up further.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

The rules are poorly worded, unnecessarily convoluted and must be interpreted collectively. KOR fielded 2 men and 2 women against FRA in Stage 2 at XTWC 2023.

https://www.ittf.com/wp-content/upl...p-2025-Competition-Details-Playing-system.pdf
1. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND INVITATIONS:
Teams
• 16 teams comprising a minimum of three and maximum of four players per gender. [3 or 4 players per gender per team]
• Each team shall be accompanied by a non-playing coach.

...

Note 2
PLAYING SYSTEM
• A team shall consist of 3 or 4 players per gender. [Redundant given the line above]
...
• An equal number of male and female players must be registered on the match score
sheet for each team match. The maximum number of individuals allowed on the
bench will be decided by ITTF and LOC. [Same number of men and women must be fielded for each match. ITTF and LOC (local organizing committee) have the final say on how many players/coaches can be on the bench]
• Each player is allowed to play in a maximum of 2 individual matches (doubles and
singles) per team match. [2 matches per player. As few as 2 men and 2 women can be fielded]

you left out this

and then continue to note 2 - in a team match - a team should consist of 3 or 4 players per gender.
you adding your own [redundant] is quite funny.
so why would ITTF put two x "participation" numbers, one in number of participants and one in a team per team match should be 3 or 4. so the 2nd one is not about per team match, but rather about number of participants (team list).

why make the participation a minimum of 3, they can just make it a minimum of 2?

 

[zeio]

you left out this
View attachment 39296

and then continue to note 2 - in a team match - a team should consist of 3 or 4 players per gender.
you adding your own [redundant] is quite funny.
so why would ITTF put two x "participation" numbers, one in number of participants and one in a team per team match should be 3 or 4. so the 2nd one is not about per team match, but rather about number of participants (team list).

why make the participation a minimum of 3, they can just make it a minimum of 2?

You don't get it. It's not how you interpret the rules, it's how ITTF interprets them.

Here's another example. HKG fielded 2 men and 2 women against GER in Stage 2 at XTWC 2024. Same for GER. The rules have been largely the same for 2023, 2024, and 2025.

GER 5-8 HKG
NG/YIU (W1/M1)
DOO (W2)
WONG (M2)
WONG/YIU (M2/M1)
NG/DOO (W1/W2)

FRA 4-8 GER
ROU 8-5 GER
MENG/SCHREINER (M1/W1)
WAN (W2)
STUMPER (M2)
WAN/SCHREINER (W2/W1)
STUMPER/MENG (M2/M1)

KOR 8-5 GER
KLEE/MEISSNER (W1/M1)
WAN (W2)
MENG (M2)
KLEE/WAN (W1/W2)
MEISSNER/MENG (M1/M2)

XTWC 2025
https://www.ittf.com/wp-content/upl...p-2025-Competition-Details-Playing-system.pdf
XTWC 2024
https://www.ittf.com/wp-content/upl...ition-Details-Playing-system-16-teams-1.1.pdf
XTWC 2023
https://www.ittf.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Updated-Mixed-Team-World-Cup-v6-Playing-system-2.pdf

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

You don't get it. It's not how you interpret the rules, it's how ITTF interprets them.

 

[Janard]

Just saw it but India lost to Australia? Australia proving continental boost is not a fluke lol.

 

[JackJohnson]

Just saw it but India lost to Australia? Australia proving continental boost is not a fluke lol.

Those 3 Australia mens players are all using DHS now. Finn Luu just switched to DHS recently from Tibhar.

 

[JackJohnson]

Chinese Taipei are in a bit of trouble now. Can Huang and Lin for their singles games get at least 1-2 wins each.

@Tony's Table Tennis I notice that the Chinese Taipei team are using Lin and Cheng personal coaches as the team coaches for this event and I’m assuming its cause the usual head coach was with the youth team at the WYC.

Are Lin and Cheng personal coaches usually the assistant coaches of Chinese Taipei or is it usually someone else but he/she too was with the youth team at the WYC?

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Chinese Taipei are in a bit of trouble now. Can Huang and Lin for their singles games get at least 1-2 wins each.

@Tony's Table Tennis I notice that the Chinese Taipei team are using Lin and Cheng personal coaches as the team coaches for this event and I’m assuming its cause the usual head coach was with the youth team at the WYC.
Are Lin and Cheng personal coaches usually the assistant coaches of Chinese Taipei or is it usually someone else but he/she too was with the youth team at the WYC?

Taiwan always as far as I remember, use the no1 mens players coach as mens team coach and no1 women's player coach as women's team coach.
So who ever changes coaches, or who ever changes no1 position, the team coach will change too.
This way we do not have a coach that is forever team coach, or have bias of a coach there that doesn't lead any of the players.

Personally, a bit of trouble isn't really a concern.
Kao has some niggle, Kuo only just arrived yesterday, so men's does not have much rotation option.
for women's, it was already planned that the other 3 would rotate to play singles in the groups and the XD pairing will always be Lin + Cheng.

If they want to fight, the two strong players would be playing singles and getting that 6 points and not just tied together for 3.
So, its not the end of the world. Things will probably get more serious in 2027 for the build up to the olympics

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Just saw it but India lost to Australia? Australia proving continental boost is not a fluke lol.

seems like after the 3 matches, India like Taiwan is using rotation for singles, and by doing so affecting XD and doubles.

with 3 sets, it does make things very interesting.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Well played Team Sweden

 

[zeio]

Just saw it but India lost to Australia? Australia proving continental boost is not a fluke lol.

Psihogios got my attention at WTTC 2025. She has been playing decently since.

 

[zeio]

S1 G1 M6
EGY 2-8 HKG
Abdelaziz/Mariam Alhodaby (M1/W1) 1-2 CHW/ZCZ (M1/W1)
Goda (W2) 0-3 DHK (W2)
Assar (M2) 1-2 WCT (M2)
Elbeiali/Abdelaziz (M3/M1) 0-1 CHW/WCT (M1/M2)
Marwa Alhodaby/Mariam Alhodaby (W3/W1) ZCZ/DHK (W1/W2)

 

[zeio]

CTTA president WLQ on Olympic XT in the press conference.

https://weibo.com/7360795486/Qgrlf9UHX
草莓牛奶特别甜
25-12-1 23:15
发布于 四川
来自 微博网页版
成都混团世界杯新闻发布会丨相关信息
面对混团这一奥运项目中国队的备战思路？
【中国乒协主席王励勤】一是强化系统研究，我们将深入研究赛制规律，制定完善的备战策略和科学训练计划；二是优化团队配置，精心打磨多种的团队组合；三是加强协同配合，全力以赴地为运动员、教练员做好各项参赛保障工作，力争在成都混团世界杯当中取得优异的成绩。

【中国乒协主席王励勤】混合世界杯这项赛事为全球乒乓球健儿搭建了高水平的竞技舞台，已经成为连接奥运梦想的桥梁纽带。希望大家不仅关注金牌归属、明星运动员的精彩表现，更能从多维度、多角度深入挖掘每一位运动员为梦想拼搏的生动故事，新赛制背后所彰显的团队精神，以及各支队伍在比赛中对体育精神的尊重和竞争对手之间的相互学习。

【中国乒协主席王励勤】混合团体世界杯已经成为通往2028年洛杉矶奥运会的重要一步。我曾经也是一名运动员，所以对这一具有历史意义的进程倍感振奋。通过各方两年来的不懈努力，混团世界杯这项赛事为全球乒乓球健儿搭建的高水平竞技舞台，已然成为连接奥运梦想的桥梁纽带。我们衷心期盼，通过成都混合团体世界杯赛事的举办，展现中国乒乓球的深厚底蕴，提升广大乒乓球爱好者的获得感和体验感，让更多的人从关注乒乓球这项运动，到亲身参与乒乓球锻炼。

【国际乒联主席、国际奥委会委员佩特拉·索林】两年前，我们在成都开创性提出混合团体世界杯这一全新理念，让男女选手团结一致、并肩作战，共享每一分，共担团队责任。混合团体世界杯是团队精神的最高体现。始于成都的想法，如今已走进奥运殿堂，混团项目将于2028年洛杉矶奥运会完成历史性首秀。这一历史性里程碑，无疑是对乒乓球运动的极大认可。乒乓球在奥运会上的小项数量将增加至六项，居球拍运动之最！因此，本届赛事早已超越世界杯本身，成为通往2028年洛杉矶奥运会的重要一步，以及世界顶尖运动员备战奥运混团项目的舞台。

Wang Liqin, President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association: I hope everyone will pay attention...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pOf0JkDeVQ

ITTF Mixed Team World Cup: A Proving Ground for LA28 and the Future of Team Table Tennis
https://www.ittf.com/2025/12/01/itt...for-la28-and-the-future-of-team-table-tennis/

 

[zeio]

General Administration of Sport of China appoints WLQ as the deputy director of Table Tennis and Badminton Administrative Center.

https://weibo.com/7360795486/QgqPNEgQd
草莓牛奶特别甜
25-12-1 21:58
发布于 四川
来自 微博网页版
国家体育总局干部调整信息
任命王励勤为乒乓球羽毛球运动管理中心副主任

国家体育总局：王励勤任乒乓球羽毛球运动管理中心副主任
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JezseWoADgs

 

[NextLevel]

Just saw it but India lost to Australia? Australia proving continental boost is not a fluke lol.

Most of the Australians are young and really good for their level and many of them are children of immigrants from Asian or even European countries with a passion for table tennis. The gap between Australia and the rest of the world will narrow as some of these kids get older and mature since some of them are already playing in Europe or training in the best centers in the USA. I think especially of Ady Sareen, yes he isn't Flavien Coton, but he has been competing decently with 2700 USATT players, has a win over Achanta and is only 17 years old. The rest (Lum, Bae, Luu) are all 19. Part of the reason why Heming Hu "retired early" was because he was already uncompetitive against all these kids.

On the women's side, Yangzi Liu is 23. Psihogios is 16. And Australia has a decent immigration program. While people are focused on the disparity between ranking and performance now, at time will come when it will be much narrower and it will be largely imperceptible to most.

The boost is still not quite good, but Australia is developing world class players, how good they will actually get is a matter of time. But they will be at least top 100 quality and more likely in some cases at least top 50 at some point in their career.

 

[The Omega Man]

No more Cybershape for Cristina Källberg? Anyone can tell what her new setup is?

 

[zeio]

Judging by the grip, Inspira Hybrid Carbon.

 

[JackJohnson]

No more Cybershape for Cristina Källberg? Anyone can tell what her new setup is?

View attachment 39305

Did she switch due to her brother beef with Truls 😂