The premier table tennis club in New York and the Northeast
175 Tompkins Avenue, Pleasantville, NY [Directions] (914) 741-0738
Introductory Video (3:44)
Open 7 days:
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sunday Noon-10:00 p.m.
Cost:
All rates are for unlimited play. Paddles and balls are provided.
Tournaments
The Westchester TTC holds monthly USATT-rated 4-star tournaments, with $8,000 in prizes ($2,500 for first), drawing players from across North America and around the world. These are the largest monthly table tennis tournaments in the U.S.
Westchester Open Statistics: Full list of winners, runners-up, attendance + assorted facts (Oct. 2011 - July 2024)
League Night
Westchester TTC League Night takes place every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7:30 pm. Results are posted, usually by midnight, here. Club ratings are updated every Monday and Thursday here.
Free Group Training
For unrated players or players USATT-rated under 1600, pro Ben Nisbet provides free group training every Monday starting at 7:30 p.m. (For nonmembers, the regular day rate applies -- $12/adult, $10/child.)
Parkinson's Night
This special program for players with Parkinson's takes place every Wednesday starting at 7:30 pm. $10/person. More info.
Club Videos:
For more information:
Will Shortz | (914) 769-9128 |
Club Phone | (914) 741-0738 |
Video of the club's expansion in 2020 (2 minutes)
234 players. In a nail-biting final, Yuran Wu (USATT-rated 2713) upset France's Enzo Angles (2814) (7,-5,8,-10,10). Results, winners' photos and videos to come. Sunday action shots by Warren Rosenberg • Rich London
219 players, with six rated over 2650. In the final, Yiran Wu (USATT-rated 2704) defeated Koyo Kanamitsu (2666) (9,-9,7,1). Top results. Photos to come • Video of the final (16:39) • Video highlights (35:24) • Action shots from Rich London
219 players, with eight rated over 2600. In the final, Austria's Robert Gardos (WR #115, USATT-rated 2651) defeated Japan's Koyo Kanamitsu (-7,9,8,6). Results, Photos coming shortly • Video of the final (21:30) • Sunday highlights (19:59) • Action shots from Rich London.
262 players. In the final, Yiran Wu (USATT-rated 2673) defeated Taehyun Kim (2798) (9,8,-8,-6,9). Top results • Video of the final (33;27) * Video highlights (38:22)• Action photos by Rich London.
120 players 19 years and under, from 14 countries, competed in the World Table Tennis Contender event at Westchester on June 25-29. The WTTC's Amoolya Menon won the U17 Girls event. Full results appear on the ITTF website. Photos by Rich London.
232 players. In the final, Enzo Angles (USATT-rated 2830) defeated Yiran Wu (2705) (13,3,-7,5). Top results • Video of the final (23:59) • Action shots by Rich London
238 players. In the final, China's Yiran Wu (USATT-rated 2693) defeated Daniel Gorak (2705) (-7,1,8,5). Results. Wnners' photos to come • Video of the final(19:56) • Action shots by Rich London.
240 players. In another all-rench final, Enzo Angles (USATT-rated 2810) defeated Damien Provost (2704) (9,6,8). Top results. Winners' photos to come • Video of the final (16:55) • Action shots by Rich London.
256 players. In theall-French final, Enzo Angles (USATT-rated 2789) defeated Esteban Dorr (2669) (9,5,8). Results. Winners' photos to come • Video of the final (17:53) • Action shots by Rich London.
258 players. In the final, China's Yiran Wu (USATT-rated 2691) defeated Romain Lorentz (2663) (4,6,9). Results and winners' photos.• Video of the final (18:24). Action shots from Warren Rosenberg • Rich London.
209 players, with seven rated over 2500. In the final, Aditya Sareen (USATT-rated 2653) defeated Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo (2643) (4,-6,-6,8,2). Results and winners' photos. • Article in MetroSports magazine • Video of the final (23:04) • Video highlights • Action shots by Warren Rosenberg • Rich London.
198 players, with a French vs. French final in the open event. Enzo Angles (USATT-rated 2748) defeated Romain Lorentz (2673) (-10,-8,7,5,7). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Sunday action shots by Rich London.
225 players. In the open final, Mishel Levinski (USATT-rated 2494) defeated Cuba's Carlos Hernandez (2572) (2,-9,8,7). Senegal's Ibrahima Diaw, world-ranked #99 by the ITTF, lost to Jiangshan Guo in a quarterfinal. The tournament used new scoring software by Christine Cha, in which the players entered their own scores on tablets, speeding along the process. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Action shots from Rich London.
217 players. In the open final, Jishan Liang (USATT-rated 2704) defeated Ojo Onaolapo (2597) (2,11,-8,4). Results and winners' photos. Highlights (21:22) • Action shots from Rich London.
214 players, including four rated 2600+. In the open final, Jishan Liang (USATT-rated 2670) defeated France's Damien Provost (2663) (6,6,-10,-5,8). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final (29:08) • Action shots by Rich London (Sunday); Warren Rosenberg (Saturday).
255 players. In the open final, France's Romain Lorentz (USATT-rated 2595) defeated Jian Li (2538) (4,7,2). In a semifinal, Jian upset Austria's Robert Gardos (ITTF-ranked #71) (4,-3,12,7). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Action shots by Rich London.
269 players. In the open final, Germany's Bastian Steger (formerly world-ranked #18) defeated France's Damien Provost (USATT-rated 2688) (-11,4,6,6). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final • Final condensed (5:18) • Tournament highlights (22:36) • Sunday action shots by Warren Rosenberg, Rich London.
220 players. In the open final, Lei Kou (USATT-rated 2817) defeated Romain Lorentz (2638) (7,2,7). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final (16:33). • Video highlights (18:16) • Sunday action shots by Rich London.
63 players took part in the individual competition, and seven teams in the team competition, on May 20-21. $3,500 in prizes were awarded. Results and winners' photos.
261 players. In the open final, Daniel Gorak (USATT-rated 2670) defeated Romain Lorentz (2634) (11,-6,-9,7,6). The four semifinalists were born in four different countries — Poland, France, Iran, and China. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Highlights, including the final compressed • Action shots by Rich London • Jay Chelur • Glen Randmer.
57 players. The four semifinalists in the Men's Open came originally from China, Israel, Luxembourg, and Togo. Results and winners' photos. Photos by Jay Chelur.
270 players. In the open final, Ojo Onaolapo (USATT-rated 2622) defeated Carlos Hernandez (2523) (8,6,7). Results and winners' photos. Video of the Onaolapo/Lorentz semfinal (condensed, 6:47) • Final • Action shots from Warren Rosenberg • Jay Chelur • Rich London.
179 players. In the open final, Aditya Sareen (USATT-rated 2599) defeated Jishan Liang (2682) (-9,8,8,7), to become the youngest champion in Westchester Open history (14 years 9 months). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Final compressed (6:39) • Romain Lorentz/Aditya Sareen semifnal (4:45) • Sunday highlights (15:11)
A record 280 players, with nine rated over 2500. In the open final, Lei Kou, of California's Kou Lei TTC (USATT-rated 2850) defeated Jian Li, of New Jersey's Topspin TTC (2577) (-9,4,8,7). Prizes starting this month were increased to $8,000, with $2,500 for first. Results and winners' photos. • Video highlights (16:48) • Final • Action shots from Rich London
220 players. In the open final, Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo (world-ranked #92; USATT-rated 2598) defeated fellow Nigerian Ojo Onaolapo (2599) to become the first African-born champion of the Westchester Open. Results and winners' photos • Action shots from Rich London • Video of the final.
214 players. In the final of the open event, Romain Lorentz (USATT-rated 2678) defeated N.Y.U.'s Junxiao Wang (2502) (6,10,-8,9). Results and winners' photos. • Semifinal #1 (6:38) • Semifinal #2 (7:47) • Final (29:51).
Korean table tennis legends Ryu Seung Min and Kim Taek Soo visited the Westchester Table Tennis Center on Nov. 5-6. Photos by Jay Chelur.
209 players. In the final of the open event, France's Romain Lorentz (USATT-rated 2668) defeated Aditya Sareen (2599) (-4,7,10,7). Sareen, at 14 years 6 months, is the youngest finalist in the tournament's history. Results and winners' photos. • Semifinal #1 (7:47) • Final • Action shots from Jay Chelur • Rich London.
187 players, including five rated 2600+. In the final of the open, Jinbao Ma of California's 888 Table Tennis Center (USATT-rated 2706) defeated Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo (2644) (5,-6,4,10). Results and winners' photos. • Semifinal #1 • #2 • Final • Highlights (10:57) • Sunday action shots by Rich London.
205 players, with five rated over 2600. In the final of the open, France's Enzo Angles (world-ranked #82) defeated England's Andrew Baggaley (four-time world Ping-Pong champion) (5,10,8). Semifinalists were Poland's Filip Szymanski and Brazil's Cazuo Matsumoto. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Matsumoto/Angles semi • Video highlights • Action shots by Rich London.
Leon Libin, an umpire at the first Westchester Table Tennis Open in October 2011, recently put together this photographic slide show of the event (10:55).
230 players — an all-time high, with most of the 18 events at or near their limit. In the final of the open, Romain Lorentz, former member of the French national team (USATT-rated 2650), defeated Jishan Liang (2703) (6,6,-8,9). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final. Action shots by Rich London.
163 players. In the final of the open, France's Damien Provost (USATT-rated 2676) defeated Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo (2636) (5,1,10). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final. Sunday action shots from Glen Randmer • Rich London.
On June 20, Germany's Matthias Landfried (seen on the far left) conducted a giant two-hour training clinic at the club, attended by 46 members and guests. Photos by Jay Chelur.
174 players. In the final of the open, Sharon Alguetti (USATT-rated 2659) defeated Jishan Liang (2711) (6,-7,6,7). The semifinals featured matches with Nigeria's Ahmed Adeleye and Poland's Daniel Gorak. Results and winners' photos. Highlights reel • Video of the final • Sunday action shots from Rich London • Glen Randmer.
A World Table Tennis "feeder" tournament was held at Westchester, May 11-15. MetroSports magazine feature • News 12 story (1:54). Photos by Warren Rosenberg (Wed.) • Jay Chelur (Sun.) • Rich London (all days).
200 players, a new record. In the final of the open, Jishan Liang (USATT-rated 2703) defeated France's Damien Provost (2671) (11,-5,9,-8,8). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final (34:06) • Final condensed (11:05) • Video highlights • Action shots from Jay Chelur * Rich London • Glen Randmer.
Congratulations to Jacobo Vahnish and Kelly Liang for winning the Men's Singles and Women's Singles events, respectively, at the New York State Table Tennis Championships on April 10. Top results.
198 players, an all-time record. In the final of the open, Jishan Liang (2692) defeated Nigeria's Ojo Onaolapo (2595) (-6,5,9,10). Results and winners' photos. • Highlights • Video of the final with Ben Nisbet • Action shots from Jay Chelur • Glen Randmer • Rich London.
For three Wednesdays (Feb. 23 - Mar. 9), Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo, #84 in the world, conducted a master class at the WTTC on footwork, spin, and tournament strategy. Photos from Jay Chelur.
Twelve schools -- Boston College, Boston University, Brown, Columbia, Harvard, MIT, NYU, Princeton, Rutgers, SUNY Stony Brook, UMass Amherst, and Yale -- competed in the NCTTA Northeast Regional Championships on March 5-6. Photos from Warren Rosenberg • MetroSports magazine writeup • Numerous videos are available on YouTube (search on "2022 NCTTA Northeast Regionals").
191 players, with eight rated over 2500. In the final of the open, Jishan Liang (2676) defeated Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo (2634) (-6,5,12,8). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final • Semifinal #1 Olajide Omotayo vs. Romain Lorentz • Sunday action shots from Rich London • Glen Randmer.
Her Royal Highness, Princess Zeina Rashid of Jordan, a two-time Olympian in table tennis, performed exhibition matches at the WTTC on Feb. 6 to mrk the fifth anniversary of Ping Pong Parkinson. Also attending was U.S. women's champion Amy Wang. Article and photos from MetroSports Magazine.
76 hardy players, who braved a weekend snowstorm. The level of play was still high. Seven players were rated over 2500. In the final of the open, former Canadian men's champion Jeremy Hazin (2589) defeated Nigeria's Ojo Onaolapo (2588) (-8,5,9,7). Results and winners' photos. • Sunday action shots by Rich London • Videos: Semifinal #1 • Semifinal #2 • Final • Sunday highlights by Alhasan Mohamed (13:10).
119 players, including three rated over 2600. In the final of the open, Jian Li (2630) defeated Nigeria's Olajide Omotayo (2709, and world-ranked #92 by the ITTF) (-7,-10,9,10,4). Results and winners' photos. • Action shots from Warren Rosenberg • Video of the final.
Egypt's El-Sayed Lashin — three-time Olympian, three-time champion of the African Cup, formerly #76 in the world — led a training clinic and put on a table tennis exhibition at the club on Dec. 5. Jay Chelur's photos.
Austria's Robert Gardos — two-time Olympian, world-ranked #27 by the ITTF — led a training clinic and put on an exhibition at the club on Dec. 1.
134 players. In the final of the open, Finland's Benedek Oláh, world-ranked #78 by the ITTF, defeated Jishan Liang (2709) (7,8,9). Results and winners' photos. • Action shots from Jay Chelur • Rich London.
182 players. In the final of the open, Jishan Liang (2704) defeated Zongqi Zhong (2503) (12,10,9) — for a record-setting fourth consecutive win. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final. Action shots from Warren Rosenberg • Glen Randmer • Rich London • Jay Chelur • Julian Archer.
173 players. In an exciting open final, Jishan Liang (2693) defeated Jian Li (2618) (-8,6,8,-8,4), notching his third consecutive win. Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Action shots from Rich London • Jay Chelur • Julian Archer.
56 teams competed in the 1st Westchester Two-Persons Teams Championships on Sept. 4-6. $14,000 in prizes. Match results • Winners' photos • Action shots from Rich London • Julian Archer.
163 players. In the final of the open, Jishan Liang (2675) defeated Jayden Zhou (2544) (8,5,5). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final • Action shots from Glen Randmer • Jay Chelur • Rich London.
158 players, including six rated over 2500. In the final of the open, Jishan Liang (2659) defeated Kai Zhang (2649) (5,6,-4,9). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Action shots from Glen Randmer • Rich London.
The WTTC's Margie Alley, a regular at the club's Ping Pong Parkinson group, is shown on News 12 Westchester (1:52).
The WTTC's Kokou Fanny, on his way to the Olympics, is interviewed on News 12 Westchester (2:00).
On July 11, Eric Finkelstein, of Manhattan, set a Guinness world record for the longest table tennis serve -- 15.57 meters (51 feet 1 inch), achieved at the Westchester TTC. The previous record was 14.88 meters. News 12 Westchester story (1:53).
152 players. Return to 18 events. In the final of the open, Sharon Alguetti (USATT-rated 2719) defeated Kai Zhang (2676) (9,10,-7,9). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Action shots by Rich London • Glen Randmer.
Fayga Brisman, associate director at the Michael J. Fox Foundation, spoke to the Ping Pong Parkinsons on June 9.
The Westchester TTC hosted the finals of the U.S.'s T2 Season 2 on June 8 and 9, featuring 16 of the country's top players. Matches from the quarterfinals on were filmed for later broadcast. Jay Chelur's photos.
The Westchester TTC was part of a News Channel 12 piece "Road Trip Close to Home" on June 3. (1:57)
Dr. Leon Meytin, a neurologist with Hartford HealthCare, spoke at the June 2 Parkinson's meeting about new medication options for Parkinson's patients.
134 players. Eight events. In the final of the open, U.S. Olympian Juan Liu (USATT-rated 2597) came back from two games down to beat Canadian men's champion Jeremy Hazin (2651) (-5,-11,9,12,8). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Jay Chelur's photos.
On May 6 the Westchester Table Tennis Center marked 10 years since opening.
93 players. Covid-19 restrictions still in effect. In the final of the open, Mishel Levinski (USATT-rated 2561) defeated Texas' Jimmy Butler (2542) (7,-7,4,6). Results and winners' photos. Video of the finals • Saturday action shots from Jay Chelur.
Westchester's Ping Pong Parkinson program, led by Nenad Bach, was featured on Univision on April 6 (3:49).
91 players. The club's first tournament in five months. Covid-19 restrictions still in effect. In the final of the open, Gal Alguetti (USATT-rated 2618) defeated his twin brother Sharon (2639) (-5,6,7,8). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final • Jay Chelur's photos Day 1, Day 2.
On Feb. 21 Westchester hosted five regional matches in season two of the U.S. T2 Challenge. The filmed matches will be shown starting in March. Left to right: Jian Li, Sharon Alguetti, Kokou Fanny, Mishel Levinski, Matilda Ekholm, Juan Liu, Adar Alguetti, Jon Ebuen. (Not pictured: Massao Kohatsu.) Photos by Warren Rosenberg, Jay Chelur.
On Dec. 20, Will Shortz completed his 3,000th consecutive day of playing table tennis. Photos by Jay Chelur. Article about the streak for USA Table Tennis.
Westchester's candidates for the new USATT T2 Challenge, starting Feb. 2021, are Juan Liu (2662), Sharon Alguetti (2604), Matilda Ekholm (2590), Adar Alguetti (2574), Mishel Levinski (2570), Jian Li (2564), Jon Ebuen (2558), and Kokou Fanny (2482). Mishel won his spot by defeating Gal Alguetti (video here). Kokou Fanny advanced by defeating Felix Lartey (here).
Westchester mourns the loss of our friend George Braithwaite, USATT Hall of Famer and one of the giants in table tennis history. Film appreciation by Jules Apatini (3:01) • ITTF announcement • Hall of Fame profile • Bio.
92 players, with all four events being full or close to full. Covid-19 restrictions in effect. In the final of the open event, Ernesto Ebuen (USATT-rated 2529) defeated Adar Alguetti (2577) (-5,7,-7,7,9). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final • Photos by Jay Chelur.
The WTTC's 100th Open. 88 players, including six rated over 2500. Covid-19 rules and protocols. In the final of the open event, Sharon Alguetti (USATT-rated 2631) defeated Mishel Levinski (2552) (8,11,5). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the finals • Photos by Jay Chelur + Warren Rosenberg • MetroSports magazine writeup.
News 12 in Westchester included the WTTC in its Sept. 4 show "We're Open." See 5:02-6:58.
82 players, with attendance limited on account of pandemic rules. In the final of the open event, Adar Alguetti (USATT-rated 2581) defeated Kokou Fanny (2444) (7,9,3). Results and winners' photos • Video of the finals • Saturday action shots from Jay Chelur.
The WTTC hosted four live T2 Challenges — kicking off a national run — on July 30 (Tom Feng vs. Kai Zhang), Aug. 6 (Juan Liu vs. Sharon Alguetti), Aug. 13 (Amy Wang vs. Adar Alguetti), and Aug. 20 (Jennifer Wu vs. Tahl Liebovitz). Click links for reports and photos from MetroSports magazine.
The WTTC's Nenad Bach is the subject of a 5-1/2 minute film "Nenad Who Plays Ping-Pong," which is a 2020 Cannes Young Director Award Shortlist Selection. You can watch it here.
The April 2020 Swaythling magazine, published by the ITTF, has articles about the Westchester TTC (pp. 24-25) and Ping Pong Parkinson's (pp. 18-23).
The ITTF released this film (2:46) about the 1st Parkinson's World Table Tennis Championships, held at Westchester in October 2019.
Twelve schools -- Boston University, Brooklyn College, Brown, Columbia, Harvard, NJIT, Northeastern, NYU, St. John's, Stony Brook, Tufts, and UMass Amherst -- competed in the NCTTA Northeast Regional Championships on Feb. 29-Mar. 1. • Video of Day 1, Day 2 • Highlight reel • Results • Photos by Jay Chelur, Nancy Zhou.
192 players, tying the club record. In the final of the open event, two-time Canadian champion Jeremy Hazin (USATT-rated 2614) defeated Sharon Alguetti (2658) (9,-3,-4,7,7). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Highlights + interview with Jeremy • Action shots from Jay Chelur, Glen Randmer, Rich London • Spectator's program.
Derek Abrefa, 12-time national champion of Ghana, who won the U2500 event in January, trained at Westchester for seven weeks in January and February. He left this report.
153 players. In the final of the open event, Chinese Super League player Sheng Xi (USATT-rated 2780) defeated Kai Zhang (2630) (9,-14,3,11). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Action shots from Jay Chelur (Day 1, Day 2), Glen Randmer, Rich London • Articles about Ghana's Derek Abrefa here, here and here • Spectator's program.
184 players, with an "All-guetti" final — Sharon Alguetti (2652) beat his twin brother Gal (2625) (-9,4,10,7). The third Alguetti brother, Adar, lost in a semi to Sharon. Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final • Saturday/Sunday action shots from Rich London • Sunday from Glen Randmer • Spectator's program.
The WTTC hosted the 1st China/U.S. Table Tennis Friendship Cup on Dec. 21. Fifteen teams competed. Glen Randmer's photos.
154 players, including five rated over 2600. In the final of the open, Sharon Alguetti (2638) beat Kai Zhang (2677) (9,4,7). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final • Action shots from Glen Randmer • Rich London • Spectator's program.
The WTTC's Kai Zhang helped the USA men reach the quarterfinal of the Team World Cup in Tokyo on Nov. 6-10. Leon Libin article (with photos) in MetroSports Magazine.
175 players, including a two-time Canadian champion, two leading players from Quebec, and a Nigerian (once ITTF-ranked #214) who now plays for a club in Portugal. In the final of the open, 42-year-old Yanjun Gao (rated 2502) beat Jiang Niu (2467) (13,8,3) to become the second-oldest Westchester Open champion ever. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Action shots from Glen Randmer • Jay Chelur • Rich London • Spectator's program.
(Photo by Warren Rosenberg)
Westchester hosted the 1st ITTF World Parkinson's Table Tennis Championships on Oct. 11-13. Players and officials came from more than 20 countries. ITTF article #1, #2 • Journal News article • MetroSports Magazine • KTVZ news feature • USATT article • Margie Alley article + link to film • Full results • Action shots from Glen Randmer • Jay Chelur • Leon Libin.
Westchester hosted a USATT National Ranking Tournament for players 18 and under on Oct. 3-6. Almost 100 participated. Results. Photos by Jay Chelur.
155 players. In the final of the open event, Juan Liu beat Yijun Feng (6,9,-6,9) for her third win in a row. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Action shots from Warren Rosenberg • Glen Randmer • Rich London • Spectator's program.
The WTTC hosted a National Ranking Tournament for adults on Aug. 30-Sept. 1. Among the men the players with the best records were Xin Zhou (7-0), Yijun Feng (5-2), and Nikhil Kumar (5-2). The best records among the women were by Juan Liu (6-0), Amy Wang (4-2), and Lily Zhang (4-2). Saturday action shots from Glen Randmer • Sunday shots from Jay Chelur • Friday-Sunday shots by Rich London • USATT photos and videos.
177 players, including five rated over 2600. In the final, Juan Liu (USATT-rated 2654) came from behind and repeated her July win by beating Poland's Daniel Gorak (2619; former ITTF world-ranked #52) in five games (9,-3,-10,9,11). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final (Liu vs. Gorak) • Semifinal #1 Liu vs. Jiwei Xu) • #2 Gorak vs. Yijun Feng • Action shots by Glen Randmer • Rich London • Spectator's program (featuring Jian Li).
On August 8 Will Shortz celebrated 2,500 consecutive days of playing table tennis. Channel 12 News story • Video of the party • Photos by Glen Randmer.
A record 192 players, including six rated over 2600. All of Sunday's events were full. The total of prize money awarded at the Westchester Open since 2011 passed half a million dollars. The tournament had its first female champion — Juan Liu (rated 2617), who defeated Jiwei Xu (2701) (5,-7,7,7). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Semi #1 • Semi #2 • Action shots from Warren Rosenberg • Glen Randmer • Rich London • Spectator's program • MetroSports article • USATT article.
129 players, with many regulars away for the U.S. Nationals. In a nail-biting final of the open, the WTTC's Kai Zhang (USATT-rated 2644) upset China's Jiwei Xu (2716) in five games (11,-10,-4,6,10). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Zhang vs. Bochao Li semifinal • Action shots from Rich London • Spectator's program.
France's Antoine Hachard (far right) (world-ranked #153 by the ITTF) and Valeria Petrova (second from right) (Estonia #1 female) conducted two 90-minute training sessions at Westchester on June 12.
The Westchester TTC welcomed the Hot Shots Table Tennis club from Jersey City, N.J., on Friday, May 31, for a friendly competition and party. Results.
168 players. In the final of the open, reigning U.S. Open champion Eugene Wang (USATT-rated 2758) defeated Nigeria's Makanjuola Kazeem (2662) (9,5,3). Great five-game semifinal between Kazeem and Jian Li (2603). Results and winners' photos • Video of the final • Semifinal Kazeem vs. Li • Wang vs. Levinski • Behind-the-back Levinski shot (starting at 10:12) • Action shots from Jay Chelur • Glen Randmer • Rich London • Spectator's program.
The Westchester TTC welcomed the Madison (N.J.) 'Y' TTC on Saturday, May 18, for a friendly competition and party.
153 players. In the final of the open, Kaden Xu (USATT-rated 2722) defeated Sharon Alguetti (2629) (6,-10,6,7). Results and winners' photos. Action shots by Glen Randmer • Jay Chelur, Day 1 • Day 2 • Rich London • Video of the final by Ben Nisbet • Interview with Kaden (2:27) • Spectator's program.
The WTTC's Kai Zhang was interviewed in April about his life and table tennis goals on Sinovision TV (in Chinese; 10:23).
149 players. In the final of the open, Kaden Xu (USATT-rated 2713) defeated Kai Zhang (2654) (2,6,5). Results and winners' photos. Video of semifinal Qin vs. Zhang • Li vs. Xu • Final Xu vs. Zhang • Action shots from Rich London • Glen Randmer • Jay Chelur • Ashoke Tewari Day 1, Day 2.
The NCTTA Northeast Regional Championships were held at the WTTC on March 9-10. More than a dozen schools took part in singles and team competition. Results • Report with photos in MetroSports Magazine • Action shots from Glen Randmer • Warren Rosenberg • Nancy Zhou.
167 players in an extraordinarily strong field — 15 rated over 2500. In an all-foreign final, Austria's Robert Gardos (ranked #52 by the ITTF) beat Korea's Tae Hoon Kim (USATT-rated 2666) (9,6,6). In the semifinals, Gardos beat Kai Zhang (2654) in five games; Kim beat Kaden Xu (2722) in four. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Gardos/Zhang semifinal • Kim/Xu semifinal • Audio interview (4:07) with Gardos. • Program • Action shots from Rich London • Jay Chelur Day 1, Day 2 • Glen Randmer.
More than 30 players 12 and under took part in the USATT Hopes Training Camp and Tournament on Feb. 8-10, under the direction of national coach Pieke Franssen, Judy Hugh, and the WTTC's Rawle Alleyne and Kokou Fanny. In the final of the Boys event, the MDTTC's Stanley Hsu (USATT-rated 2144) defeated Aryan Jha (1926) (4,8,6). In the Girls event, the best records were compiled by Ava Sun (1848) and Amoolya Menon (1325). Photos from Warren Rosenberg • Glen Randmer • Jay Chelur.
Missing our dear friend and table tennis companion, Lloyd (Benji) Benjamin.
180 players, including nine rated over 2500. In the final, Kaden Xu (USATT-rated 2696) upset the reigning U.S. Open champion Eugene Wang (2806) (9,5,6). Results and winners' photos • Videos of the Xu/Hazin semifinal • Wang/Alguetti semifinal • Wang/Xu final • Audio interview with Kaden (3:22) • Another (1:06) • Program • Action shots from Jay Chelur • Glen Randmer • Rich London.
186 players, one less than the record. Players came from Finland, Germany, Spain, South Africa, Guyana, Hong Kong, Canada, and coast to coast in the U.S. In the final, Kaden Xu (USATT-rated 2691) defeated Zhiwen He (2671) (14,10,-11,7). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final. • Action shots from Glen Randmer • Rich London.
Almost 70 players -- young and old, of all skill levels -- took part in the WTTC's annual Holiday Camp Dec. 27-28.
142 players, including a nine-member team from South Korea. In an all-Westchester final, Kai Zhang (USATT-rated 2633) defeated Sharon Alguetti (2590) (7,-6,7,9). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final. • Ben Nisbet's interview with Kai (2:55) • Photos by Jay Chelur • Glen Randmer • Henry Lee • Rich London.
149 players, including nine rated over 2500. In the final, two-time Canadian champion Jeremy Hazin (2571) defeated Jian Li (2564) (10,8,-7,-15,12). Results and winners' photos. • Program • Video of the final • Jay Chelur's photos Day 1 • Day 2 • Photos from Glen Randmer • Rich London • Henry Lee
El-Sayed Lashin, former #76 in the world, and Ibrahim Hamato, who learned to play table tennis without his arms after a train accident at age 10, visited the club on Oct. 21 and played exhbiition matches. • MetroSports report and photos • Photos by Jay Chelur.
139 players. In the final, Jishan Liang (USATT-rated 2626) beat Kai Zhang (2642) (13,9,-4,-7,4). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final. Interview with Jishan (:50). Action pics from Warren Rosenberg • Jay Chelur • Glen Randmer.
179 players, including 10 rated over 2500. In the final, the WTTC's Sharon Alguetti (2681) beat Japan's Akifumi Hamakawa (2683) (11,-7,10,-8,9). Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final. • Game 5 of the final only (edited) • Interview with Sharon Alguetti (1:23) • Tournament program. • USATT report • Glen Randmer's action shots.
187 players, a new WTTC record. In the final, the WTTC's Sharon Alguetti (rated 2648) beat Jishan Liang (also 2648) (-6,7,7,9). First prize was newly raised to $2,000. Taipei's De-Yang Chih won U2500; Slovakia's Peter Turcek won U2350, Ghana's Courage Nanevie won U2200, and Jamaica's Curtis Dehaney was on a winning doubles team. Results and winners' photos. • Video of the final. • Semifinal #1 Sharon vs. Akifumi Hamakawa • Semifinal #2 Jishan vs. Gal Alguetti • Ben Nisbet's interview with Sharon (1:54). • USATT article. • Sunday action shots from Glen Randmer.
Co-founder of the Rivertowns Table Tennis Club, the predecessor of the Westchester TTC, Stefan Kanfer was a longtime writer/editor for Time magazine and the author of best-selling biographies of Marlon Brando, Lucille Ball, Groucho Marx, and other celebrities. A wit, a raconteur, a good friend, and member #1 of the Westchester TTC. We miss him.
138 players, including 12 rated over 2500. In the final, Poland's Lucjan Blaszczyk (2758; former ITTF top 20 in the world) defeated Jishan Liang (2634) (7,5,-5,11). In a semifinal match, chopper/smasher Jian Li (2640) forced Lucjan to five games. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • Blaszczyk/Li semfinal. Action shots from Jay Chelur • Henry Lee • Joel Hoffman • Glen Randmer.
A record 174 players, including four rated over 2600. In the final, Kaden Xu (2686) defeated Jishan Liang (2650) (7,5,6). The most spectacular match was the five-game semifinal Xu vs. Jian Li. Results and winners' photos. Video of the final • semifinal #1 (Xu vs. Jian Li). Jay Chelur's photos Day 1 • Day 2. Glen Randmer's Day 2 photos.
140 players. In the final, Marco Navas (2478) of the Venezuelan table tennis team fell to Sharon Alguetti (2639), defaulting while down 4-0 in the fourth game. In the semis, Marco beat Jian Li (2638) (-11,10,10,7), and Sharon beat Kai Zhang (2646) (11,7,11). Results and winners' photos. Video of the final. Glen Randmer's photos • Jay Chelur's photos Day 1 • Day 2.
147 players. In the final, Jian Li (2624) defaulted to Kai Zhang (2610) with a leg cramp, after being down (-10,10,4, and 4-2 in fourth). Results and winners' photos. Action shots from Jay Chelur (Day 1, Day 2), Glen Randmer. Video of the final.
Twelve schools — Brandeis, Brooklyn, Brown, Columbia, FIT, MIT, Northeastern, NYU, Rutgers, SUNY Stonybrook, Tufts, and Yale — competed in the Northeast NCTTA Championship on March 10-11. As a team, NYU took first place. NYU's Adar Alguetti won men's singles. Erica Wu won women's singles. Photos from Glen Randmer. MetroSports Magazine writeup.
On Sunday, March 4, eight members of the Madison (NJ) 'Y' TTC came to Westchester for a friendly interclub competition. All players were rated 1700-2050. Each player played everyone on the opposing team -- 64 matches in all. Westchester won 33-31. Pizza, snacks, and soft drinks were served. Photos and More photos by Joe Wu.
169 players, including 10 rated over 2500. In the final, Junhan Wu (2698) defeated Jian Li (2614) (2,5,6). Nigeria's Hammed Adeyinka (world-ranked #577 by the ITTF) reached the quarterfinals. Results and winners' photos. Sunday action shots from Warren Rosenberg, Glen Randmer. Video of the final.
The world's first Parkinson's Table Tennis Championship was held at the club on Saturday, Feb. 17. The players included one from Denmark and six from the WTTC. Photo-essay by Bruce Ballard. Glen Randmer's photos. Channel 12 news piece (:53).
163 players. In the final, the WTTC's Sharon Alguetti (2615) defeated China's Nuo Xu (2533) (-8,4,10,3). Sharon is only the second U.S.-trained player to win the tournament, and Nuo is only the third female player to reach the final. Results and winners' photos. Glen Randmer's action shots. Video of the final.
More publicity for the WTTC's Ping Pong for Parkinson's program ran on the Mandarin channel of Voice of America (3 minutes 26 seconds). Video.
The WTTC's innovative Ping Pong for Parkinson's program was featured on the CBS Evening News on Dec. 30. Video.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Around 20 people attended a party for the launch of Rob Bernstein's new book, "Uniquely Normal" In Dec. 2017. Rob discussed several of the book's 27 case studies on treating autism.
On October 3, 2017, Will celebrated five years -- 1,826 days -- of playing table tennis every day. More than 75 players attended. Jay Chelur's photos.
Seven-time table tennis Olympian Zoran Primorac, from Croatia, led two 90-minute training clinics at the club on Sunday, June 18, 2017. Altogether 37 players took part, with many additional guests for a party. Croatian rock star and club member Nenad Bach arranged the visit. Report by Leon Libin. Photos from Glen Randmer, Joel Hoffman. Video highlights.
The Westchester TTC hosted the ping-pong play "ChipandGus," written and performed by John Ahlin and Christopher Patrick Mullen, on Friday, April 28, 2017, to rave reviews. 75 people attended.
The Westchester TTC launched Parkinson's Night, for people with Parkinson's disease, on March 1, 2017. Channel 12 News covered it here.
On April 25, 2016, the WTTC was the site of filming for a prospective weekly TV series in which people settle disputes and rivalries over a ping-pong table. Photos of the evening from Glen Randmer, Joel Hoffman.NCTTA NE Championships
Congratulations to the winners of the NCTTA's Northeast regional championship, held at the WTTC on Feb. 27-28: Coed team — 1st Baruch, 2nd NYU, 3rd Columbia. Women's team — NYU. Men's singles — Mishel Levinski, Baruch. Women's singles — Mandy Liu, NYU. Results. Round-by-round scores (click on Northeast Regional Championships "Results"). Photos and video. MetroSports magazine all about the tournament.
Will Shortz celebrated playing table tennis for his 1,000th consecutive day on June 30, 2015. The filmmakers Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman ("Catfish," "Paranormal Activity 3" and "4") presented a video on Will. Journal News article + video on the party. Vulture article + interview. MetroSports Magazine article (pp. 22-26). Photos from Warren Rosenberg / Glen Randmer / Joel Hoffman / Laurel Gollo.
(Photo by Kirk Smith - Click on image to enlarge)
Thank you to Westchester TTC members for donating $6,395 to help Trevor Salmon (above center) after his stroke. Robert and Will delivered a check on May 10.
Note ... For tournament summaries from before 2016, see here.