Beijing’s Shougang Park has become the focal point for table tennis enthusiasts during China’s week-long National Day holiday. Just under two months after the Paris Olympics, the park successfully hosted the 2024 WTT China Smash, a prestigious event in the World Table Tennis (WTT) series that featured the world’s top table tennis players.
This event marked the largest international table tennis competition held in Beijing since the 1961 World Championships, drawing significant attention from both local and global audiences. The high demand for tickets underscored the event’s popularity and the city’s vibrant sports culture.
World Table Tennis CEO Steve Dainton expressed his excitement about the event’s return to Beijing. \"We are very proud and very happy that we can come back to the capital of China, Beijing,\" Dainton stated in an interview with Sports Scene's Zhu Mandan. \"In 1961, we held the first ever ITTF Table Tennis World Championships in Beijing, China, and we are now holding the first ever WTT Grand Smash in Beijing. It will be a wonderful and historic moment, and we are very happy to be here in the most important city in this wonderful country.\"
The 2024 WTT China Smash not only celebrates the rich history of table tennis in Beijing but also reinforces the city’s status as a hub for international sports events. Fans and players alike are thrilled to witness this significant moment, blending tradition with modern sporting excellence.
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Beijing hailed for hosting 1st major table tennis event since 1961
cgtn.com
