Killerspin - A lot of table tennis fans are anticipating for the World Cup competitions later this month. However, it seems that there is something equally interesting as well happening at the same time as table tennis champions will gather in the American City of Chicago.
On September 27 to 29, the first ever Chicago International Table Tennis Festival will be staged in Chicago, Illinois gathering top-class table tennis players from China, South Korea, Europe, South America and of course, from the host United States of America.
According to the website, the competition has invited the reigning world champion and Olympic champion Zhang Jike. Just recently, Zhang Jike was reported to have given up the Men's World Cup, giving way to Ma Long.
Aside from Zhang Jike, more Chinese players are expected to be present in Chicago as well. The Killerspin's endorsee and Olympic Doubles champion, Chen Qi, world champion Wang Liqin, and the reigning world champion Ding Ning also appeared in the list of participants. Meanwhile, either the 2008 Olympic champion Ma Lin or the three-time Olympic silver medalist Wang Hao might also join the Chinese Team in Chicago.
Aside from China, the South Korean and 2004 Olympic champion Ryu Seung Min, along with Kim Min Seok will also grace the invitation.
European stars Kalinikos Kreanga, Bojan Tokic, Jorgen Persson, Chen Weixing, and Zoran Primorac also appeared on the list.
The host will be well represented by US Champion Ilija Lupulesku and the American table tennis sensation Ariel Hsing.
This table tennis festival is jointly presented by Killerspin, who is at the same time celebrating their 10th anniversary, EKI, 1871, Chicago Sports, Hilton, Chicago, and the Chinese network CCTV. As the biggest television station in China, CCTV has already committed to broadcast the competitions from Chicago, to the millions of viewers in China.
Tickets are already being sold online via the killerspin website. Order your tickets now.
Photo source: 2012.sina.com.cn
Xu Xin
Ma Long
Wang Hao
Zhang Jike
Timo Boll
Chuang Chih-Yuan
Dimitrij Ovtcharov
Ma Lin
Wang Liqin
Jun Mizutani
Ding Ning
Liu Shiwen
Li Xiaoxia
Feng Tianwei
Guo Yan
Zhu Yuling
Shen Yanfei
Kasumi Ishikawa
Wu Yang
Kim Kyungah