About Table Tennis
Table Tennis
Rules
Table Tennis

Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two players in Singles or four players in Doubles use lightweight and hollow balls and hit them across a table tennis table with rackets. The game is played on a hard and flat table tennis table with a net in the middle. Except when serving, players are required to let the ball bounce once on their own side of the table and then hit it over the net to the opponent's side. Failing to do so results in a point for the opposing player. Generally, table tennis matches require quick speed and agility. Skilled players can control the ball's trajectory through spin, using it to attack the opponent and create advantageous situations for themselves.

Ckeck the
Table
Tennis Rule on ITTF
Table Tennis history
  • 1880′s
    • 1880
      adaptation of lawn Tennis to the dining table with improvised equipment
    • 1887
      James Devonshire (ENG) granted provisional patent for his “Table Tennis”, abandoned
  • 1900’s
    • 1900
      Introduction of celluloid balls to replace rubber and cork ones
    • 1901
      The celluloid ball had the perfect bounce, and the game became a huge success
  • 1920’s
    • 1926
      International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) initiated in Berlin
    • 1926
      First World Championships held in London, England
      ITTF Constitution adopted, along with first set of standardized Laws
  • 1950’s
    • 1952
      Nineteenth World Championships held in Bombay, India the first to be staged in Asia.
      Inauguration of the Asian Federation & First Asian Federation Championships
    • 1958
      First European Championships, Budapest, Hungary
  • 1980’s
    • 1988
      For the very first time, table tennis was featured in the Olympic Games, held in Seoul, Republic of Korea
  • 2000’s
    • 2000
      After the Olympics in Sydney, the ball size is increased to 40mm for improved television viewing
    • 2001
      Game score changed from 21 to 11 points at the World Championships held in Osaka, Japan. Total triumph for China for the third time, winning all of the seven gold medals
    • 2003
      Team Championships separated from individual events, held in alternate years
    • 2004
      During the Olympic Games in Athens, Table Tennis ranked 5th among all sports for television viewing audience
    2000’s
    • 2000
      After the Olympics in Sydney, the ball size is increased to 40mm for improved television viewing
    • 2001
      Game score changed from 21 to 11 points World Championships held in Osaka, Japan. Total triumph for China for the third time, winning all of the seven gold medals
    • 2003
      Team Championships separated from individual events, held in alternate years
    • 2004
      During the Olympic Games in Athens, Table Tennis ranked 5th among all sports for television viewing audience
  • 2010′s
    - NOW
    • 2010
      Table Tennis is part of the first Youth Olympic Games
    • 2016
      Plastic balls used at World Championships & Olympics
History of the
World Table Tennis
Championships
  • The Inaugural
    World Table Tennis Championships

    (London, United Kingdom)

    • 1926

      The Inaugural
      World Table Tennis
      Championships

      (London, United Kingdom)

      The first World Table Tennis Championships were held in London, United Kingdom, in December 1926. A total of nine countries participated in this prestigious tournament, with five categories featured, including Men's Team, Men's Singles, Men's Doubles, Women's Singles, and Mixed Doubles.
  • 13th
    World Table Tennis Championships

    (Cairo, Egypt)

    • 1939

      13th
      World Table Tennis
      Championships

      (Cairo, Egypt)

      The 13th edition of the World Table Tennis Championships in 1939 marked the first occasion of the tournament being held outside Europe, with the event taking place in Cairo, Egypt. To commemorate the event, Farouk, then the King of Egypt, donated the so-called "Egypt Cup" to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). This trophy is still held in high esteem and is preserved by each hosting nation, symbolizing the honor and friendship associated with the World Championships.
  • 32nd
    World Table Tennis Championships

    (Sarajevo, Yugoslavia)

    • 1973

      32nd
      World Table Tennis
      Championships

      (Sarajevo, Yugoslavia)

      In the 32nd World Table Tennis Championships held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 1973, Korean women’s team emerged victorious on the global stage. The squad, comprised of Jung Hyun-sook, Park Mi-ra, Lee Erisa, Kim Soon-ok, and Na In-sook, swept through the preliminary leagues, and their victories against China, Japan, and Hungary in the final leagues saw them clinch the championship. Their historic triumph was Korea's first global victory in table tennis, and the team was warmly celebrated by the nation.
  • 41st
    World Table Tennis Championships

    (Chiba, Japan)

    • 1991

      41st
      World Table Tennis
      Championships

      (Chiba, Japan)

      The 41st World Table Tennis Championships held in Chiba, Japan, in 1991 were particularly special. The tournament was characterized by various novel initiatives; for the first time, matches were played on a blue, rather than green, table, orange balls were used, and white uniforms were permitted. Beyond generating significant interest, the highlight of the tournament was undoubtedly the victory of the united Korean women's team.
  • ITTF World Team Table Tennis
    Championships

    (Busan, Republic of Korea)

    • 2020

      ITTF
      World Team Table Tennis
      Championships

      (Busan, Republic of Korea)

      Despite Korea's prowess in table tennis, the country had not had the opportunity to host the World Table Tennis Championships. In May 2018, it was confirmed that Busan would host Korea's inaugural World Championships in March 2020. However, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 led to the tournament being postponed three times before it was ultimately canceled.
  • ITTF World Team Table Tennis
    Championships
    presented by BNK Busan Bank

    (Busan, Republic of Korea)

    • 2024

      ITTF
      World Team Table Tennis
      Championships
      presented by BNK Busan Bank

      (Busan, Republic of Korea)

      At the ITTF Annual General Meeting held in Houston, USA, in November 2021, Busan was finally confirmed as the host city for the 2024 World Table Tennis Championships.
      This decision reflects Busan's persistent efforts to secure the hosting rights and the disappointment and aspiration of table tennis enthusiasts following the unavoidable cancellation of the 2020 Busan Championships. The monumental moment of Korea hosting its first-ever World Table Tennis Championships, set to occur on February 16, 2024, is eagerly anticipated.
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