Table tennis world tournaments and organizations
The ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) looks after table tennis around the world. It started in 1926, makes the rules of the game and keeps the world rankings.
Each region of the world has its own group: Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America and Oceania. They run regional championships, and doing well there can lead to world events.
The biggest events are the Olympic Games (table tennis has been included since 1988) and the World Championships. At the World Championships, singles and doubles events take place in one year, and team events in another.
Players with disabilities have their own World Championships too. Para table tennis has been in the Paralympic Games since 1960.
Professional players also play the WTT tour. It's like a ladder of events, from small Feeder events up to the four Grand Smashes at the top. The higher the event, the more ranking points and prize money.
A common path: join a club, win national events, get picked by your country's association, then play regional and world events. Dates and names change, so check the ITTF or WTT websites for the latest.
Sources: ITTF — International Table Tennis Federation · World Table Tennis (WTT)
Quick quiz
1. Which organization runs table tennis worldwide?
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The ITTF. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), founded in 1926, runs the sport worldwide and sets its laws.
2. Since which Games has table tennis been an Olympic sport?
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1988. Table tennis joined the Olympic Games in 1988 at Seoul. Para table tennis has been in the Paralympics since 1960.
3. How are the World Championships arranged?
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Individual and team events take turns in different years. Individual events and team events alternate between years.
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