Sports

National table tennis competition returns to the city – Our Communities

While cortisol may be in overdrive for many competitive athletes leading up to a national championship, this is not the case for everyone.

For Terry Zhang, he’s excited because it’s his first time competing on the national stage in a decade, and it’s the first time in a decade that Winnipeg has hosted the Canadian Table Tennis Championships.

More than 350 athletes from across the country – and about 50 Manitobans – are preparing for the national championship, which will take place July 17-23 at the University of Winnipeg’s Duckworth Center (400 Spence St.)

Photo by Table Tennis Canada U-15 team athletes Alexus Lee, Rhea Liu and coach Nury Vasquez on the podium where they finished with a silver medal at the 2025 Canadian Championships in Richmond, B.C. — Photo by Table Tennis Canada

U-15 team athletes Alexus Lee, Rhea Liu and coach Nury Vasquez on the podium where they finished with a silver medal at the 2025 Canadian Championships in Richmond, B.C.

“A lot of people are nervous around this time, but I’m excited,” laughed Zhang.

Zhang is a four-time national table tennis champion with a professional career in the sport spanning 26 years.

Recently, he and his friend Poy Riankasemsaku opened a new ping pong club called The Pong Room, where Zhang works as the head coach.

Zhang says he had fun, but focused on wearing his “entrepreneurial hat,” and is excited to compete again.

In his role as head coach, he trains junior and senior players who compete.

“We train endurance and endurance,” said Zhang, explaining that on competition days, participants could be on and off the field all day.

According to Carlos Cuadra, executive director of the Manitoba Table Tennis Association, the gym will have 16 tables that can accommodate 36 players at a time.

“We take this prestigious event very seriously,” Cuadra said, and all equipment during the competition will be of professional quality and in accordance with the standards of the International Table Tennis Federation, which coincidentally celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026.

Cuadra said he has noticed growth in the sport since he started playing more than a dozen years ago.

“(I think) more and more people are discovering the health benefits, even the ones you wouldn’t think of, like using your brain, you know, trying to follow the little white ball,” he laughed.

He added that table tennis is accessible, which could be another reason for the growth.

“It’s easy to play all year round,” Cuadra said. “And it’s affordable.”

Zhang says he thinks the reason for the growth of table tennis in Winnipeg is immigration.

“It’s gone up because of immigration, they’re bringing people to this sport,” said Zhang, an immigrant from China.

“It has grown a lot, ten years ago people didn’t know where to play,” Zhang added, noting that he expects The Pong Room to be busier with visiting competitors curious about a professional but entertainment-oriented table tennis company.

“There are high-level people coming. These are the best players. It’s the Canadian Championship, the biggest tournament in the country,” said Zhang, explaining the importance of the tournament.

“(This is) an opportunity for spectators to watch high-quality table tennis,” Cuadra said. “Our goal is to get people involved… (and) support our athletes.”

Top junior competitors from national countries are invited to represent Canada at the Pan American Youth Championship in Guatemala City from August 23 to 30.

Tickets cost 5 euros and are available at the door. For more information, schedules and rankings, visit mtta.ca/index.php/nationals2026

Rylee Gerard
Community journalist

Rylee Gerrard is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email her at [email protected] or call her at 204-697-7150.

ExBulletin

National table tennis competition returns to the city – Our Communities

Sports

National table tennis competition returns to the city – Our Communities

Related

Recent Posts

Add ExBulletin to your Home screen!