Beijing to host WTT Grand Smash in autumn

Beijing will host the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash for five years straight starting this autumn, after the Chinese capital was awarded hosting rights on Tuesday.

The organizers announced in a press conference that this year's event will be staged from September 26 to October 6 at Shougang Park in Shijingshan District. The event will join the Singapore Smash and Saudi Arabia Smash to award a maximum of 2,000 points across five events, including the men's and women's singles, doubles, and the mixed doubles. The Saudi Smash was announced earlier last month as the second host of the series. 

"We're honored to be back in this Olympic city, which has not seen a major international table tennis event of this scale since the 26th World Table Tennis Championships in 1961. With China being our largest market and Beijing the capital, we couldn't be prouder to bring the China Smash to such an iconic location. This is a testament to the sport's growth, the appeal of the WTT Grand Smash and the city's enduring appeal," said WTT director Steve Dainton, who is also International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group CEO.

"Beijing, the capital of China, is also a globally renowned sports city. It has proudly hosted both the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympics. Now, with the arrival of a WTT Grand Smash, the premier international table tennis event, Beijing's esteemed capability to host major sporting events is once again highlighted. I am confident that we will not only honor our rich history but also forge new milestones," said Liu Guoliang, president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association and chairman of the WTT board. 

The WTT China Smash is the first time Beijing will host a top-flight table tennis event of the ITTF Group since the 26th World Table Tennis Championships back in 1961.

(Cover: Players in action during the WTT Singapore Smash women's doubles final in Singapore. March 16, 2024. /CFP)