Monday 14 July 2014

Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Table Tennis

By Steven Oldham

Click HERE for Commonwealth Games homepage

Table tennis is a relatively new sport at the Commonwealths - it debuted in 2002 in Manchester and despite only being an optional sport has featured at every edition since.

There will be plenty of ping pong action on show in Glasgow this summer with events in singles, doubles and a team event all set to take place.

It is also one of the biggest participations sports worldwide.

WHEN?

The table tennis competition spans the majority of the Games from July 24-August 2.

WHERE?

Both table tennis and squash competitions will take place at the Scotstoun Sports Campus in the west end of Glasgow. Matches will be played on an impressive ten tables, including two show courts, to get through the packed programme on schedule.

WHO?

Singapore are the dominant force in Commonwealth history, sweeping the board in Delhi last time out, where they took home six gold medals from a possible eight.

A raft of their champions are back for more Commonwealth action including men's and women's reigning singles champions Yang Zi and Feng Tianwei respectively.

Singapore are the only Commonwealth nation to make a real impact on the international game, where China dominate, along with Japan and South Korea. In Olympic history, the Chinese have claimed 24 of 28 available gold medals since the sport debuted in 1988.

England are second in the all time medal table at the Commonwealths but failed to win a gold four years ago, with a silver in the men's team event their best result. All these players excluding Darius Knight return for Glasgow, as does Joanna Drinkhall (nee Parker), who won bronze with husband Paul in Delhi in the mixed doubles.

Nigeria and India took the other gold medals four years ago and along with New Zealand are the only two countries to win a tournament at the Games. They have three gold medals apiece going into these Games. There is no para-sport event this year however, which is where Nigeria won their gold medal in 2010 through Kate Nwaka Oputa in the wheelchair singles.

LET ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...
  • Points are scored when the opponent fails to return the ball within the lines, or hits it off the table, or into the net.
  • The first player to 11 points wins the game. A match can last up to five games.
  • The player serving alternates every two points, regardless of who has won previous points
  • Players swap ends at the end of each game, think half time in football or sets in tennis
  • The International Table Tennis Federation has an impressive 218 members nations, more than FIFA

CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS?

Yes, but tickets are running low. Get the latest information and availability here.

Singapore's Feng Tianwei is back to defend her singles title
(Charles Tan)

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