Doha: The World Table Tennis Championships (WTT) is set to make a historic return to Doha, as the city prepares to host the upcoming edition from May 17 to 25. This will mark the first time an Arab and Middle Eastern country organizes the event, which is expected to witness record participation with 640 players from 127 countries.
According to Qatar News Agency, the World Table Tennis Championships is among the most prestigious events in the sport, creating legends and placing nations on the global map since its inception in the 1920s. The first official edition was held in 1926 in London, organized by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), which was established that same year.
Initially, the tournament was an annual event focused on men's events, with only nine European countries participating. Over the decades, the championships expanded significantly, introducing women's events and attracting global participation, particularly from Asian countries, which have dominated the sport since the late 1950s.
The early years saw Hungarian players like Maria Mednyanszky and Viktor Barna dominate the championships. However, significant changes came in the 1950s when Japan introduced new techniques, leading to a shift in dominance towards Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. China's rise in table tennis began in earnest after the founding of the Chinese Table Tennis Association in 1952, with players like Rong Guotuan and Ma Long becoming legends in the sport.
China now leads the all-time medal table with 433.5 medals, followed by Hungary with 200.5 medals and Japan with 167 medals. The championships, which have been held biennially since 1957, have evolved in terms of rules and competition categories, reflecting the sport's modernization.
Doha previously hosted the event in 2004 and is elevating its sports status after successfully hosting events like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The upcoming championships will feature five main categories and serve as a platform for cultural exchange and diplomatic engagement between Asian and European nations.
The World Table Tennis Championships, from its humble beginnings in Europe to its grand stages in Asia, continues to inspire and adapt, showcasing the global reach and enduring appeal of the sport.