Introduction to Table Tennis in Asian Games
Table Tennis, also known as ping-pong, is an Olympic sport that has been a part of the Asian Games since its inception in 1958. The sport has enjoyed immense popularity in the Asian countries and has been a part of the Asian Games for over six decades now. Table Tennis was first introduced in the Asian Games in 1958 and since then the sport has made tremendous progress in terms of the number of participating countries, the number of events, and the skill level of the players.
History of Table Tennis in Asian Games
Table Tennis was first included in the Asian Games in 1958, when the first edition of the Games was held in Tokyo, Japan. The first Asian Table Tennis Championship was also held in Tokyo in 1960, and was won by Japan. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity and has been included in every edition of the Asian Games.
Table Tennis in Asian Games in the Last Decade
Table Tennis has been a part of the Asian Games since 1958 and has grown in popularity over the last decade. The number of participating countries, the number of events, and the skill level of the players has improved greatly over the years. In the 2018 Asian Games, 35 countries participated in the Table Tennis event and there were a total of 24 events.
Table Tennis Events at the Asian Games
Table Tennis events at the Asian Games include:
- Singles – This is a one-on-one match between two players.
- Doubles – This is a two-on-two match between four players.
- Team Event – This is a four-on-four match between eight players.
- Mixed Doubles – This is a two-on-two match between four players, two men and two women.
Most Successful Table Tennis Players in Asian Games
The most successful Table Tennis players in the Asian Games are:
- Wang Hao (China) – He has won the Gold medal in the Men’s Singles event in the 2006 Asian Games.
- Zhang Yining (China) – She has won the Gold medal in the Women’s Singles event in the 2006 Asian Games.
- Guo Yue (China) – She has won the Gold medal in the Women’s Singles event in the 2010 Asian Games.
- Ma Long (China) – He has won the Gold medal in the Men’s Singles event in the 2014 Asian Games.
Table Tennis in the 2020 Asian Games
The 2020 Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 10th to September 25th. Table Tennis will be included in the Games and there will be a total of 24 events. The 24 events include:
- Men’s Singles
- Women’s Singles
- Men’s Doubles
- Women’s Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
- Team Events (Men’s and Women’s)
Rules and Regulations of Table Tennis in Asian Games
Table Tennis follows the rules and regulations set by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF). The rules and regulations include:
- The match is played over the best of five sets, with each set being the best of 11 points.
- The players must alternate serves every two points.
- The server must serve from behind the end line and the receiver must be positioned at least 6 feet from the end line.
- The ball must be served over the net and must be returned to the server’s side of the table.
- The ball must be returned before bouncing more than once on the receiver’s side of the table.
- The ball must be hit with a paddle.
Equipment Used in Table Tennis in Asian Games
Table Tennis players in the Asian Games use the following equipment:
- Table – The table must be 2.74 meters long and 1.525 meters wide.
- Net – The net must be 15.25 cm high and 6.1 meters long.
- Paddle – The paddle must be made of rubber, wood, or a combination of both.
- Ball – The ball must be 40mm in diameter and made of celluloid.
Conclusion
Table Tennis has been a part of the Asian Games since its inception in 1958 and has grown in popularity over the years. The number of participating countries, the number of events, and the skill level of the players has improved greatly over the years. The 2020 Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China and Table Tennis will be included in the Games. The rules and regulations of the sport are set by the ITTF and the players use the specified equipment to compete in the events.