I got to play Tokyo Olympics double-medalist Dimitrij Ovcharov at the 2013 LA Open after he had won two medals at the 2012 London Olympics. He is now the only player to have won 6 Olympic table-tennis medals. I was happy to have given him his toughest match at the LA Open losing 3-1. He narrowly lost to 5-time Olympic gold medalist Ma Long, arguably the GOAT, 11-9 in the deciding 7th game in Tokyo in the men’s singles semifinals.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXBxyMK2OSo[/embedyt]

2026 Fremont TTA Butterfly March Open tournament
The first tournament of 2026 hosted by Fremont Table Tennis Academy, the 2026 Fremont TTA Butterfly March Open, took place this past weekend featuring over 100 players battling it out in various age, rating, and open events. It took place at the usual nearby venue, the Siliman Center. The players to win multiple events were Ayaan Mohan (4 1st!) and Praful Bhaidasna (2 1st and 1 2nd). The next 3 singles tournament will take place on May 16, August 15, and October 17 followed by a Thanksgiving team tournament…

