SAMCHOK — The 4th Clean Hydrogen City Samcheok National Open Table Tennis Tournament is set to kick off on Friday, November 6, running for a three-day run through Sunday, November 8, at the Samcheok Gymnasium.

Hosted by the Samcheok City Sports Council and organized by the Samcheok Table Tennis Association, the tournament will draw approximately 650 table tennis enthusiasts from across the nation. This includes 450 participants in the general division and 200 in the large-ball (largeball) division. Competitors will gather to showcase their skills, foster sportsmanship, and strengthen bonds beyond regional boundaries.

Schedule and Division Highlights

Day 1 (Friday, Nov. 6): The opening day features team and individual events for the largeball division, open to players aged 50 and older. Largeball table tennis utilizes a 44mm ball—larger and lighter than standard table tennis balls—which results in a slower pace, making it a popular and accessible sport for middle-aged and older adults.
Day 2 (Saturday, Nov. 7): Competition shifts to the general division, hosting individual singles and individual doubles matches.
Day 3 (Sunday, Nov. 8): The tournament concludes with the general division team matches.

Tournament Format and Awards

Matches will be categorized by skill tier, starting with group-stage round-robins followed by a single-elimination tournament. Handicaps will be applied between different skill tiers to ensure fair competition.

Winning teams in the team events will be awarded cash prizes, while victors in the individual and doubles categories will receive special prizes.

City Support and Outlook

A local government official stated, "We hope this tournament, hosted in the clean hydrogen city of Samcheok, serves as a meaningful platform for harmony and exchange among table tennis enthusiasts nationwide. We will do our utmost to provide thorough support so that all participants can enjoy the sport safely."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]