March 14, 2008

Cary Hosting Ping Pong World Pro's

By Ted Jurnigan, Raleigh Chronicle
CARY - If you thought ping-pong was played for big bucks just in the Forrest Gump movie, you might want to check out a free event in Cary this weekend. Players from all over the world are attending the fast-paced Cary Cup Table Tennis Championship this weekend.

According to the Town of Cary, more than 300 international athletes will gather in Cary to play in the Butterfly Cary Cup Championship, the largest round robin table tennis competition in the United States.

The event will be held at the Bond Park Community Center, 150 Metro Drive in Cary and is free and open to the public.

Players from the US, China, Canada, Nigeria, South America, and Europe are scheduled to appear.

"We're pleased to host this event that attracts more international participants than any other non-team event in the country," said Cary's Recreation Manager Dwayne Jones.

More than 30 top seed athletes are expected to play including Nigerian Segun Toriola, Zhen Wang (Canada #2), Han Xiao (US #5) and Eric Owens (US #13).

The top-notch event is a 4-star sanctioned competition by USA Table Tennis and is the last major competition for American and Canadian athletes before the Olympic Team Trials in April.

Also, the public can participate in free clinics if they bring their own paddle.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, March 14

Table Tennis Skills/Techniques Clinic for beginners 4 - 5pm; (FREE but show up with a racquet (and) pre-registration is required directly at Bond Park Community Center)
U2500 Doubles 5:30pm
U4200 Doubles 6:00pm
U3300 Doubles 7:00pm
OPEN Doubles 7:30pm
U.S. Classic Open 4:00pm

Saturday, March 15

9am-6:30pm: "Giant Snake Seed" Round Robin
(88 of top US players)

Sunday, March 16

Beginner Event/First-time Player Event
(i.e., U-1350 Event) from 9am to 4pm

Finals of A Class Cary Cup Championship; 10am to 2pm