The 12th Branch Cup Table Tennis Tournament of Haining Table Tennis Association

As autumn breezes bring refreshing coolness, table tennis fervor sweeps across Haining. On November 2, the 12th “Branch Cup” Table Tennis Tournament hosted by the Haining Table Tennis Association concluded successfully after two days of thrilling competition on the third floor of Xieqiao Town National Fitness Center. A time-honored hallmark of Haining’s table tennis community, the tournament stays true to its original aspiration of forging friendship through the sport and bonding hearts via matches. It has built a platform for enthusiasts across the city to polish skills and deepen camaraderie, showcasing the vibrant vitality of Haining’s sports culture with intense and inspiring games.

Organized by the Haining Table Tennis Association and undertaken by its Xieqiao Branch, the event received generous sponsorship from Haining Switchgear Factory Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Wanlihong Textile Technology Co., Ltd. and Haining Mianshang Knitting Co., Ltd., as well as strong support from the People’s Government of Xieqiao Town.

The tournament featured mixed team events, drawing 16 teams from 12 association branches across Haining. The competition was divided into two stages. In the first stage, teams were split into four groups for round-robin contests, with each side striving fiercely for the top-two berths to advance. The second stage adopted knockout and classification matches: group top contenders competed for ranks 1 to 8, while the rest vied for positions 9 to 16. All team matches followed the best-of-five format, and individual games adopted the best-of-five sets rule with 11 points per set. The tight schedule delivered nail-biting and spectacular clashes throughout the event.

On the court, players demonstrated superb skills with dazzling shots. Swift penhold and shakehand strokes, powerful looping shots and lightning-fast close-table attacks wowed the audience. Precise defenses and decisive smashes repeatedly ignited cheers and applause from spectators, making every team’s performance a highlight of the tournament.

After two days of fierce rivalry, the final rankings from 1st to 16th were officially decided.

Beyond trophies and applause, participants gained closer friendship and improved techniques. As Zhang Lizhong, Chairman of Haining Table Tennis Association, remarked at the opening ceremony: “Let table tennis be our bond, compete with courage, and carry forward the spirit of the sport.” The tournament fully fulfilled its goals of showcasing athletic prowess, embodying good sportsmanship, and reaping both outstanding results and sincere friendship.

The successful running of the “Branch Cup” has not only offered a splendid stage for local table tennis lovers but also consolidated the mass foundation of this popular sport. Officials from the Haining Table Tennis Association stated that the association will uphold the original vision of the tournament, cooperate with more towns, sub-districts and enterprises to launch a wider range of people-centered sports activities. It aims to make table tennis a powerful driving force for national fitness and the high-quality development of sports undertakings in Haining. We look forward to gathering all table tennis enthusiasts again at the next “Branch Cup” to write a new chapter for the sport in the city!