Social media was buzzing with life as four legends of Chinese Table Tennis visited the USA as part of a 30 strong delegation to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of China-US Ping Pong Diplomacy. Grand Slam Champion Ding Ning, three time Olympic Silver medalist Wang Hao, 2000 Olympic Doubles Champion Yang Sen and 2-time Olympic Doubles Gold Medalist Qiao Hong were part of the team to attend a trio of special events in America.



Hosted in Chicago by Killerspin House on Saturday 16th September, the 30 strong delegation from the Chinese Table Tennis Association were joined by 250 spectators and supporters who came to see the commemorations and exhibition events.



'Killerspin is happy to support the 45th anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy celebration. The original event initiated the improvement in the relationships between the US and China and I believe that the world is a better place for it. Killerspin supported the 30 and 40 year anniversary celebrations because we consider it to be an important part of our history and commitment to our support of peaceful relationships between people. ' - Killerspin CEO Robert Blackwell.



45 years ago table tennis played a significant role in thawing diplomatic relations between the US and China and potentially preventing war, it is an event which has been cemented in history and continues to be celebrated as the sport brings peace and well-being, bringing people together around the world. Learn more about the 1971 original Ping Pong Diplomacy in this article here.



Aside from the Killerspin House event in Chicago, the Olympic stars also attended an event at the United Nations in New York City where they competed in an exhibition style match against Paralympic Gold Medalist Tahl Leibovitz and 2016 US Olympian Tom Feng. Tahl Leibovitz showed some serious skill in his face-off with Ding Ning, pulling out his signature hand switch shots and adding other awesome tricks to the mix. See video below of Tom Feng taking on 2009 World Champion Wang Hao!

The delegation also headed to the University of Michigan, which hosted a special event to commemorate a long standing relationship with China. Back in 1972 the original Ping Pong Diplomacy team had visited Ann Arbor in Michigan and now to celebrate the 45 year anniversary they were back. Along with the 4 table tennis Olympians, two members of China's original 1972 team - Liang Geliang and Zheng Huaiying were joined by Connie and Dell Sweeris, both members of the 1972 US team. A very special reunion, no doubt, and one that was attended by 4-5,000 people as the University put on a Music and Table Tennis show.The show was more than just a special commemoration for NCTTA Alumni Pamela Song who was reunited with her old table tennis coach from China. Indeed from 10 years of age Pamela was taught by Liang Geliang, a member of the original 1972 Chinese team and Ping Pong Diplomacy delegation. She was thrilled to see her old coach, saying she visited him on trips to China but it had been 2 years since the last occasion. It was also a highlight for her to meet current Olympic Champion Ding Ning:'Once you become friends with her she is like so nice to you. At first she was so distancy but as we spent more time together and she found out Liang was my god father she was so nice to me. It's such a humbling experience! She asked me what my name was, what I studied in undergrad, my career plans. She was very relatable. I felt so honored.' - Pamela Song.The Chinese athletes played with some NCTTA players and also had some friendly doubles matches after the show, what a unique experience to get close to some of the true greats of the sport. From Pamela's many stories of the event, it is sure to be an event that everyone will remember for a lifetime.Three incredible events, a fitting commemoration for such a pivotal moment in history - not just for table tennis but for the world. We only hope that table tennis continues to be a force for promoting peace and unity around the world, smashing down barriers so we can all come together, regardless of race, gender, religion or physical ability.A special thank you to Killerspin House, the University of Michigan and the United Nations for putting on these superb events around the country. We wish the Chinese delegation a safe journey home.