table tennis
Japanese Name:
卓球
Romaji Name:
takkyuu
Description
↓↓
Table tennis, also called ping-pong, is a sport where two or four players hit a small, lightweight ball back and forth across a table using paddles. The table has a net in the middle, and players score points when their opponent cannot return the ball properly. Table tennis requires quick reflexes, concentration, and skill.
History
↓↓
Table tennis originated in England in the late 19th century as a parlor game for the upper class. It was initially called "ping pong," a name that mimicked the sound made when the ball hit the paddle and table.
The game was originally played on a dining table using makeshift equipment such as books for nets and rounded tops of cigars for paddles. It quickly gained popularity and evolved into a competitive sport.
The first official rules were established in the early 1900s.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) was founded in 1926, and the first World Championships were held that same year.
Table tennis became an Olympic sport in 1988, showcasing top-level international competition.
Today, table tennis is popular worldwide, especially in Asia (China, Japan, South Korea) and Europe, with millions of players and fans enjoying both recreational and professional play.