2026 USATT Texas State Championships Legacy Continues in San Antonio

The 2026 USATT Texas State Championships are set to take place from April 17–19 in San Antonio, Texas, hosted by the San Antonio Table Tennis Club (SATTC). As part of the growing USATT State Series, this event continues to elevate the profile of table tennis across the United States—bringing together top talent, passionate amateurs, and rising juniors from across the state.

Building Momentum in the USATT State Series

Texas marks the second USATT State Series event of 2026, following the highly successful USATT South Carolina Open held at the end of February. That event drew over 90 participants, making it one of the largest State Series tournaments so far.

San Antonio is already surpassing expectations, with over 130 entries registered, signaling continued growth and enthusiasm for competitive table tennis in the Lone Star State.

A Rich History Dating Back Decades

The Texas State Championships carry a long and proud tradition within USATT, with results in the ratings history dating back to 1997. Some of the early champions helped shape the foundation of modern table tennis in Texas, including Viktor Subonj, who captured the title in 1997, and Eric Owens, who followed with his victory in 1998.

These names remain important figures in Texas table tennis history, representing an era that helped spark the growth and competitive spirit the state enjoys today.

A Growing Tradition in Texas

The USATT Texas State Championships have consistently attracted strong participation and high-level play:

• 2025 (San Antonio) – 98 participants
  Men’s Champion: Andrew Cao (Katy, TX)
  Women’s Champion: Shandra Qiu (Austin, TX)
• 2024 (Texas Wesleyan University) – 119 participants
  Men’s Champion: Jonathan McDonald
  Women’s Champion: Jiaqi Lin
• 2023 (San Antonio) – 132 participants
  Men’s Champion: Shahin Akhlaghpasand
  Women’s Champion: Deng Zhen

With 2026 already exceeding 130 entries, the tournament is on track to match—or even surpass—the record participation seen in recent years.

Cyril Mayeux, President of the San Antonio Table Tennis Club, shared his excitement ahead of the event:

“We are thrilled to once again welcome players, coaches, and families from across Texas and beyond to San Antonio. The growth of this event year after year reflects the incredible passion for table tennis in our community. On behalf of SATTC, we look forward to hosting an unforgettable championship weekend and providing a competitive yet welcoming environment for everyone involved.”

Texas: A Hotbed of Table Tennis Growth

Texas has become one of the fastest-growing table tennis regions in the United States—not only because of its expanding club network, but also due to its ability to host major national and international events.

In recent years, Texas has been the stage for some of the sport’s biggest competitions, including the 2019 US Open Table Tennis Championships, the 2021 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships, the 2022 and 2023 US National Table Tennis Championships, as well as the 2024 ITTF Pan American Cup.

These high-profile events have played a crucial role in inspiring participation, attracting international attention, and strengthening the competitive pathway for athletes across the state.

This momentum is further supported by a rapidly expanding club ecosystem:

• Houston International Table Tennis Academy – A powerhouse program contributing numerous athletes to U.S. Junior and Adult National Teams, recently expanded into a 30+ table facility and host of a WTT Youth Contender event.
• And following new centers opened in the last couple years:
• LoneStar Table Tennis Academy – Developing a strong youth pipeline with a rapidly growing junior program.
• Topspin USA Table Tennis Club – A newer USATT club in Dallas hosting multiple sanctioned events.
• 5C Table Tennis Center – Emerging as a key development hub with a strong youth focus.
• Texas Table Tennis Club at Vistara Sports – A modern venue contributing to the tournament ecosystem.

Alongside these newer programs, long-standing pillars continue to support and grow the sport across the state, having laid the foundation for table tennis in Texas over many years.

• El Paso Table Tennis Club
• San Antonio Table Tennis Club
• Texas Table Tennis Training Center
• Austin Table Tennis Club
• DFW Table Tennis Club

Together, these clubs create a vibrant and competitive ecosystem that continues to drive participation and performance at all levels.

Looking Ahead

With strong historical roots dating back to the late 1990s, increasing participation, and the ability to host world-class events, the 2026 USATT Texas State Championships are poised to be one of the standout events of the USATT calendar.

As players gather in San Antonio this April, they won’t just be competing for titles—they’ll be part of a legacy that spans decades and continues to push table tennis to new heights across Texas and the United States.