Southwest Championships Kick Off the 2026 USATT Regional Championship Series
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by Vlad Farcas
The 2026 USATT Regional Championship Series launches this weekend (February 13-15th) with the USATT Southwest Championships, welcoming more than 180 athletes to the brand-new Houston International Table Tennis Academy in Houston, TX. The event features age, rating, and open categories across 30 events, with a total prize purse of $8,000. This once a year event, sets the tone for high-level competition to come across the five USATT regions.
Youth athletes will compete for USATT National Team Ranking points, while adult players will earn USATT Ranking points under the senior system. Several juniors are scheduled to compete following their standout performances at the USATT Junior National Ranking Tournament 1 in January: Andrew Huang (4th, U15 Boys), Anya Shanbhag (1st, U13 Girls), Allen Mao (1st, U11 Boys), and Daniel Tran (1st, U19 Boys) headline the list of players to watch as they compete this weekend.
The Men’s Singles draw offers a compelling blend of international experience and elite domestic talent. The field includes former Cuban international Eday Gomez and Puerto Rico representative Oscar Birriel, alongside Andrew Cao, a Katy-area standout who reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 US Open. Joining him is Daniel Tran, a Katy resident and current U.S. Adult National Team member.
On the Women’s Singles side, the field is composed entirely of junior athletes within a similar rating range—highlighting the strong women’s player development achieved in the region over the past decade through HITTA’s programs.
Results will be updated live on Stadium, with selected matches streamed from the main court by HITTA.
The USATT Regional Series is proudly supported by DHS Sports, with the official ball being the Nittaku Premium 40+ provided by Paddle Palace. Additional prize support is provided by HITTA sponsor STL – Satellite Chemical.
