The World Championship trophies – the highest tributes to excellence in table tennis – have landed in Texas.

Next week, on Tuesday 23 November 2021, the World Table Tennis Championships Finals will open in Houston, set to become the first American city to host this event.

Houston is one of the largest cities in the United States and home to some of the best sports teams in the country. As the table tennis community can’t wait to discover the unique American flavour of this World Championships, the trophies were taken to the iconic stadiums of the city.

The world’s best players will face each other from 23-29 November at George R. Brown Convention Center. World number one Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng of China are amongst the galaxy of stars at the week-long table tennis spectacle. Adopting a revamped and expanded format for the first time, the flagship event 128 players in singles (Men and Women) and 64 pairs in each of the doubles competitions (Men Doubles, Women Doubles, Mixed Doubles) competing in a straight knockout format.

Historic table tennis superstars have hoisted this prestigious trophy high. These prestigious trophies have been hoisted high by the champions of champions, the elite of our sport.

Men’s Singles – St Bride Vase The prestigious St. Bride vase, awarded to the Men’s Singles World Champion, was donated by C. Corti Woodcock, who was a member of the St. Bride Table Tennis Club in London in 1929, in honour of Fred Perry winning the title at the 1929 World Championships in Budapest.

Women’s Singles – Geist Prize The Geist Prize awarded to the Women’s Singles Championship was donated in 1931 by President of the Hungarian Table Tennis Association, Dr. Gaspar Geist.

Men’s Doubles – Iran Cup The Iran Cup awarded to the Men’s Doubles World Champions, was donated at the 1947 World Championships by the Shah of Iran.

Women’s Doubles – W.J. Pope Trophy The W.J. Pope Trophy awarded to the Women’s Doubles World Champions, was donated in 1948 by W.J. Pope of England, who at the time was the ITTF Honorary General Secretary.

Follow all the actions online with the hashtags #Houston2021 #ITTFWorlds2021 and #NotJustPingPong. More information on the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships Finals is available on World Table Tennis website!